RAM

Updated: 09/03/2019 by Computer Hope

Alternatively referred to as main memory, primary memory, or system memory, RAM (random-

access memory) is a hardware device that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer.
RAM is usually associated with DRAM, which is a type of memory module. Because information is
accessed randomly instead of sequentially like it is on a CD or hard drive, access times are much faster.
However, unlike ROM, RAM is a volatile memory and requires power to keep the data accessible. If the
computer is turned off, all data contained in RAM is lost.
Table of differences

Topic ROM RAM

Storage ROM is non-volatile, not requiring power to store RAM is volatile, requiring power to store data.
capabilities data.
Uses ROM is often used to store the BIOS program on a RAM is used in computers to temporarily store files
computer motherboard. ROM was used as the in use on the computer.
storage media in a Nintendo, Gameboy, and Sega
Genesis game cartridge.
Storage ROM chips often have a storage capacity of 4 to RAM chips often range in storage capacity from 1 to
capacity 8 MB. 256 GB.
Physical size ROM can vary in size from less than an inch in RAM is available in two primary sizes, whether used
length to multiple inches in length and width, in a desktop computer or a laptop. Desktop RAM is
depending on their use. about 5 ½ inches in length and 1 inch in width.
Laptop RAM is about half the length of desktop
RAM.
Further explanation of differences
Storage capabilities of ROM and RAM
A ROM chip is a non-volatile storage medium, which means it does not require a constant source of
power to retain the information stored on it. By contrast, a RAM chip is volatile, which means it loses any
information it is holding when the power is turned off. Essentially, ROM is meant for permanent storage,
and RAM is for temporary storage.
Uses of ROM and RAM
A ROM chip is used primarily in the startup process of a computer, whereas a RAM chip is used in the
normal operations after the operating system is loaded. For example, a ROM chip is often used to store
the BIOS program on the computer motherboard. A RAM chip temporarily stores files in use on a
computer, like a document you're writing, an image you're editing, or data for a game you're playing.
Storage capacity of ROM and RAM

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A ROM chip stores several MB (megabytes) of data, usually 4 to 8 MB per chip, whereas a RAM chip
can store multiple GB (gigabytes) of data, ranging from 1 to 256 GB per chip.
Computer ROM
A good example of ROM is the computer BIOS, which is a PROM chip that stores the programming
needed to begin the initial computer startup process. Using a non-volatile storage medium is the only way
to begin this process for computers and other devices. ROM chips were also used in gaming system
cartridges, like the original Nintendo, Gameboy, Sega Genesis, and others.

The oldest ROM-type storage medium can be dated back to 1932 with drum memory. ROM-type storage
is still used today.
Computer RAM
RAM chips are used in computers, as well as other devices, to store temporary information produced by
programs quickly. RAM is one of the fastest types of memory, allowing it to switch quickly between
tasks. For example, the Internet browser you are using to read this page is loaded into RAM and is
running from it.

Two main types of RAM are:

 Static RAM
 Dynamic RAM

Static RAM
Static RAM is the full form of SRAM. In this type of RAM, data is stored using the
state of a six transistor memory cell. Static RAM is mostly used as a cache memory
for the processor (CPU).

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Dynamic RAM
DRAM stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is a type of RAM which
allows you to stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor within a specific integrated
circuit. Dynamic RAM is a standard computer memory of the many modern desktop
computers.

This type of RAM is a volatile memory that needs to be refreshed with voltage
regularly. Else it loses the information stored on it.

SRAM VS DRAM
SRAM DRAM

SRAM has lower access time, so it is faster compared to DRAM has higher access time, so
DRAM. it is slower than SRAM.

SRAM is costlier than DRAM. DRAM costs less compared to

SRAM.

SRAM requires a constant power supply, which means DRAM offers reduced power
this type of memory which consumes more power. consumption because the
information is stored in the
capacitor.

