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What does RAM mean? - Computer RAM?

What does RAM mean? - Computer RAM?

On computers, notebooks ETC... what does RAM mean?

and what is the difference between RAM and hard drive?

WHAT DOES RAM MEAN? and what does is do?

12 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's easy to get RAM and Hard Disk space confused. When people get an "out of memory" error message from their computer, they often think their hard drive is too full, when in reality, the RAM (memory) is getting too full. Here's a chart which may help you think about the difference between RAM and Hard Disk storage space.

  • 1 decade ago

    RAM - Random Access Memory

    The difference between your hard drive and your RAM is RAM is quick and destructive while the HDD is relatively slow and permanent.

    RAM is a memory for all the information you are currently using, the game you are playing, the document you are using , the operating system. RAM is incredibly fast and has no moving parts. The downside is that as soon as the power is switched off the information disappears.

    The HDD stores all the information in your computer. When you want to access something, (a game, document etc) the HDD loads the information into the RAM so the processor can see and use it quickly and efficently. The HDD doesnt rely on power though and if you have a powercut or unplug the computer the information is safe.

    HDD can fail though, precision moving parts moving at high speeds always run the risk of failure.

  • 1 decade ago

    RAM stands for Random Access Memory, When a program is started, it is loaded into RAM to be run. This also where files are placed by a computer to be worked on. RAM is like a workbench and the larger this workbench the larger the file that can be worked. Imagine if you were building a doghouse. A big workbench would allow you to put the whole thing on at once to work on it and have room for your saw and your sander (i.e. your programs like a photo editor or word processor).

    Now Hard Drive is basically is where all your programs/data is stored. RAM is for temporary instances, Hard Drive is permanent.

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    This Site Might Help You.

    RE:

    What does RAM mean? - Computer RAM?

    What does RAM mean? - Computer RAM?

    On computers, notebooks ETC... what does RAM mean?

    and what is the difference between RAM and hard drive?

    WHAT DOES RAM MEAN? and what does is do?

    Source(s): ram computer ram: https://tr.im/iGKto
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  • 1 decade ago

    RAM means Random Access Memory. The kind of memory a computer uses to think and process. Which is different the your harddrive which is torage

    Source(s): 25 years of experience
  • 1 decade ago

    Random Access Memory

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    ...Random access Memory... that memory that stays active as long as your computer is on and running... when you turn off the computer... your RAM stops and all your information that you had in RAM is gone... the more RAM you've got running, the more "stuff" you can run...and run at a faster rate. (1) MB of RAM won't run "squat" in your computer today, like it did in 1995.

    Today, computers run 2 or 3 GB of RAM to run all the "crap" running in your machine !

  • Ernest
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Random access memory, mine is 2 gb, it determines how fast the computer will be,

    RAM is normally the thing that shows how much memorty your computer has, to determine its speed

    Hard drive is like the brain, it stores information. everything that you save on the computer goes to it.

  • 1 decade ago

    its Random Acces Memory!

    RAM!

    its basically like this...

    imagine you have lots of things to hold...say boxes...your pcs processor cant hold em all so the RAM holds them for the processor until it can handle the boxes...like having a friend help you move boxes around...

    modern RAM can hold bigger amounts and the LATENCY is the amount of time it takes to transfer the boxes and back again!..the capacity is the amount of boxes..

    hope this helps!

    Source(s): a hard drive hold all you data like pictures and stuff...RAM holds all of the non permanent boxes that doesnt stay with your pc..like webpages and games and screen shots!
  • 5 years ago

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