ASAP Memory Blog | Latest Updated on Memory Upgrades

In today's technologically advanced world, we rely heavily on powerful electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and gaming consoles to work, communicate, entertain ourselves, and more. These devices often contain high-performance processors, memory modules, and integrated circuits that all generate significant amounts of heat during operation. To ensure their longevity and optimal performance, heat management becomes crucial as systems are more powerful. Heat management can be carried out in various ways, but one of the most optimal solutions is the use of equipment known as heat sinks. In this blog, we will explore what heat sinks are, their purpose, and how they function.

When using a computer, there are two main types of memory which are stored in the system. First, there is non-volatile memory (NVM), or random access memory (RAM), which is the information that the computer retains even when disconnected from a power source. Conversely, there is volatile memory that requires continuous power to retain data or stored information. Whereas volatile random-access memory has continued to be the dominant part in primary memory for computer storage systems, non-volatile memory is most commonly used as a form of secondary memory for program and data storage, as well as long-term storage applications. To learn more about why this is and to get a better understanding of non-volatile memory overall, read on as we discuss this integral form of equipment.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a form of memory that is used by computers in order to store information. Similar to the short-term or working memory of a person, RAM is the kind of memory which computers rely on only while they are connected to power. Once the device is disconnected, all of the information stored in a computer’s RAM is cleared away. Within RAM, there are two commonly used types called static and dynamic. Both are able to temporarily store memory, however the way in which they retain data bits differs in several major ways, all of which will be discussed in this blog.

A memory device is defined as a piece of hardware that stores data. As our world is increasingly becoming digitized, more and more of our technological systems rely on memory devices to store pertinent information. In fact, computers, mobile phones, tablets, and many other everyday gadgets are equipped with memory devices. In this blog we will outline three main types of memory devices we encounter, those of which are SRAM, DRAM, and VRAM. 

A FIFO is a "first in first out" memory buffer between two systems with simultaneous read and write access. It means that the data written into the buffer first comes out of it first. If you’ve ever waited in a line, then you understand how a FIFO functions. FIFOs can be implemented with software or hardware. The choice between a software or hardware solution depends on the application's hard drives and the features desired. FIFO can be either synchronous or asynchronous. The difference between them is that the operation of synchronous FIFO is dependent on the clock, whereas the read/write operation of asynchronous FIFO are alternate to each other.

Power management integrated circuits (power management ICs or PMICs) are integrated circuits that perform different functions related to power management. They may have one or more functions including DC to DC conversion, battery charging, power-source selection, voltage scaling, power sequencing, and miscellaneous functions. PMICs control the flow and direction of electrical power. Electrical devices contain internal voltages and sources of external power. PMICs usually incorporate multiple functions into one IC to increase efficiency, decrease size, and create better heat dissipation.

Whether you’re using a USB flash drive or secure digital cards, you’re using flash memory. Flash memory, or NAND flash, has become a major part of every industry as we incorporate technology into anything and everything. One of the best attributes of NAND is that it does not require being powered on to actively store the memory; it continues to hold memory until manual deletion. This is an important feature because it makes NAND more cost-efficient than DRAM memory, which must be powered on to hold data.

If you’ve ever looked into computer memory, you might’ve come across some weird acronyms. RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and so on. You know they’re supposed to be the memory, but you don’t know the difference and now you’re just confused. Here’s a short bit on what you need to know about computer memory.

In 2006, several DRAM manufacturers announced that they were supplying the industry’s first DDR3 devices and modules to leading PC developers by early 2007 and that DDR3s would be available by the end of 2007 and early 2008. While a DDR3 memory might seem like much to us today in 2018 because of the release of the DDR4 in 2014, in 2006, the DDR3 SDRAMs were exciting.

Flash memory is used as a storage device just like a hard drive or Ram. What sets it apart is its size and portability. The ease transferring data from one computer to another using a flash drive is a breeze due to its ease of use. The flash drive can be plugged into a USB port in a laptop or computer, when this is accomplished, you can easily move files from your computer to the flash drive. This makes it possible to transport information through a storage device that’s small, convenient, and compatible with all computers and laptops.