It is a complex internal circuitry, and it offers less It is the small internal circuitry in
storage capacity is available compared to the same the one-bit memory cell of
physical size of a DRAM memory chip. DRAM. The large storage
capacity is available.

SRAM has a low packaging density. DRAM has a high packaging

density.

Key Differences Between SRAM and DRAM

1. SRAM is an on-chip memory whose access time is small while DRAM is an off-
chip memory which has a large access time. Therefore SRAM is faster than DRAM.
2. DRAM is available in larger storage capacity while SRAM is of smaller size.
3. SRAM is expensive whereas DRAM is cheap.

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 4. The cache memory is an application of SRAM. In contrast, DRAM is used in main
memory.
5. DRAM is highly dense. As against, SRAM is rarer.
6. The construction of SRAM is complex due to the usage of a large number of transistors.
On the contrary, DRAM is simple to design and implement.
7. In SRAM a single block of memory requires six transistors whereas DRAM needs just
one transistor for a single block of memory.
8. DRAM is named as dynamic, because it uses capacitor which produces leakage
current due to the dielectric used inside the capacitor to separate the conductive plates is
not a perfect insulator hence require power refresh circuitry. On the other hand, there is no
issue of charge leakage in the SRAM.
9. Power consumption is higher in DRAM than SRAM. SRAM operates on the principle of
changing the direction of current through switches whereas DRAM works on holding the
charges.

Partition
10. A partition is a section of a storage device, such as a hard disk drive or solid
state drive. It is treated by the operating system as a separate logical volume,
which makes it function similar to a separate physical device.
11. A storage device may be formatted with one or more partitions. Some operating
systems, such as Windows and Linux require multiple partitions, while others
like macOS may only require one. Windows stores system files in a "System
Partition" and user data files in data partition. Some Windows drives may also
include a "Recovery Partition," which stores files used by the Windows
Recovery Environment (WinRE). This partition is used to repair problems that
prevent the operating system from booting.

How to Partition a Hard Drive

Hard drives must be partitioned before being formatted in Windows
by 
Tim Fisher

Updated on April 15, 2020

reviewed by
Michelle Adeola Adelufosi

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Windows
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The first thing to do after installing a hard drive is to partition it. You have to partition a hard
drive, and then format it, before you can use it to store data.
To partition a hard drive in Windows means to section off a part of it and make that part
available to the operating system. Most of the time, the "part" of the hard drive is the entire
usable space, but creating multiple partitions on a hard drive is also possible so that you can store
backup files in one partition, movies in another, etc.
Don't worry if this sounds like more than you thought—partitioning a hard drive in Windows
isn't hard and usually only takes a few minutes to do.
Manually partitioning (as well as formatting) a hard drive is not necessary if your end goal is to
install Windows onto the drive. Both of those processes are included as part of the installation
procedure, meaning you don't need to prepare the drive yourself. See How to Clean Install
Windows for more help.
This guide can be used from Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows
XP.
How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows
1. Open Disk Management, the tool included in all versions of Windows that lets you
partition drives, among a number of other things.

In Windows 10 and Windows 8/8.1, the Power User Menu is the easiest way to start Disk
Management. You can also start Disk Management via command-line in any version of
Windows, but the Computer Management method is probably best for most people.
See What Version of Windows Do I Have? if you're not sure.
2. When Disk Management opens, you should see an Initialize Disk window with the
message "You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it."

In Windows XP, you'll see an Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard screen instead. Follow that
wizard, making sure to not select the option to "convert" the disk, unless you're sure you need to.
Skip to Step 4 when done.
Don't worry if this window doesn't appear. There are legitimate reasons you may not see it—
we'll know soon if there's a problem or not. Skip down to Step 4 if you don't see this.

