Technology

Memory

Memory is the core semiconductor technology (RAM, ROM, Flash) that provides rapid, temporary, or permanent storage for a computer's working data and machine code.

Memory technology is the critical link for data access, categorized primarily by volatility and speed. Volatile memory, like high-speed SRAM (used in CPU caches) and high-density DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory), holds data only while powered: DRAM access times are typically around 10 nanoseconds. Non-volatile memory, such as NAND flash (used in SSDs), retains data without power, offering massive storage capacity at a lower cost per gigabyte. Emerging technologies like MRAM (Magnetoresistive RAM) and PCM (Phase-Change Memory) are actively bridging the performance gap, aiming to combine the speed of DRAM with the persistence of Flash for next-generation computing systems.