13. RAM, Read/Write Memory

• Commonly referred to as random access memory, RAM:

  • Volatile memories.

• Two basic RAM types:

  1. Static RAM, SRAM:

     • Retains data with no further maintenance.

     • Typically used for CPU registers and cache memory.

  2. Dynamic RAM, DRAM:

     • A tiny capacitor is used to store one bit.

     • Due to leakage of charge, DRAMs must be refreshed to retain contents.

     • Read operation is destructive in DRAMs.