Parts of Computer

Parts of the Computer

Memory

The computer uses random access memory, or RAM, as a high-speed working storage space for programs, documents and the intermediate results of calculations. Character for character, RAM storage is about a thousand times more expensive than hard drive space, though it is more than a thousand times faster. It is faster because it consists of millions of tiny transistors that store data as electric charges; the electricity moves at nearly the speed of light. RAM is called "volatile storage" because it can hold data only while the power is on. Flash memory is another form of transistorized data storage. Though slower than RAM, it is less expensive and able to hold its information without power. USB thumb drives store data in flash memory.