Absolute Beginner's Guide to A+ Certification

Chapter 7. RAM

In this chapter

• Memory Types and Forms

• Memory Form Factors

• Memory Banks

• Installing SIMMs

• Installing DIMMs and Rambus RDRAM Modules

• Cache RAM and Main Memory

When it's time for the CPU to process something, RAM (random access memory) is the workspace it uses. RAM is one of two types of memory found in your computer; the other type of memory is ROM (read-only memory). What's the difference? RAM's contents can be changed at any time, whereas ROM's contents require special procedures to change. Think of RAM as a blank sheet of paper and a pencil: You can write on it, erase what you've done, and keep making changes. On the other hand, ROM is like a newspaper. If you want to change what's printed on the newspaper, you must recycle it so ...