käyttömuistin

Käyttömuisti, commonly known as RAM (Random Access Memory), is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. It is used for storing data that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) needs to access quickly. Unlike long-term storage devices like hard drives or SSDs, RAM is volatile, meaning its contents are lost when the power is turned off.

RAM acts as the computer's short-term memory. When you open an application or a file, it is loaded from the storage device into RAM. The CPU then reads and writes data to RAM very rapidly, allowing the program to run smoothly. The more RAM a computer has, the more data it can hold for immediate access, which generally leads to better multitasking performance and faster application loading times.

There are different types of RAM, with DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory) being the most common in modern computers. DDR SDRAM transfers data twice per clock cycle, increasing performance. The speed of RAM, measured in megahertz (MHz), also affects how quickly data can be accessed.

When a computer is running multiple applications simultaneously, each application requires a portion of RAM. If the total demand for RAM exceeds the available amount, the operating system may resort to using a portion of the hard drive or SSD as virtual memory. This process, known as paging or swapping, is significantly slower than accessing RAM directly and can cause noticeable performance degradation. Therefore, having sufficient RAM is crucial for a responsive computing experience.