Relationship Between A RAM And SSd
You might be inquisitive to know what the relationship between RAM and SSD is. Well, today, your inquisitiveness will pay off, because we’ll show you all you need to know about ram and SSD. Keep reading, as we unveil the answers for you.
Today, the most common preference for computer storage is rapidly becoming SSDs. This type of computer storage is common because it is faster, cooler, and takes up less space than traditional hard drives. They’re also less susceptible to magnetic fields and physical jolts, which makes them great for laptops. However, there is a downside: They cost more money per gigabyte than a hard drive.
But before we go further to talk about the relationship between RAMs and SSDs, let’s know the definitions of RAM and SSD.
What Is RAM?
RAM stands for random access memory. Basically, your computer’s main memory is called RAM, the RAM helps you create a workspace that the computer uses to get work done—a desk if you will. It is significantly faster than an SSD and is therefore used for any type of data that a computer needs access to quickly.
RAM is used by programs as they are running. It is also used by your computer when accessing your hard drive. This means As you open more files, it is like covering your desk with more and more items.
On a general note, RAM provides fast read and write access to storage devices of your computer. But RAM is not used to store various data directly, because it is volatile. This means that the data will be retained in RAM, but only as long as the computer is on, furthermore, the stored information will be lost when the computer is turned off?
What Is an SSD?
Unlike the volatile storage the RAM provides, Computers also need some form of non-volatile storage—a place where data can stay even when the computer is turned off, so you don’t have to reload and re-enter everything each time you use the computer. This is where the SSD comes in.
SSD stands for a solid-state drive. An SSD is a type of hard drive, and it is used for permanent storage. It is where the operating system and your programs are installed. It’s where all of your media files are stored. If your computer is running low on storage space, it’s the hard drive that’s used up, not the RAM.
The downside of an SSD is that it is significantly slower than RAM. Solid-state drives are much faster than traditional hard drives, but there is still no comparison. It is not fast enough for data that needs to be accessed immediately.
Interestingly, There are two types of SSDs: flash-based and RAM-based. Storage devices based on NAND flash technology represent the majority of SSDs used today.
Some advantages of SSDs are listed below:
- A quicker data write/read speed. The sequential data read speed of a normal SSD is about 550 MB/s and the data write speed is about 520 MB/s. Moreover, the SSD speed can differ, depending on the interface.
- Shorter boot time. As SSDs can access data speedily, they can greatly shorten the time of booting up and loading files. The average boot-up time of an SSD is 10-13 seconds.
- Improved durability. SSDs are sturdier to physical shock and can work in many demanding situations.
- Lighter weight. SSDs are generally tinnier and lighter than HDDs, so they are more suitable for constant traveling.
- Less noise. Because of the lack of moving parts, SSDs run silently with less heat produced.
- Less power consumption. SSDs have lower power requirements, which add to a longer lifespan of batteries in laptops and tablets.
- Less data fragmentation. Compared with HDDs, SSDs store data in larger and tighter memory sections, which reduces data fragmentation.
How Does Added RAM Improve PC Performance?
Having a large RAM on your PC improves performance by increasing the amount of memory that programs can access while they are running.
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Run Multiple Programs Faster
If your PC has a smaller RAM, the problem will show when you try to run multiple programs at once. Each program has specific RAM requirements, and in this scenario, there simply isn’t enough to go around. This can affect all programs and make them to run slower than normal or even crash completely.
Adding RAM to a computer can prevent this from occurring and allow you to run as many programs as you want simultaneously without performance being impacted.
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Run Large Programs Faster
RAM is also important for running individual programs that are resource-intensive. This includes video games and programs used for video and photo editing. High levels of RAM are particularly important for gaming. Insufficient RAM can prevent some games from running entirely. Higher RAM also allows games to become smoother and more responsive.
How Does an SSD Improve PC Performance?
Unlike RAM, an SSD isn’t going to allow you to run more programs at the same time. However, It will increase the performance in other ways. Like;
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Improve Boot Times
If you replace an HDD with an SSD, the difference in boot time is immediately noticeable. Prior to starting up, a computer has to load the operating system and various system files. By storing these files on an SSD, it’s possible for a computer to boot up in as little as ten seconds.
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Load Games Faster
If your PC cannot run games properly because of insufficient RAM, adding an SSD isn’t going to change that. An SSD, however, is beneficial for gaming. Because of faster read speeds, maps and cut scenes will both load significantly faster.
An SSD Offers More Than Performance. also, It’s a more popular thing to upgrade the SSD because along with increasing PC speed, they also offer additional advantages. The obvious advantage is more storage space. If you want to store more media or install more programs, an SSD provides the ability to do that.
Additionally, SSD is also quieter than an HDD and uses less energy. Hence, an SSD is a useful addition to a laptop because it won’t use up your battery as quickly. Because of this, while adding RAM is usually better for performance, adding an SSD often has more advantages overall.
Should You Buy More RAM or Faster RAM?
Before you add RAM to your laptop, it’s important to understand that there’s a huge difference between adding RAM to a PC, and replacing what’s already there with faster RAM.
Having a faster RAM is helpful and can improve PC performance. However, the amount of RAM that you have is much more important.
If you have to choose between buying more RAM or faster RAM, you should always choose to buy more RAM. RAM speed should only be considered after the amount of RAM you have has already been maximized.
Also, If more storage space is needed, an external drive can be added, most often using USB or Thunderbolt to connect to the computer. This can be a single drive or multiple drives and might use a data storage virtualization technology such as RAID to protect the data.
Additionally, memory has two main aspects that affect the performance of the system: Capacity and speed. The more memory your system has the faster it is going to process any data or task you throw its way that requires this randomly accessed data. If your system performance becomes slower because you don’t have sufficient memory and it starts to run behind, adding memory may be the solution. Some SSDs are also faster than others, but the difference in performance is negligible. Like RAM, the size of an SSD is more important than its speed.
RAM vs SSD Price
As regards the price per GB, RAM is much more expensive than an SSD. As for the ordinary consumer SSDs, a Samsung 1TB SSD, for example, is about $230 on Amazon. Of course, the prices of SSDs vary by brands, interfaces, and other factors, but they are commonly less than 1 dollar per GB.
The common price ranges for different RAM sizes are listed below:
- 1GB stick: about $10 or less
- 2GB stick: about $10 – 20
- 4GB stick: about $20 – 45
- 8GB stick/kit: about $40 – 90
- 16GB stick/kit: about $70 – 100+ for DDR3, or about $80 – 150+ for DDR4
SSD vs. RAM: The Right Choice for You Depends on Your PC
Both RAM and an SSD have the capacity to significantly improve the performance of a PC. The right option for you depends on what your current PC is lacking and what aspects of performance you are hoping to improve.
RAM is usually the better option. It can increase both the type of programs you can run and the number of them that you can run simultaneously. But this only makes sense if your computer is currently low on RAM.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RAM and SSD are always mistaken. Interestingly, they both have the capacity to significantly improve the performance of a PC. The right option for you depends on what your current PC is lacking and what aspects of performance you are hoping to improve.
Although RAM is usually the better option. It can increase both the type of programs you can run and the number of them that you can run simultaneously. But this only makes sense if your computer is currently low on RAM.