What is RAM, and what does it do?

Are you familiar with the term “Random Access Memory” and what it refers to? How much random access memory (RAM) do you even need? The whole guide may be found here.

Random-Access Memory, or RAM, is a type of computer memory that may temporarily store tiny quantities of data crucial to computer programs’ operation, including the operating system itself. RAM is also used for other purposes.

RAM is a sort of volatile Memory, meaning it can only store data once the device is switched on. However, RAM is far quicker than SSDs or HDDs.

When building a gaming PC (or any PC, for that matter), there are several components to keep in mind, each of which is vital for the system’s proper functioning. Keeping track of these components is essential to ensuring that the computer can fulfill its intended purpose. Random access memory (RAM) is one of those crucial components.

Having stated that, the topic of discussion in this post will be RAM; can you tell me more about it? What does it do? What kinds of RAM are there to choose from? What is the minimum amount that a gaming computer should have?

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, continue reading this guide, as we will answer all those questions below.

What exactly is RAM?

Let’s begin with the fundamental question: what is RAM?

Random-Access Memory is a type of Memory that is used to temporarily store relatively small amounts of essential data that the central processing unit (CPU) or the graphics processing unit (GPU) need to be able to access quickly so that all of the programs that are running on the computer can function correctly. The acronym for this type of Memory is RAM, which stands for “Random-Access Memory.”

In addition, random access memory (RAM) is volatile, implying that it can only retain data so long as power is supplied to the device. Therefore, any data that was put into the RAM before the power supply shut off is immediately lost in this scenario.

As a result, it is pretty evident why RAM is not utilized for long-term storage and that its value comes in its speed, which is far superior to those supplied by even the fastest SSDs available on the market.

We might say that RAM is your computer’s short-term Memory, while the hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) would be considered long-term Memory.

What Kinds Of RAM Are There To Choose From?

Like every other technology, RAM has evolved and progressed substantially throughout its history. However, RAM (random access memory) can trace its roots back to the 1960s when the first chips using static random-access Memory (SRAM) technology were developed. Since that time, it has been created and put to use alongside DRAM (dynamic random-access Memory), which has been in use for about half a century.

However, the first SDRAM chips appeared in the early 1990s. SDRAM is an abbreviation that stands for synchronous dynamic random-access Memory. Then, in June of 1998, Samsung was the company that introduced the very first DDR SDRAM chip. DDR is an abbreviation that stands for “double data rate.”

From this point forward, DDR would ultimately control the market. DDR2 was initially introduced by Samsung in 2001, while DDR3 came shortly after in 2003. However, DDR4 wouldn’t be available until 2011, even though it is currently the most popular form of RAM. DDR5 is right around the corner, but it will be a bit before it replaces DDR4 in the general market. However, DDR5 will soon be available.

It is also important to note that shortly after SDRAM was introduced to the market, another form of Memory called SGRAM, which stands for synchronous graphics random-access Memory, became available. And in addition to developing the very first DDR chips, Samsung also invented the first GDDR chips. The “G” in the acronym GDDR stands for “graphics,” as you might have guessed from the name of the technology.

In a manner quite similar to that of “normal” DDR, GDDR has undergone development throughout its history, from the very first GDDR chips to the significantly quicker GDDR6 currently being utilized in the majority of the most recent commercial graphics cards.

However, GDDR isn’t the only kind of graphics memory that you’ll find integrated into current graphics cards. DDR and DDR2 are also standard options. For example, SK Hynix presented the first HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) chips in 2013, and then in 2016, the company gave HBM2 chips, which have since been included in various graphics cards.

However, due to the high manufacturing costs and the limited benefits that high bandwidth offered in terms of in-game performance, HBM2 never posed a threat to GDDR in the mainstream market. However, it can provide significant benefits in workstations that run memory-intensive software. HBM2 never posed a danger to GDDR in the mainstream market due to the high manufacturing costs and the limited usefulness of increased bandwidth.

When everything is said and done, the present status of the RAM market is not quite as convoluted as you would imagine it to be based on the abundance of acronyms that have been stated in this article. DDR4 is still used in most personal computers (PCs) today, and DDR5 won’t replace it for some time. Meanwhile, GDDR is used by an overwhelming number of graphics cards. GDDR5 was the industry standard until a few years ago. However, GDDR6 has since supplanted it as the predominant memory kind.

How Much Is Random Access Memory Necessary?

When it comes to putting together a personal computer, one of the most often asked is, “exactly how much RAM is enough?”

According to most experts, the current sweet spot is 16 gigabytes if we are talking about a personal computer for gaming. It is sufficient to run even the most recent games and is quite future-proof. Even if it’s not the most future-proof choice, 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) should be plenty for individuals on a limited budget.

There is no need to spend more money on RAM sticks with a bigger capacity unless you intend to use the computer with some memory-intensive professional program that might use all of that extra Memory. In this case, it would be worthwhile to invest.

If, on the other hand, we are discussing personal computers that would only be used for the most fundamental tasks, such as accessing the internet or watching multimedia content, then even 4 gigabytes of Memory could be sufficient to meet the PC’s memory requirements. Of course, it should go without saying that having more RAM may always benefit when it comes to multitasking.

How Much Memory Should You Have in Your RAM?

When it comes to purchasing RAM, memory capacity is unquestionably the single most crucial consideration to bear in mind; nevertheless, speed is another issue that cannot be ignored.

The speed of random access memory (RAM) is measured in Hertz, just as the clock speed of a central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU). The data transfer rates enabled by the RAM module are directly proportional to the clock speed. The greater the clock speed, the higher the data transfer rates. In today’s market, you may get DDR4 RAM modules with clock speeds ranging from 2133 MHz up to a staggering 5100 MHz; however, most standard DDR4 sticks are limited to frequencies between 2133-3600 MHz.

The critical question at this point is, how big of an impact does RAM speed have on gaming performance?

The honest answer is that not even close to that. There is certainly a distinction, and although it could be a little easier to spot in some games that make heavy use of Memory, it boils down to a relatively small number of frames in most cases. Suppose we are talking about framerates in the triple digits and displays with high refresh rates. In that case, the performance difference will only be significantly evident in those specific circumstances.

It is always a better idea to devote more money towards a more powerful GPU rather than overclocked RAM if you are concerned about the performance of your gaming system. This is true regardless of the game.

Conclusion

And with that, we have concluded this post! I sincerely hope that you have found this article informative and helped clear up any confusion you may have had regarding the function that RAM performs in a personal computer.

Check out some of our premade gaming PCs if you’re currently creating a new gaming computer; among them, you’re likely to find one that meets both your requirements and your financial constraints.