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Tech Differences

Know the Technical Differences

Difference Between RAM and ROM Memory

RAM Vs ROMRAM and ROM both are the internal memories of the computer. Where RAM is a temporary memory, ROM is a permanent memory of the computer. There are many differences between RAM and ROM, but the basic difference is that RAM is a read-write memory and the ROM is a read only memory.

I have discussed some differences between RAM and ROM with the help of comparison chart shown below.

Content: RAM Vs ROM

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonRAMROM
BasicIt is a read-write memory.It is read only memory.
UseUsed to store the data that has to be currently processed by CPU temporarily.It stores the instructions required during bootstrap of the computer.
VolatilityIt is a volatile memory.It is a nonvolatile memory.
Stands forRandom Access Memory.Read Only Memory.
ModificationData in RAM can be modified.Data in ROM can not be modified.
CapacityRAM sizes from 64 MB to 4GB.ROM is comparatively smaller than RAM.
CostRAM is a costlier memory.ROM is comparatively cheaper than RAM.
TypeTypes of RAM are static RAM and dynamic RAM. Types of ROM are PROM, EPROM, EEPROM.

Definition of RAM

RAM is a Random access memory; it means the CPU can directly access any address location of RAM memory.  RAM is a quickly accessible memory of the computer. It stores the data temporarily.

RAM is a volatile memory. RAM stores the data till the power is switched on. Once the power of the CPU is switched off the whole data in RAM gets erased. The data which has to be currently processed must be in RAM.  The storage capacity of the RAM ranges from 64 MB to 4 GB.

RAM is the fastest and costliest memory of the computer. It is a read-write memory of the computer. The processor can read the instructions from RAM and write the result to the RAM. The data in RAM can be modified.

There are two kinds of RAM, Static RAM and Dynamic RAM.

  • Static RAM is one which requires the constant flow of the power to retain the data inside it. It is faster and more expensive than DRAM. It is used as a cache memory for the computer.
  • Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed to retain the data it holds. It is slower and cheaper than static RAM.

Definition of ROM

ROM is a Read Only Memory.  The data in ROM can only be read by CPU but, it can not be modified. The CPU can not directly access the ROM memory, the data has to be first transferred to the RAM, and then the CPU can access that data from the RAM.

ROM stores the instruction that computer requires during Bootstraping (a process of booting up of the computer). The content in ROM can not be modified. ROM is a non-volatile memory, the data inside the ROM retains even if the power of the CPU is switched off.

The capacity of ROM is comparatively smaller than RAM, it slower and cheaper than RAM. There many kinds of ROM that are as follow:

  • PROM: Programmable ROM, it can be modified only once by the user.
  • EPROM: Erasable and Programmable ROM, the content of this ROM can be erased using ultraviolet rays and the ROm can be reprogrammed.
  • EEPROM: Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM, it can be erased electrically and reprogrammed about ten thousand times.

Key Differences Between RAM and ROM Memory

  1. The key difference between RAM and ROM is that RAM is basically a read-write memory whereas, ROM is a read only memory.
  2. RAM temporarily stores the data that have to be processed by CPU currently. On the other hands, ROM stores the instructions that are required during Bootstrap.
  3. RAM is a volatile memory. However, ROM is a nonvolatile memory.
  4. RAM stands for Random Access Memory whereas, ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
  5. On the one hand, where the data in RAM can be modified easily, the data in ROM can be hardly or never be modified.
  6. The RAM can range from 64 MB to 4 GB whereas, the ROM is always comparatively smaller than RAM.
  7. RAM is costlier than ROM.
  8. RAM can be classified into static and Dynamic RAM. On the other hands, ROM can be classified into PROM, EPROM and EEPROM.

Conclusion

RAM and ROM both are the necessary memory for the computer. ROM is a necessary for a computer to boot up. RAM is important for CPU processing.

Related Differences:

  1. Difference Between Primary and Secondary Memory
  2. Difference Between Register and Memory
  3. Difference Between EPROM and EEPROM
  4. Difference Between Interrupt and Polling in OS
  5. Difference Between Stack and Queue

Comments

  1. Pramod Mahor says

    June 1, 2018 at 11:17 am

    very nice information ram and rom related
    good article
    thanks for explaining ram and rom

    Reply
  2. satyam says

    July 12, 2018 at 9:40 am

    good information about RAM and ROM

    Reply
  3. Balaram says

    September 25, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    Hey, that’s a good post.

    Reply
  4. Rahul Sharma says

    March 30, 2019 at 2:16 am

    Good info. For my exams, I prepared through this article. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  5. sumon roy says

    March 30, 2019 at 3:33 am

    Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. chandankr says

    April 19, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    It’s really awesome article on RAM and ROM.

    Reply
  7. Yash soni says

    May 23, 2019 at 6:32 am

    Very informative article. Good for my exam preparation.
    Thanks

    Reply
  8. Ganesh says

    June 15, 2019 at 6:02 am

    Awesome Post! I helped me very much in my exam. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  9. p.srinivas says

    June 23, 2019 at 9:58 am

    Good information on the topic. Projection and Explanation are to the point and clear.
    Thanks for delivering.

    Reply
  10. Vijendra says

    August 18, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Easy to understand…

    Reply
  11. Ben says

    October 9, 2019 at 10:29 am

    Very concise content….

    Reply
  12. Amrit says

    November 28, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    Info helped a lot for the exam!!!
    Big thanks for this!!!

    Reply
  13. Rajamallu says

    October 19, 2020 at 2:26 am

    Very mice explanation,
    What we have to consider while purchasing computer or mobile for fast access of data.

    Reply
  14. Fatimah bint Sulaiman says

    April 22, 2021 at 3:57 am

    This is very important info especially for people like me nearly doing ma exams.

    Thank you for your good work.

    Reply
  15. Naveen says

    September 6, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    Nice explanation

    Reply
  16. zia says

    April 19, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    very informative ..plz share most important question of visual basics for ads student

    Reply

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