In most circumstances, the computer responds super-fast, because RAM is fast. Then you can work with Excel, crunching numbers in your usual fashion. If you load an existing spreadsheet (which is stored on your hard disk), the operating system copies that information into RAM, too. When you start Excel, your computer loads the application into RAM. So, for example, let’s say you want to work with a spreadsheet. When it’s finished actively working with that data, the computer (sometimes at your instruction) saves it into long term storage. When you want to accomplish a specific task, computer operating systems load data from the hard disk into RAM to process it, such as to sort a spreadsheet or to display it on screen. RAM is significantly faster than a hard disk - twenty to a hundred times faster, depending on the specific hardware type and task. RAM is used to process information immediately. Ultimately, RAM allows you to access multiple programs at once with speed and efficiency.
RAM is like a physical desktop, where you want to keep everything you're working on easily accessible. In contrast, if you want to keep anything to work on later, you put it into a desk drawer - or store it on a hard disk, either locally or in the cloud.
Your working space - where you scribble on something immediately - is the top of the desk, where you want everything within arm’s reach and you want no delay in finding anything. It can help to think about RAM with the analogy of a physical desktop. So what is RAM used for, then? It’s very fast, which makes it ideal for things the computer is actively working on, such as applications that are currently running (for example, the web browser in which you’re reading this article) and the data those applications work on or with (such as this article). RAM is temporary storage that goes away when the power turns off. But the working processes are done in RAM. Nearly all computers have a way of storing information for longer-term access, too. RAM keeps data easily accessible so that it can be retrieved quickly, meaning your processor doesn’t have to go into long-term storage to complete immediate processing tasks.Įvery computing device has RAM, whether it’s a desktop computer (running Windows, MacOS, or Linux), a tablet or smartphone, or even an IoT computing device (like a smart TV). RAM is a temporary memory bank where your computer stores data it’s currently working on. RAM is short for “random access memory,” and it’s one of the most fundamental elements of computing. What is RAM? | Random Access Memory Definition | Avast Logo Ameba Icon Security Icon Security White Icon Privacy Icon Performance Icon Privacy Icon Security Icon Performance Icons/45/01 Security/Other-Threats Icons / 32 / Bloatware removal Icons / 32 / Registry Cleaner Icons / 32 / CleanUp Icons / Feature / 32 / Mac Icons / 32 / Browser cleanup Icons/32/01 Security/Malware Icons/32/01 Security/Viruses Icons/32/01 Security/Other-Threats Icons/32/01 Security/Passwords Icons/32/01 Security/Ransomware Icons/32/01 Security/Business Icons/32/02 Privacy/Browser Icons/32/02 Privacy/IP adress Icons/32/02 Privacy/VPN Icons/32/02 Privacy/Proxy Icons/32/02 Privacy/Streaming Icons/32/03 Performance/Celaning Icons/32/03 Performance/Drivers Icons/32/03 Performance/Gaming Icons/32/03 Performance/Hardware Icons/32/03 Performance/Speed Icons / 32 / Bloatware removal Icons / 32 / Registry Cleaner Win Icons / 32 / CleanUp Icons / Feature / 32 / Mac Icons / 32 / Browser cleanup Icons/60/02 Privacy/02_Privacy Icons/60/01 Security/01_Security Icons/60/03 Performance/03_Performance Icons/80/01 Security/IoT Icons/80/01 Security/Malware Icons/80/01 Security/Passwords Icons/80/01 Security/Ransomware Icons/80/01 Security/Viruses Icons/80/01 Security/Other-Threats Icons/80/03 Security/Business Icons/80/02 Privacy/Browser Icons/80/02 Privacy/IP adress Icons/80/02 Privacy/VPN Icons/80/02 Privacy/Proxy Icons/80/02 Privacy/Streaming Icons/80/03 Performance/Celaning Icons/80/03 Performance/Drivers Icons/80/03 Performance/Gaming Icons/80/03 Performance/Hardware Icons/80/03 Performance/Speed Icons/80/03 Performance/03_Performance Icons/80/02 Privacy/02_Privacy