The main difference between RAM and ROM is that RAM can only hold data whilst and electrical current is being passed through it, so when you turn your PC off all data held in RAM is erased. ROM is used to store data, within the memory chip. RAM is faster in terms of response time, so is used as the main memory for the computer. Main memory is used to hold data before it is processed by the CPU.
The main type of memory in use today is DDR SDRAM
(Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). It is used
as it is incredibly quick and becoming very affordable. This particular
memory type is bought in DDR DIMMS (Double Data Rate Dual In Line Memory
Module), these are small circuit boards with 168 pins which are inserted
into the motherboard. The type of memory that the motherboard will take
is dependant on chipset and processor type (please refer to motherboard
manual if unsure). The diagram below is of a DDR DIMM
Peter
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Last modified Tuesday, June 18, 2003 8:56 PM
