Volatile memory
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Computer memory and data
storage types
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General
Volatile
show
RAM
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Historical
Non-volatile
show
ROM
show
NVRAM
show
Early stage NVRAM
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Analog recording
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Optical
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In development
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Historical
v
t
e
Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memory that
requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered
on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly lost.
Volatile memory has several uses including as primary storage. In addition to usually
being faster than forms of mass storage such as a hard disk drive, volatility can protect
sensitive information, as it becomes unavailable on power-down. Most general-
purpose random-access memory (RAM) is volatile.[1]
Types[edit]
There are two kinds of volatile RAM: dynamic and static. Even though both types need
continuous electrical current to retain data, there are some important differences
between them.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is very popular due to its cost-effectiveness. DRAM stores each
bit of information in a different capacitor within the integrated circuit. DRAM chips need
just one single capacitor and one transistor to store each bit of information. This makes
it space-efficient and inexpensive. [2]
The main advantage of static RAM (SRAM) is that it is much faster than dynamic RAM.
Its disadvantage is its high price. SRAM does not need continuous electrical refreshes,
but it still requires constant current to sustain the difference in voltage. Every single bit
in a static RAM chip needs a cell of six transistors, whereas dynamic RAM requires only
one capacitor and one transistor. As a result, SRAM is unable to accomplish the storage
capabilities of the DRAM family.[3] SRAM is commonly used as CPU cache and
for processor registers and in networking devices.
