I'm a bit of a multitasker but uhm in your computer there's like Ghz, RAM, and the actual memory. what's the difference and which one am I actually using when I'm using my computer? Also with memory is it an internal thing or can you buy like a external memory thing and plug it into your computer? Thanks!
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Memory Question!
#1
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Posted 07 April 2008 - 08:04 PM
#2
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Posted 07 April 2008 - 10:42 PM
Ghz isn't really memory, its what the CPU is counted on. CPU being what runs your computer (Central Processing Unit)
RAM (Random Access Memory) is what makes you're programs run faster or not, as it 'caches' processes so the more RAM you have, the better you can run programs.
Actual memory I assume you're referring to hard drive(HDD)? Again, you need this to run you're computer, as this is what your OS is installed to.
Internal memories are RAM and HDD, although you can buy external hard drives, which can run outside your PC through a cable.
Hope this answers your questions.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is what makes you're programs run faster or not, as it 'caches' processes so the more RAM you have, the better you can run programs.
Actual memory I assume you're referring to hard drive(HDD)? Again, you need this to run you're computer, as this is what your OS is installed to.
Internal memories are RAM and HDD, although you can buy external hard drives, which can run outside your PC through a cable.
Hope this answers your questions.
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#3
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Posted 07 April 2008 - 11:59 PM
Virtual memory is where part of the hard drive (the amount is usually configurable) is used as "more RAM". Without getting overly technical you can think of its purpose is to give every program the illusion of having unlimited memory (a bit generalized and oversimplified). Different websites recommend different amounts (typically a minimum and a maximum), however they all agree that the number should be high enough such that you don't need to allocate more as you use your computer (though they typically don't recommend setting the minimum to equal the maximum).
Additionally there is a speed associated with RAM which I believe is the speed at which your CPU can "communicate" with your RAM (though I could be wrong on this). There are different recommendations on how fast (or slow) you want your memory since your CPU/motherboard can only handle so much. Overall, these are just additional optimizations you can choose when building a system.
Also something interesting you should know:
Access time for RAM is in nanoseconds (10^-9).
Access time for "virtual memory" (aka your hard disk) is in milliseconds (10^-3).
It is definitely preferable in most cases to have everything on RAM whenever possible.
As for external memory, I'm not too sure but doesn't Vista have the ability to allow you to use a USB flash drive as additional RAM?
Additionally there is a speed associated with RAM which I believe is the speed at which your CPU can "communicate" with your RAM (though I could be wrong on this). There are different recommendations on how fast (or slow) you want your memory since your CPU/motherboard can only handle so much. Overall, these are just additional optimizations you can choose when building a system.
Also something interesting you should know:
Access time for RAM is in nanoseconds (10^-9).
Access time for "virtual memory" (aka your hard disk) is in milliseconds (10^-3).
It is definitely preferable in most cases to have everything on RAM whenever possible.
As for external memory, I'm not too sure but doesn't Vista have the ability to allow you to use a USB flash drive as additional RAM?
#4
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Posted 09 April 2008 - 03:34 PM
GHz (Gigahertz) is a measurement of speed. It's base-unit is "hertz" and it scales to kilohertz (KHz), Megahertz (MHz) and so on...
"Memory" is specifically refering to "RAM". RAM stores active tasks that your computer is working on (to put it simply). RAM is "Volatile"- meaning if you turn off your computer, everything in RAM is completely erased. (Which is why it's always better to shutdown your computer and not flip the power switch).
Hard Drive. This is your "non-volatile" memory. In other words, "Long term memory". All computer software including your operating system is stored on this. When you shutdown your computer, all settings and data are saved from RAM to the Hard Drive. The hard drive is by far the slowest data-storage device.
If you use too much RAM or don't use an open program for a while the computer will dump parts of RAM to the hard drive to make more RAM available for other tasks. This is why it sometimes takes a few seconds to bring back a program that is open, but hasn't been used in a while. You'll notice that the hard drive light will light up until the program fully loads and resumes.
_________________
So now that your head is reeling with all of this, I think I'll throw in a Simple analogy.
You work at a desk at home.
You = processor
desk = RAM
Garage = Hard Drive
How fast you work = GHz
To start your day, you grab bills from the garage and dump them on your desk. You can process 2 bills a second (you speed demon you!). But your desk becomes cluttered with bills and you end up spending a lot of time trying to manage it. So you take some bills and put them in the garage, in a special place so you know where to get them again. Now that you've freed up more room, you can now lay out more bills and work more efficiently.
-CPU, RAM, Hard drives and how they fit together in a nutshell-
"Memory" is specifically refering to "RAM". RAM stores active tasks that your computer is working on (to put it simply). RAM is "Volatile"- meaning if you turn off your computer, everything in RAM is completely erased. (Which is why it's always better to shutdown your computer and not flip the power switch).
Hard Drive. This is your "non-volatile" memory. In other words, "Long term memory". All computer software including your operating system is stored on this. When you shutdown your computer, all settings and data are saved from RAM to the Hard Drive. The hard drive is by far the slowest data-storage device.
If you use too much RAM or don't use an open program for a while the computer will dump parts of RAM to the hard drive to make more RAM available for other tasks. This is why it sometimes takes a few seconds to bring back a program that is open, but hasn't been used in a while. You'll notice that the hard drive light will light up until the program fully loads and resumes.
_________________
So now that your head is reeling with all of this, I think I'll throw in a Simple analogy.
You work at a desk at home.
You = processor
desk = RAM
Garage = Hard Drive
How fast you work = GHz
To start your day, you grab bills from the garage and dump them on your desk. You can process 2 bills a second (you speed demon you!). But your desk becomes cluttered with bills and you end up spending a lot of time trying to manage it. So you take some bills and put them in the garage, in a special place so you know where to get them again. Now that you've freed up more room, you can now lay out more bills and work more efficiently.
-CPU, RAM, Hard drives and how they fit together in a nutshell-
#5
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Posted 09 April 2008 - 05:04 PM
whoah thanks guys + fishscene for that long and detailed explanation 
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