SLC S23 Week4 || Computer Repair - Understanding RAM

Hello my dear steemian friends,

Assalalmu alaikum & Ramadan Mubarak

I am @saifuddinmahmud from Bangladesh. I am very excited to join Steemit Learning Challenge Season 23 Week 4. The topic is Computer Repair-The RAM (Memory) challenged organize by @kouba01. Now I am shearing the homework task.

Introduction of RAM

RAM is the short from of Random Access Memory. RAM is a hardware device of a computer. Its a short term memory of a computer or laptop. Data is stored in the computer's processor to run applications and open files. It allow to access the information quickly to the computer.

Understanding RAM Types

Question: Explain the differences between DRAM and SRAM. Why is SRAM faster but less commonly used than DRAM. And between DDR1,DDR2,DDR3 and DDR4?

Question: Explain the differences between DRAM and SRAM?

Answer:

DRAM-Its the short form of Dynamic Random Access Memory. Its one kind of RAM which store data by using very small capacitor and transistor. It constantly refreshed with an electrical charge for retaining data. DRAM is widely used in computers and laptops because it controls a good balance between speed and cost.

SRAM-Its the short form of Static Random Access Memory. Its that type of a memory which is faster and dependable. It store data by using flip-flop circuit. Its offer fast data access and also fastly read and write operation. Its charged a certain power to retain store information.

Here is the differences between DRAM and SRAM

Significance	DRAM	SRAM
Storage	Higher storage capacity	Lower storage capacity
Speed	Slower access time	faster access time
Cost	Less expensive	more expensive
Refresh	Its data decays with over time	It don’t decrease with over time
Data Maintain	It needs to be refreshed frequently to keep it correct	It don’t need to refresh again again to maintain data
Data storage	Data store in capacitor	By using flip-flop for store data
Common use	Its use as a main memory of a computer	Its use for cache memory
Power consumption	Its more power efficient when idle	Less power consumption when idle
Data Retention	Its need a constant refreshing for maintaining data	Its hold data as long as there have power supply

Question: Why is SRAM faster but less commonly used than DRAM?

Answer:

We know that SRAM is more faster. But there is a problem that It's too expensive beceause SRAM made by six transistor. It’s very spaces consuming for using as a main memory. Its require much power which make it expansible. On the other hand the DRAM is slower and made by one transistor which make it cheaper. It can store more data. This is good for system RAM on most computing devices.
By seeing all of difference, we can say that SRAM is faster but its not reliable and DRAM is lower but more reliable. For this reason DRAM use more.

Question: Difference between DDR1,DDR2,DDR3 and DDR4?

DDR-It is the short form of Double Data Rate which is a computing system that uses for both rising and falling edges of a clock signal. It can send data over a computer bus at the double rate of a single data rate (SDR) system. It allows data transfer.

There is a difference between DDR1,DDR2,DDR3 and DDR4

Significance	DDR1	DDR2	DDR3	DDR4

Voltage	2.5V	1.8V	1.5V	1.2V
Pin count	184 pin	240pin	240pin	288pin
Data rate	400-800 MT/s	800-1600 MT/s	1600-3200MT/s	3200-6400 MT/s
Clock speed	200-400 MHz	400-800 MHz	800-1600 MHz	1600-3200 MHz
Prefetch Buffer	2bits	4bits	8bits	8bits
Data bus width	64bits	64bits	64bits	64bits

RAM Speed and Performance

Question: How does RAM speed (measured in MHz) affect overall system performance? Provide examples of tasks that benefit from higher RAM speeds.

Answer:

RAM speed measure by MHz. A faster RAM can improve a CPU to access data more quickly by reducing invisibility with increasing bandwidth.

How RAM speed affects performance

1. Higher MHz RAM improve the faster data access which is reduces latency. It hepls to access data more quickly.
2. A faster RAM improve multitasking. When its need to run multiple applications smoothly and reducing slowdowns there need a faster RAM.
3. Some of the applications of a computer is especially dependent on memory bandwidth.Those significant improve with faster RAM.

The benefits from higher RAM speed with example :

1. Gaming:

There are many modern games based on fast memory for loading and reducing frame-time fluctuations.

Example: Ther are many games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Battlefield 2042.Games look very smooth due to faster RAM. Faster RAM makes these games much easier to play and watch.

2. Video Editing and 3D Translation:

There have many high quality software like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve which get benefit from faster RAM. A faster RAM make easy to work with high-resolution footage.

Example: A Faster RAM helps to scouring through 4K/8K videos. It helps to remove rendering effects.

3. Programming and Composing:

A Faster RAM can speeding up the receiving times of a large projects. The languages project like C++ and Java

Example: Complex game engines may show better performance when compiling shaders.

4. Data analysis:

The training and simulations of AI/ML need high memory bandwidth.

Example: A Faster RAM is benifacial for TensorFlow and PyTorch when its processing with a large dataset.

5. Server Applications and server machine:

When its running with multiple VMs or contain applications then its get benefits from the higher RAM speeds.

Example: The virtual machines are runing more smoothly. A faster RAM speed helps the important of balance with latency and ensure the CPU motherboard that is support the higher frequencies.

RAM Failure Symptoms

Question: List three common symptoms of RAM failure and explain how each issue impacts system performance.

Answer:

When the RAM fails some unexpected problems are observed in the computer. There are many types of problems but as per the question I am discussing the symptoms of 3 problems.

1.Frequent system crashed or blue screen erros(BSOD):

When there is problem shows into RAM then operating system continuously loads and retrieves data from RAM when its running. Its can occur data corruption. Affects the system towards instability. When the OS encounters a memory error, it triggers a BSOD to protect it from instant damage.

The Impacts of System Performance:

System Instability:
When frequent crashes occur, normal operations are disrupted and data may be lost.

Inconsistent Behavior:
Errors in certain RAM regions can cause some applications to work fine while others crash.

Boot Failures:
If the OS cannot load essential files into memory properly, the system may fail to boot.
When the OS cannot properly load the necessary files into the memory then the system may fail to boot.

2.Random Reboots and Boot Failure:

When a RAM error then its encountered the system may reboot unexpectedly and fail to start properly. At the boot-up time the operating system loads necessary files into the RAM. If the RAM is faulty, these files can become corrupted, causing failure to initiate the boot loop and system crashes. Faulty memory can cause a sudden reboot without warning while the computer is running.

Impact on System Performance:

System Unreliability:
Random reboots cause performance issues and may cause data loss.

Failure to Boot:
The system may get stuck at the startup screen. May be restart again and again and fail to find out the RAM.

Increased Boot Times:
If the RAM is faulty, required files may take longer to open

3.Installation Failure and files corrupted:

When the RAM is faulty then the files get corrupted and the applications are crashed unexpectedly. Operating system of the computer fail to updates or installations.

Impact on System performance:

1. Can be Loss important files.
2. Loss ability to install new softwares.
3. The risk of system instability and boot failures can be increased.

Checking Installed RAM on Your Computer

Question: Open your computer settings and check the amount of installed RAM. Take a screenshot of the system information displaying the RAM details.
Bonus: Record a short video demonstrating how to access the RAM information on Windows or MacOS.

Answer:

I open my computer and checking the RAM details and performance.
.

Here is the screenshot of my installed RAM
Here is showing that my installed RAM is 4GB.

Here is the screenshot of RAM details and performance

RAM Specifications

1. Installed RAM is 4GB DDR3.
2. But 3.9GB is working.
3. There are used 2.4GB
4. Available space is 1.5GB.
5. Speed 1600 MHz.
6. RAM slot used 1 of 2.