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 3. On this screen, you're asked to choose a partition style for the new hard drive.
Choose GPT if the new hard drive you installed is 2 TB or larger. Choose MBR if it's
smaller than 2 TB.
Choose OK after making your selection.
How Much Disk Space Do You Have Left? Here's How to Tell 
4. Locate the hard drive you want to partition from the drive map at the bottom of the Disk
Management window.
You might need to maximize the Disk Management or Computer Management window to see all
the drives on the bottom. An unpartitioned drive will not show up in the drive list at the top of
the window.
If the hard drive is new, it will probably be on a dedicated row labeled Disk 1 (or 2, etc.) and will
say Unallocated. If the space you want to partition is part of an existing drive, you'll
see Unallocated next to existing partitions on that drive.
If you don't see the drive you want to partition, you may have installed it incorrectly. Turn off
your computer and double-check that the hard drive is properly installed.
5. Once you've found the space you want to partition, tap-and-hold or right-click anywhere
on it, and choose New Simple Volume.

In Windows XP, the option is called New Partition.

6. Choose Next > on the New Simple Volume Wizard window that appeared.

In Windows XP, a Select Partition Type screen appears next, where you should choose Primary
partition. The Extended partition option is useful only if you're creating five or more partitions
on a single physical hard drive. Select Next > after making the selection.
7. Choose Next > on the Specify Volume Size step to confirm the size of the drive you're
creating.

The default size that you see in the Simple volume size in MB: field should equal the amount
shown in the Maximum disk space in MB: field. This means that you're creating a partition that
equals the total available space on the physical hard drive.
You're welcome to create multiple partitions, that will eventually become multiple, independent
drives in Windows. To do so, calculate how many and how large you want those drives to be and
repeat these steps to create those partitions. For example, if the drive is 61437 MB and you want
to partitions, specify an initial size of 30718 to partition only half the drive, and then repeat the
partitioning again for the rest of the Unallocated space.

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 8. Select Next > on the Assign Drive Letter or Path step, assuming the default drive letter
you see is OK with you.

Windows automatically assigns the first available drive letter, skipping A & B, which on most
computers will be D or E. You're welcome to set the Assign the following drive letter option to
anything that's available.
You're also welcome to change the letter assigned to this hard drive later on if you want.
See How to Change Drive Letters in Windows for help doing that.
9. Choose Do not format this volume on the Format Partition step, and then select Next >.

If you know what you're doing, feel free to format the drive as part of this process. However,
since this tutorial focuses on partitioning a hard drive in Windows, we've left the formatting to
another tutorial, linked in the last step below.
10. Verify your choices on the Completing the New Simple Volume Wizard screen, which
should look something like this:

 Volume Type: Simple Volume

 Disk selected: Disk 1
 Volume size: 61437 MB
 Drive letter or path: F:
 File system: None
 Allocation unit size: Default
Because your computer and hard drive are unlikely exactly like mine, expect your Disk
selected, Volume size, and Drive letter or path values to be different than what you see here. File
system: None just means that you've decided not to also format the drive right now.
11. Choose Finish and Windows will partition the drive, a process that will only take a few
seconds on most computers.
You might notice that your cursor is busy during this time. Once you see the new drive letter (F:
in our example) appear in the listing at the top of Disk Management, then you know the
partitioning process is complete.
12. Next, Windows will try to open the new drive automatically. However, since it's not yet
formatted and can't be used, you'll see this message instead: "You need to format the disk
in drive F: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?"

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This only happens in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. You won't see this in Windows
Vista or Windows XP and that's perfectly fine. Just skip to the last step below if you're using one
of those versions of Windows.
13. Select Cancel and then proceed to Step 14 below.

If you're familiar with the concepts involved with formatting a hard drive, feel free to
choose Format disk instead. You can use our tutorial linked in the next step as a general guide if
you need to.
14. Continue to our How to Format a Hard Drive in Windows tutorial for instructions on
formatting this partitioned drive so you can use it.
Advanced Partitioning
Windows doesn't allow for anything but very basic partition management after you create one,
but a number of software programs exist that can help if you need them.
See our Free Disk Partition Management Software for Windows list for updated reviews on these
tools and more information on what exactly you can do with them.

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