Computer RAM

Computer RAM (random access memory) is a volatile data storage device. It is used by the computer to temporarily store data. When the computer is turned off all the data stored on the computer memory is lost.


The words 'random access memory' refers to the fact that any byte of data can be accessed directly by the computer instead of it searching in order till it finds it (such as in a cassette tape).


RAM operates at very fast speeds and is crucial to the health of a computer. RAM was measured in ns (nanoseconds) which equals one billionth of a second but with the introduction of SDRAM is now measured in MHz (megahertz).


Computer memory (RAM) is placed into the memory slots of a motherboard meaning that it is easy to upgrade or swap if the memory breaks. Computer memory is needed for everything so it is important to have enough.
Types of RAM
There are two basic types of RAM: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM). Dynamic RAM is the more common and needs to refreshed thousands of times per second. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed making a lot faster but also much more expensive.


To find out more information about the different types of RAM click on the type of RAM below that you want to learn about.








What does RAM do?
Operating systems, application programs such as Microsoft word, Firefox or a game program are kept in the RAM so as to be quickly accessed by the CPU. Computer RAM is much faster then other storage devices but it will lose all its information when the computer is switched off. When you turn your computer on again then the information is loaded from the hard drive or CD drive back to the RAM and the process begins again.

Computer Motherboards

Computer Motherboards are an important part of the computer.


Definition of a motherboard: 

A motherboard is the mother to all the computer parts. In other words, everything in a computer connects to the motherboard.


This page links to some valuable motherboard articles. These articles explain what a motherboard is, and how to choose a motherboard and it also links to some motherboard reviews. You can add your own review and even buy a motherboard.

PROCESSOR

A computer cpu is the brain that runs a computer. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the core chip to a computer. It is placed in the cpu socket and from here it forms an electrical interface with the motherboard. A CPU is the most important part in a computer.

Whenever people talk and brag about their computer they always talk about their CPU first. They say, 'its a Pentium 4, 3.0 Ghz' or 'its a Q6600, Quad Core beast'. Whenever minimum requirements are mentioned on the back of software packages, the CPU processor is the most important piece of information.No matter how much RAM (Random Access Memory) or Hard Drive space you have, the CPU dictates whether the program will run on the computer or not.

Modern processors have millions of transistors placed onto the little square which is called a die. The CPU is responsible for processing codes and instructions through to the motherboard which sends the information through to the graphics card where it then travels to your monitor and then appears on your screen.

AMD, Cyrix and Intel are the major CPU manufacturers. Intel released the first CPU processor which was the 4004 in the year of 1971. It ran at 740kHz (740,000 hertz) compared to the more modern computers that can run up to 3Ghz (3,000,000,000 hertz).


Intel just released the new i7 CPUs. I have just reviewed the best of the lot the: Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition Processors. Be sure to check it out!


A computer CPU is measured in megahertz (Mhz) and more recently gigahertz (Ghz). This is generally called the clock speed of the CPU. The higher the amount ofhertz the greater amounts of cycles can be completed and more information will be processed. However, along with faster processors comes more heat and thus bigger and better fans have been placed onto CPUs to keep them cooler.However it is important to understand that megahertz and gigahertz are not the only way to define how good a CPU is. Read this article on the megahertz myth and understand what I am talking about or learn how to choose a CPU with this article.Have any questions on CPUs and Processors? Go to my new forum and post your question there?