Random-access memory

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"RAM" redirects here. For the Daft Punk album, see Random Access Memories. For
other uses, see Ram (disambiguation).

Computer memory types

Volatile

RAM

DRAM (e.g., DDR SDRAM) �

SRAM (e.g., (QDR SSRAM)

Historical

Williams�Kilburn tube (1946�47) �

Delay line memory (1947) �
Mellon optical memory (1951) �
Selectron tube (1952) �
Dekatron �
T-RAM (2009) �
Z-RAM (2002�2010)

Non-volatile

ROM

Mask ROM �
PROM �
EPROM �
EEPROM

NVRAM

Flash memory �
Solid-state storage �
3D XPoint

Early stage NVRAM

nvSRAM �
FeRAM �
MRAM �
PRAM

Mechanical

Magnetic tape �
Hard disk drive �
Optical disc drive

In development

CBRAM �
SONOS �
RRAM �
Racetrack memory �
NRAM �
Millipede memory �
FJG RAM

Historical

Paper data storage (1725) �

Drum memory (1932) �
Magnetic-core memory (1949) �
Plated wire memory (1957) �
Core rope memory (1960s) �
Thin-film memory (1962) �
Twistor memory (~1968) �
Bubble memory (~1970) �
Floppy disk (1971)

v �
t �
e

Example of writable volatile random-access memory: Synchronous Dynamic RAM

modules, primarily used as main memory in personal computers, workstations, and
servers.
Random-access memory (RAM /r�m/) is a form of computer data storage that stores
data and machine code currently being used. A random-access memory device allows
data items to be read or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of
the physical location of data inside the memory. In contrast, with other direct-
access data storage media such as hard disks, CD-RWs, DVD-RWs and the older
magnetic tapes and drum memory, the time required to read and write data items
varies significantly depending on their physical locations on the recording medium,
due to mechanical limitations such as media rotation speeds and arm movement.

RAM contains multiplexing and demultiplexing circuitry, to connect the data lines
to the addressed storage for reading or writing the entry. Usually more than one
bit of storage is accessed by the same address, and RAM devices often have multiple
data lines and are said to be "8-bit" or "16-bit", etc. devices.

In today's technology, random-access memory takes the form of integrated circuits.

RAM is normally associated with volatile types of memory (such as DRAM modules),
where stored information is lost if power is removed, although non-volatile RAM has
also been developed.[1] Other types of non-volatile memories exist that allow
random access for read operations, but either do not allow write operations or have
other kinds of limitations on them. These include most types of ROM and a type of
flash memory called NOR-Flash.

Integrated-circuit RAM chips came into the market in the early 1970s, with the
first commercially available DRAM chip, the Intel 1103, introduced in October 1970.
[2]