DRAMis short forDynamic Random Access Memory.
It refers to a specific pop in of RAM or Random Access Memory.
Like with all RAM, each bit of data is stored in a single memory cell.
Left to its own devices, any sort of data stored in DRAM would leak away after some time.
As especially capacitor-based memory cells gradually lose their electric charge.
This can be prevented by occasionally refreshing the memory externally.
This differs fromSRAM, which doesnt need to be refreshed similarly.
However, it does have some similarities to SRAM because both are volatile memory types.
DRAM exhibits limited data remanence.
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Where Is It Used?
DRAM sticks have dozens and billions of individual DRAM cells that make up the memory stick.
In all sizes, its a popular choice for the main memory of modern computers and sometimes graphics cards.
In other words, the part commonly referred to as RAM is often DRAM.
Video consoles also often use DRAM.
Smaller electronic devices and simple toys that still have some form of memory tend to use SRAM instead.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?
Despite its popularity in tech, DRAM does have its weaknesses.
Its slower than SRAM, for example.
Its also cheaper, which comes into play when the cost is more important than speed.
Another downside is the size DRAM takes up more space than SRAM.
It also requires additional interactions.
Making circuitry and timing more complicated.
Despite all that, DRAM cells are structurally more superficial and smaller than SRAM cells.
