Random access memory (RAM) is a type of physical data storage that can be used to read and write data to so it can be accessed by a computer’s CPU (central processing unit). RAM is considerably faster than the hard disk drive memory used to store fi les and, as such, allows data to be processed more effi ciently. Importantly, unlike hard disk memory, RAM is volatile and does not retain info after power is cut to the machine, resetting for future usage. Today, DDR SDRAM – or double data rate synchronous random access memory – is popular as it provides a high bandwidth for fast reading and writing. Apart from use in PCs, today RAM is also present on most smartphones.
