What is RAM?
RAM is our working memory storage. All the data, which the PC uses and works with during
operation, are stored here. Data are stored on drives, typically the hard drive. However, for the
CPU to work with those data, they must be read into the working memory storage, which is
made up of RAM chips. To examine RAM, we need to look at the following:
l RAM types (FPM, EDO, ECC, and SD RAM)
l RAM modules (SIMM and DIMM) in different versions
l RAM and the system bus
First, let us look back in time. Not too many years ago, Bill Gates said, that with 1 MB RAM, we
had a memory capacity, which would never be fully utilized. That turned out to be untrue.
Historical review
Back in the 80's, PC's were equipped with RAM in quantities of 64 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB and
finally 1 MB. Think of a home computer like Commodore 64. It had 64 KB RAM, and it worked
fine.
Around 1990, advanced operating systems, like Windows, appeared on the market, That
started the RAM race. The PC needed more and more RAM. That worked fine with the 386
processor, which could address larger amount of RAM. The first Windows operated PC's could
address 2 MB RAM, but 4 MB soon became the standard. The race has continued through the
90's, as RAM prices have dropped dramatically.Today. it would be foolish to consider less than 32 MB RAM in a PC. Many have much more. I
have 128 MB, and that is in no way too much. Especially, if you use Windows 95, it is important
with plenty of RAM. Click here to read about the swap file and RAM considerations.
RAM is our working memory storage. All the data, which the PC uses and works with during
operation, are stored here. Data are stored on drives, typically the hard drive. However, for the
CPU to work with those data, they must be read into the working memory storage, which is
made up of RAM chips. To examine RAM, we need to look at the following:
l RAM types (FPM, EDO, ECC, and SD RAM)
l RAM modules (SIMM and DIMM) in different versions
l RAM and the system bus
First, let us look back in time. Not too many years ago, Bill Gates said, that with 1 MB RAM, we
had a memory capacity, which would never be fully utilized. That turned out to be untrue.
Historical review
Back in the 80's, PC's were equipped with RAM in quantities of 64 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB and
finally 1 MB. Think of a home computer like Commodore 64. It had 64 KB RAM, and it worked
fine.
Around 1990, advanced operating systems, like Windows, appeared on the market, That
started the RAM race. The PC needed more and more RAM. That worked fine with the 386
processor, which could address larger amount of RAM. The first Windows operated PC's could
address 2 MB RAM, but 4 MB soon became the standard. The race has continued through the
90's, as RAM prices have dropped dramatically.Today. it would be foolish to consider less than 32 MB RAM in a PC. Many have much more. I
have 128 MB, and that is in no way too much. Especially, if you use Windows 95, it is important
with plenty of RAM. Click here to read about the swap file and RAM considerations.
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