What is the Difference Between Static RAM and Dynamic RAM?

The main difference between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM) lies in their speed, cost, power consumption, and data retention properties. Here are the key differences between the two:

Static RAM (SRAM):

• Faster and more expensive than DRAM
• Consists of six transistors, making it faster than DRAM
• Does not require continuous refresh to retain data, resulting in lower power consumption
• Commonly used for a computer's cache memory, such as a processor's L2 or L3 cache
• More complex design and higher manufacturing costs compared to DRAM

Dynamic RAM (DRAM):

• Slower and less expensive than SRAM
• Data is stored in capacitors, which gradually discharge energy, requiring periodic refresh of power to retain data
• Higher power consumption compared to SRAM
• Used to implement main memory
• Lower costs of manufacturing and greater memory capacities compared to SRAM

In summary, SRAM is faster and more expensive, with lower power consumption, while DRAM is slower and less expensive, with higher power consumption. SRAM is typically used for cache memory, where speed and low power consumption are crucial, while DRAM is used for main memory, where higher capacity and lower cost are more important.

Comparative Table: Static RAM vs Dynamic RAM

Here is a table comparing the differences between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM):

SRAM is faster and has lower power consumption than DRAM, making it ideal for creating a speed-sensitive cache. However, it has less memory capacity and higher costs of manufacturing than DRAM, which makes it less suitable for implementing main memory. DRAM is slower and has higher power consumption than SRAM, but it has greater memory capacities and lower costs of manufacturing, making it suitable for main memory.