DEFINITION

 The RAM or random-access

memory is the primary memory of
a computer. Currently, it takes the
form of integrated circuits which
allow stored data to be accessed in
any order (which is why it is called
random) regardless of its physical
location and whether or not it is
related to the previous bit of data.
 It is often associated with volatile
types of memory (like DRAM memory
modules) where the information is lost
when the electrical power is turned
off. Other types of RAM memory
include types of ROM and a type of
flash memory called NOR-Flash.
 Script: definition of RAM
 Charice’s RAM or Random Access Memory
served as her primary memory.
 Her RAM caused her to suffer from short term
memory loss as it is associated with volatile types
of memory where all information is lost when the
power is turned off.

Harris, A., (2003), “Nanotube chip could hold 10 gigabits”, Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3838-
nanotube-chip-could-hold-10-gigabits.html.
the future of ram
 RAM
 measured in terms of its quantitative (price and performance) and qualitative (software and
hardware architecture) aspects
 As technology progresses, RAM chips become faster. Since RAM can greatly improve performance,
the type and amount of RAM a motherboard will support becomes a major factor when picking a new
computer.
 cheaper: price of ram had tumbled from $5,000 to $0.05 per megabyte (1987-2007)
 Within a few years, flash memory will be used to fill the gap between
traditional RAM and traditional disk drives in many operating systems, file
systems, and database systems.
 flash memory can be used to extend ram or persistent storage. these
models are called extended buffer pool and extended disk

Graefe, G., (2009), “The Five-minute Rule 20 Years Later”, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 52, pp. 48-59.
 Carbon Nanotubes (NRAM: Nanoscale Random
Access Memory)
 can hold more data
 be faster
 non-volatile
 can solve many of the issues with computers today
 slow bootup times could be ended
 safety to users from brownouts/blackouts/electric failures
 system will stay in exact same state prior to shutdown
 long documents you worked hard for can be saved in cases
of power failure
Knight, W., (2003), “Nanotube chip could hold 10 gigabits”, Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3838-
nanotube-chip-could-hold-10-gigabits.html.

1984: 16 mb, 1995: 512 mb, 2003: 2 gb, now: 3-4 gb

Script: future
 In the future, she could have been able to change her RAM to
a technology that uses Carbon Nanotubes so that she can hold
more data, be faster, and have non-volatile RAM (which could
enable her to retain her primary memory even after power is
switched off).
 RAM would have been cheaper and would have been able to
help her solve some of her current problems. For example, she
wouldn’t have to worry about power failures when she is
staying up late just to do a long document. The document she
was working on would still be in the exact same state prior to
her shutting down.

Knight, W., (2003), “Nanotube chip could hold 10 gigabits”, Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3838-
nanotube-chip-could-hold-10-gigabits.html.

Graefe, G., (2009), “The Five-minute Rule 20 Years Later”, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 52, pp. 48-59.

Greene, K., (2009), “Racetrack Memory”, Technology Review, Vol. 112, pp. 40-41.
  racetrack memory: stores data in vertical
nanowires, fast like the dynamic random
access memory (dram) used to hold
frequently accessed data in computers
yet it can store info even when power is
off because no atoms are moved in the
process of reading and writing data,
eliminating where on the wire

Greene, K., (2009), “Racetrack Memory”, Technology Review, Vol. 112, pp. 40-41.