Student in need of help

[matt_fda]

Hi guys. I am a student learning about the world of computers and the hardware and software needed to run them. My recent assignment is to learn about graphics cards and peripherals to gain an understanding of what makes a piece of hardware function.

I have some questions that I was wondering if you could help me with, just so I can paint a clearer picture in my head of what means what, as at the minute I am a little confused. Here goes...

Is RAM seperate to MEMORY? I know that running applications uses RAM, and the more RAM you have the more programs you can run. I am having trouble painting a picture of the two.

MEMORY on a GRAPHICS CARD... I know that an amount of MEMORY is allocated to an APPLICATION in order for it to run, but again I don't know if RAM is MEMORY, or if RAM is just there to allow multiple applications to run.

I know they are basic questions and I have done a lot of research into them, but it's always better to hear from people in the know, especially as this side of computing is completely new to me.

Any advise would be appreciated.

All the best,

Matt

 

[joe3k]

You are in the wrong forum matt. This is a forum meant for Techs. I think the what you are looking for is called "Google".

 

[eric76]

Here you go.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=985

 

[joe3k]

Both of you read here: http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5259

 

[matt_fda]

Thank you for the link on RAM.

 

[Methical]

You are in the wrong forum matt. This is a forum meant for Techs. I think the what you are looking for is called "Google".

Hes aspiring to be a tech, so hes close enough lol. I'm about a week from doin my A+ IT Tech exam lol

But those questions asked where stupid lol. I bet ya if you re-read over what you post Matt, you'd realise the answer.

but again I don't know if RAM is MEMORY

I've only just got up.. ^^^ But that already made my day.

 

[LunchBox]

Hi guys. I am a student learning about the world of computers and the hardware and software needed to run them. My recent assignment is to learn about graphics cards and peripherals to gain an understanding of what makes a piece of hardware function.

I have some questions that I was wondering if you could help me with, just so I can paint a clearer picture in my head of what means what, as at the minute I am a little confused. Here goes...

Is RAM seperate to MEMORY? I know that running applications uses RAM, and the more RAM you have the more programs you can run. I am having trouble painting a picture of the two.

MEMORY on a GRAPHICS CARD... I know that an amount of MEMORY is allocated to an APPLICATION in order for it to run, but again I don't know if RAM is MEMORY, or if RAM is just there to allow multiple applications to run.

I know they are basic questions and I have done a lot of research into them, but it's always better to hear from people in the know, especially as this side of computing is completely new to me.

Any advise would be appreciated.

All the best,

Matt

Like Methical said, you answered your own question.

RAM = Random Access Memory - This would be the memory stick (dont confuse that with a USB memory stick). This stick goes inside your PC. The more you have the better. Video cards also have RAM memory. Works the same the more the better. For both of these when the PC is turned off, whatever is in the memory is gone.

In case you ask about ROM

ROM = Read Only Memory - This would be the BIOS (please dont ask that the BIOS is). The BIOS hold holds information about the PC hardware which is needed to boot the PC up. When the PC is off this type of memory does not loose its information
http://www.kb.iu.edu/data/ahua.html

Now for the best part my consulting fee is $50.00 in US currency. You can paypal me.

Just kidding, but no really.

 

[reesk92]

we have all had things that we didn't know about when we started for instance i got terrified about the millennium bug i ended up wrapping my pc in tin foil.

if he trueley wants to be a tech yes he should goggle more. especially for those seemingly simple questions, but he is still welcome here in my opinion .

 

[LunchBox]

we have all had things that we didn't know about when we started for instance i got terrified about the millennium bug i ended up wrapping my pc in tin foil.

if he trueley wants to be a tech yes he should goggle more. especially for those seemingly simple questions, but he is still welcome here in my opinion .

Exactly I dont mind helping out it also helps me remember the small stuff that I tend to forget.

But his question, well I googled it and both links I provided were the first ones that came up and both are very easy to understand.

Matt,

Some people get upset at some questions they see because no one here knows everything but before they post they have googled.

Of course there are times that they may post first but it will be a very specific issue and they may have that gut feeling that googling may not be enough.

Dont get discouraged by some responses some may be hard but I believe that the best way to learned is the hard way because now you know . . . . GOOGLE WORKS

 

[purple_minion]

One word, wikipedia... use it, love it, sleep with it.

 

[reesk92]

yea but wikipedia is always cheating on you with some other bloke who has a pc and enought time to edit,

 

[matt_fda]

Thanks guys. Yeah I now know I came across quite dim asking those questions, but for some reason I've had it in my head that memory was simply memory, without type such as RAM. I've done a lot of research and have learnt bucket loads, and am glad to hear that I am welcome here.

Thanks

 

[joe3k]

Hmm. Nice to see a junior who doesn't lash back. That shows maturity. Welcome to the forum. I'm glad to hear you've done a lot of research and have learnt bucket loads... thats the first steps to becoming a successful tech

 

[purple_minion]

yea but wikipedia is always cheating on you with some other bloke who has a pc and enought time to edit,

Well EVERYTHING needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but I would think the big ticket items like RAM would be looked at quite a bit, and hopefully would be straightened out.

 

[ComputerRepairStpete]

Hi Matt
there are 2 kinds of memory on a computer 1 is for temporary storage that is called RAM and the other 1 is for permanent storage that is your hard disk.

RAM is not just used for allowing multiple programmes to run this piece of memory is faster then the memory of your hard drive.

Both of this memory allow Read/Write facility. But much of your computer speed depends on the size of your RAM, More RAM more Speed.

The other thing about your computer is you can not directly access your computer hard disk memory RAM is the intermediate memory which allows you to access your hard drive.

I think you might be clear now.