Why is computer memory called RAM? Here’s the answer

When buying a PC, it’s not just one component that matters, such as the best graphics card or the most powerful CPU. Instead, there are many separate pieces to consider when making your decision.

RAM is an important component, especially for demanding applications like gaming or video editing. It acts as a cache for all important data, programs, etc. of your system for faster access. Working memory is also called RAM, but why does it exist?

Further reading: Why Mixing Your PC’s RAM Can Lead to Disaster

What does RAM stand for?

The word RAM stands for random access memory. This already includes the working memory we’re talking about here, but what about the randomness of it?

This is an outdated term. RAM is the anti-model of the previously used working memory, where all workflows could only be processed in a specific order. With modern RAM, the system can in principle access any data memory without following a predetermined order.

A more appropriate translation here is direct memory access. However, the abbreviation dynamic random access memory has been reserved for dynamic RAM, which is sometimes used as a synonym but actually describes a specific type of working memory in semiconductors.

Difference Between RAM and VRAM

VRAM describes video memory, the working memory of the graphics card. Only processes directly related to the output of images and video material are stored here, such as when you play video games.

VRAM also plays an important role in the rendering process. If you have a reasonably large amount of video memory in addition to regular RAM, your PC can display complex scenes and 3D objects faster without running out of RAM.

Creative professionals especially benefit from VRAM, but if set too high, systems without enough VRAM will hit their limits when playing games. Therefore, VRAM utilization is just as important as normal working memory utilization.