128GB RAM

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory or RAM is a form of memory utilised by the CPU to store the data required for a computer to operate. Similar to an SSD, your PC can read and write information into RAM for later use. Unlike an SSD, RAM is volatile and not a form of permanent storage. This means that when it does not receive power, anything stored on the RAM is lost. A computer’s CPU utilises RAM to store vital information that is being actively used, such as your operating system. This is because RAM offers both near-instantaneous speeds and low latencies, allowing your CPU to better process programs. Even with the advent of NVMe, storage drives cannot compete with these speeds.

The Random Access in RAM refers to data being read and written to random sectors in the memory. RAM can store this data dynamically (DRAM), where the memory is refreshed thousands of times per second. Alternatively, data can be stored in RAM in static positions (SRAM), which does not require refreshing. Because of this, SRAM is faster than DRAM but has the disadvantage of being much more expensive. Most RAM kits available commercially are DRAM.

To improve the performance of DRAM, it is synchronised with the memory controller, which is referred to as SDRAM. By doing this, multiple processes can be queued up for lightning quick execution. This form of RAM was further enhanced with the advent of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory, whereby the memory can send and receive signals twice per clock cycle. Since its introduction in 2000, DDR has gone through multiple generations each boasting greater clock speeds and reduced power consumption. For example, DDR5 offers speeds that can exceed 7000MHz and operates at 1.1V, while DDR4 can reach speeds over 4000MHz and utilises 1.2V of power.