DRAM

In PCs and servers, what is DRAM mainly used for?

  1. ARegisters inside the CPU
  2. BMain memory that holds running programs and their data
  3. CLong-term storage that retains data after power-off
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Answer: B. Main memory that holds running programs and their data

DRAM offers large capacity at relatively high speed, so it is used as main memory holding the programs and data the CPU is running. Because it is volatile and loses data when power is removed, SSDs and HDDs are used for long-term storage. Registers and caches inside the CPU use SRAM and flip-flops.

  • A. CPU registers are built from flip-flops and similar circuits.
  • B. Correct. DRAM is used as main memory.
  • C. DRAM is volatile and loses data at power-off, so it is unsuited to long-term storage.
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More DRAM questions

  1. What is the component called in which several DRAM chips are mounted on a small board that plugs into a PC as memory?
  2. What does the "S" (synchronous) in SDRAM indicate?
  3. Which trio correctly names the three major manufacturers holding large shares of the global DRAM market?
  4. In typical DRAM standards, which is closest to the period within which every cell must be refreshed once? (Normal temperature range)
  5. What does the DRAM timing parameter tRCD represent?