DRAM stands for dynamic random entry reminiscence and is a kind of semiconductor reminiscence seen in RAM and GPUs (aka graphics playing cards).
DRAM reminiscence works by storing bits of knowledge in a capacitor inside an built-in circuit. It requires periodic refreshing (in contrast to SRAM) to maintain information as a result of its capacitors slowly launch power. DRAM is cheaper than SRAM and may retailer extra information. Nevertheless, DRAM-based elements take longer to entry information than SRAM-based ones and use extra energy.
DRAM in RAM Kits
SDRAM aka SDR SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM aka single information fee synchronous dynamic RAM) – A extra superior sort of DRAM. SDRAM doesn’t react to information enter till a CPU clock tells it to; it’s constructed to work in tandem with the CPU at its optimized clock pace. As such, SDRAM can carry out extra duties concurrently than a plain (asynchronous) DRAM.
DDR SDRAM (double information fee synchronous dynamic RAM) – DDR SDRAM is the subsequent technology of SDRAM and the kind of RAM folks sometimes purchase to improve or construct a PC. As its identify implies, DDR SDRAM can entry information twice as quick as SDR SDRAM. DDR SDRAM additionally consumes much less energy than SDR SDRAM.
Newer variations of DDR SDRAM have a quantity after DDR (ex: DDR2 SDRAM). The upper the quantity, the higher (they’re all higher than DDR SDRAM).
- DDR2 SDRAM – Sooner than DDR SDRAM.
- DDR3 SDRAM – Higher efficiency and extra reminiscence than DDR2 SDRAM
- DDR4 SDRAM – Sooner, higher efficiency, extra reminiscence and consumes much less energy than DDR3 SDRAM.
- DDR5 SDRAM – Sooner and extra energy environment friendly than its DDR5 predecessor, whereas growing most UDIMM measurement from 32GB to 128GB.
DDR5 is presently supported by Intel’s twelfth technology Alder Lake processors, and also will be utilized by AMD’s upcoming Zen 4-based Ryzen 7000 household. Present DDR5 modules are usually obtainable at DDR5-4800 and better speeds. Some producers, like G.Ability, provide overclocked modules rated for DDR5-8888 speeds. Module voltage has been decreased from 1.2V to 1.1V and voltage regulation takes place on every particular person RAM stick relatively than on the motherboard.
Observe, when shopping for a RAM, it often received’t say “SDRAM” after the “DDR” half.
DRAM in GPUs
GDDR SDRAM (graphics double information fee synchronous dynamic RAM, generally known as GDDR) – This targets video graphics, and most trendy GPUs can entry it. GDDR SDRAM differs from DDR SDRAM in that it prioritizes processing extra information, relatively than latency.
GDDR SDRAM is on the market in several generations. So as from worst to greatest efficiency they’re: GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5, GDDR5X, GDDR6 and GDDR6X. The primary GDDR6 shopper graphics playing cards are Nvidia’s Turing structure playing cards, together with the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 2070. GDDR6X reminiscence is utilized in Nvidia’s Ampere structure on playing cards just like the GeForce RTX 3080, RTX 3090, and RTX 3090 Ti.
This text is a part of the Tom’s {Hardware} Glossary.
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