What’s the Difference Between RAM and Storage?
If you’re not too computer-savvy, you probably think that RAM and storage are the same thing – both types of memory used in a computer. You’re not entirely wrong, but you’re not entirely right either. In this blog post, we’re going to explain the differences between RAM and storage, so you never have to scratch your head again.
What is RAM?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM is a type of computer memory that is temporary and is used to store data that the computer is currently using. The moment you shut off your computer, the data stored in RAM gets deleted, so it’s a short-term memory. RAM is used to execute programs, and the more RAM your computer has, the faster it can execute multiple programs at the same time.
For you to understand how RAM works, imagine your desk with all the drawers. These drawers can represent memory storage, while the top of your desk is the RAM. The top of your desk is where you keep all the things you’re currently working on- the projects you’re currently executing. That’s what the RAM does, it stores the data that the computer is presently using.
When you run an application, the computer transfers the data of that specific application to the RAM, so that it can be executed faster. For instance, if you’re running a photo editing software, the computer will transfer the data from the storage to the RAM. Once the data is in RAM, the program can access it quickly, allowing the software to execute the command quickly.
What is Storage?
Storage, on the other hand, is where the computer stores data after the user shuts it off. Storage is a non-volatile memory, meaning that the data stored there lasts even if the power is turned off.
There are two major types of storage:
1. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
2. Solid State Drive (SSD)
HDDs are similar to record players; they have “disks” that spin and a “needle” that reads information from them. They’re reliable, relatively inexpensive, and offer large amounts of storage space.
SSDs, on the other hand, are a newer type of storage and don’t have moving parts. Instead, they’re powered by flash memory, which makes them faster and more reliable than HDDs. They’re also more expensive, but they’re increasingly becoming more affordable.
Storage stores data like pictures, videos, documents, and more. They are usually measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). If you want to save your photos, videos, or documents, you store them on storage such as a hard drive.
How Do RAM and Storage Work Together?
To work together, applications launched from storage are loaded into RAM, where they are executed. Once the program has completed, it’s stored back in the storage; hence, RAM is used to execute programs temporarily, and storage is used to store data persistently.
For instance, suppose you’re typing a document in Microsoft Word. The application is launched from your storage, where it’s usually saved. It loads itself along with the file you’re working on onto the RAM. The data from the file is stored temporarily to RAM, allowing you to edit and make changes to it as you please.
But, if your computer suddenly shuts down, all unsaved data in RAM will get deleted. If you saved the document before shutting down the computer, it would get saved to the storage (usually your hard drive). When you open it next time, the document will be loaded from storage to RAM for you to continue editing.
Why Does RAM Matter?
RAM is an essential component in a computer system. The amount of RAM in your computer determines how many programs you can run simultaneously. The more RAM you have, the more programs that can be loaded into the memory, and the faster they will run.
Many factors can affect the number of programs a computer can run, such as the size of the applications, the nature of the research, and the size of the files they are working with. A computer with 4GB of RAM will run well if it has only two applications open simultaneously, but it might start to slow down if you open more applications. In contrast, a computer with 16GB of RAM can run four or five applications simultaneously without sacrificing performance.
Why Does Storage Matter?
Storage is crucial because it saves all your precious information even after the system is turned off. Your photos, videos, and documents are all stored in the storage. The size of the storage matters more than the speed. A slow 2 TB disk is more useful than a fast 512 GB disk in most cases. Therefore, it’s best to have more storage space than necessary because you never know when you might need it.
Conclusion
In summary, RAM and storage are two different types of memory used in a computer. RAM is a temporary memory, where data is stored temporarily, while storage is a non-volatile memory that stores data after the computer is turned off. RAM allows your computer to run multiple programs simultaneously, and storage holds your data so you can access it when you need it.
We hope this post will help you understand the differences between the two. If you still have questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below.
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