What is random-access memory?

    Synonyms: random access memory, random memory, RAM, read/write memory

Random-access Memory

Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access device allows stored data to be accessed in very nearly the same amount of time for any storage location, so data can be accessed quickly in any random order. In contrast, other data storage media such as hard disks, CDs, DVDs and magnetic tape, as well as early primary memory types such as drum memory, read and write data only in a predetermined order, consecutively, because of mechanical design limitations. Therefore the time to access a given data location varies significantly depending on its physical location.

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Random-access Memory - Memory Wall
... The "memory wall" is the growing disparity of speed between CPU and memory outside the CPU chip ... improved at an annual rate of 55% while memory speed only improved at 10% ... Given these trends, it was expected that memory latency would become an overwhelming bottleneck in computer performance ...

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