{"id":51951,"date":"2024-02-01T09:42:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T17:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/?p=51951"},"modified":"2025-12-11T11:55:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T19:55:06","slug":"whats-diff-ram-vs-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Diff: RAM vs. Storage"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\"A<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Editor\u2019s Note: This post was originally published in 2016 and has since been updated in 2022 and 2023 with the latest information on RAM vs. storage.<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Memory is a finite resource when it comes to both humans and computers\u2014it\u2019s one of the most common causes of computer issues. And if you\u2019ve ever left the house without your keys, you know memory is one of the most common human problems, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re unclear about the different types of memory in your computer, it makes pinpointing the cause of computer problems that much harder. You might hear folks use the terms memory<\/strong> and storage<\/strong> interchangeably, but there are some important differences. Understanding how both components work can help you understand what kind of computer you need, diagnose problems you\u2019re having, and know when it\u2019s time to consider upgrades.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Difference Between RAM and Storage<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Random access memory (RAM) and storage are both forms of computer memory, but they serve different functions.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What Is RAM?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

RAM is volatile memory used by the computer’s processor to store and quickly access data that is actively being used or processed. Volatile memory maintains data only while the device is powered on. RAM takes the form of computer chips\u2014integrated circuits\u2014that are either soldered directly onto the main logic board of your computer or installed in memory modules that go in sockets on your computer\u2019s logic board.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can think of it like a desk\u2014it\u2019s where your computer gets work done. When you double-click on an app, open a document, or do much of anything, part of your \u201cdesk\u201d is covered and can\u2019t be used by anything else. As you open more files, it is like covering your desk with more and more items. Using a desk with a handful of files is easy, but a desk that is covered with a bunch of stuff gets difficult to use.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What Is Computer Storage?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On the other hand, storage is used for long-term data retention, like a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). Compared with RAM, this type of storage is non-volatile, which means it retains information even when a device is powered off. You can think of storage like a filing cabinet\u2014a place next to your desk where you can retrieve information as needed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

RAM vs. Storage: How Do They Compare?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Speed and Performance<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Two of the primary differences between RAM and storage are speed and performance. RAM is significantly faster than storage. Data stored in RAM can be written and accessed almost instantly, so it\u2019s very fast\u2014milliseconds fast. DDR4 RAM, one of the newer types of RAM technology, is capable of a peak transfer rate of 25.6GB\/s! RAM has a very fast path to the computer\u2019s central processing unit (CPU)<\/a>, the brain of the computer that does most of the work.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Storage, as it\u2019s slower in comparison, is responsible for holding the operating system (OS), applications, and user data for the long term\u2014it should still be fast, but it doesn\u2019t need to be as fast as RAM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That said, computer storage is getting faster thanks to the popularity of SSDs<\/a>. SSDs are much faster than hard drives since they use integrated circuits instead of mechanical platters that have to be read sequentially, like HDDs. SSDs use a special type of memory circuitry called non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)<\/a> to store data, so those shorter term memory access points stay in place even when the computer is turned off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even though SSDs are faster than HDDs, they\u2019re still slower than RAM. There are two reasons for that difference in speed. First, the memory chips in SSDs are slower than those in RAM. Second, there is a bottleneck created by the interface that connects the storage device to the computer. RAM, in comparison, has a much faster interface.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Capacity and Size<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

RAM is typically smaller in capacity compared to storage. It is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), whereas storage capacities can reach multiple terabytes or even petabytes. The smaller size of RAM is intentional, as it is designed to store only the data currently in use, ensuring quick access for the processor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Volatility and Persistence<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another key difference is the volatility of RAM and the persistence of storage. RAM is volatile, meaning it loses its data when the power is turned off or the system is rebooted. This makes it ideal for quick data access and manipulation, but unsuitable for long-term storage. Storage is non-volatile or persistent, meaning it retains data even when the power is off, making it suitable for holding files, applications, and the operating system over extended periods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Much RAM Do I Have?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Understanding how much RAM you have might be one of your first steps for diagnosing computer performance issues.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Use the following steps to confirm how much RAM your computer has installed. We\u2019ll start with an Apple computer. Click on the Apple<\/strong> menu<\/strong> and then click About This Mac<\/strong>. In the screenshot below, we can see that the computer has 16GB of RAM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"A<\/a>\r\n
How much RAM on macOS (Apple menu > About This Mac).<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With a Windows 11 computer, use the following steps to see how much RAM you have installed. Open the Control Panel<\/strong> by clicking the Windows<\/strong> button and typing \u201ccontrol panel,\u201d then click System and Security<\/strong>, and then click System<\/strong>. Look for the line \u201cInstalled RAM.\u201d In the screenshot below, you can see that the computer has 32GB of RAM installed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"A<\/a>\r\n
How much RAM on Windows 11 (Control Panel > System and Security > System).<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Much Computer Storage Do I Have?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To view how much free storage space you have available on a Mac computer, use these steps. Click on the Apple<\/strong> menu, then System Settings<\/strong>, select General, and then open Storage<\/strong>. In the screenshot below, we\u2019ve circled where your available storage is displayed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"A<\/a>\r\n
Disk space on Mac OS (Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Storage).<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With a Windows 11 computer, it is also easy to view how much available storage space you have. Click the Windows<\/strong> button and type in \u201cfile explorer.\u201d When File Explorer<\/strong> opens, click on This PC<\/strong> from the list of options in the left-hand pane. In the screenshot below, we\u2019ve circled where your available storage is displayed (in this case, 200GB).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"A<\/a>\r\n
Disk Space on Windows 10 (File Explorer > This PC).<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How RAM and Storage Affect Your Computer\u2019s Performance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

RAM<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For most general-purpose uses of computers\u2014email, writing documents, surfing the web, or watching Netflix\u2014the RAM that comes with our computer is enough. If you own your computer for a long enough time, you might need to add a bit more to keep up with memory demands from newer apps and OSes. Specifically, more RAM makes it possible for you to use more apps, documents, and larger files at the same time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

People that work with very large files like large databases, videos, and images can benefit significantly from having more RAM. If you regularly use large files, it is worth checking to see if your computer\u2019s RAM is upgradeable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Adding More RAM to Your Computer<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In some situations, adding more RAM is worth the expense. For example, editing videos and high-resolution images takes a lot of memory. In addition, high-end audio recording and editing as well as some scientific work require significant RAM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, not all computers allow you to upgrade RAM. For example, the Chromebook typically has a fixed amount of RAM, and you cannot install more. So, when you\u2019re buying a new computer\u2014particularly if you plan on using that computer for more than five years, make sure to 1) understand how much RAM your computer has, and, 2) if you can upgrade the computer\u2019s RAM.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When your computer\u2019s RAM is filled up, your computer has to get creative to keep working. Specifically, your computer starts to temporarily use your hard drive or SSD as \u201cvirtual memory.\u201d If you have relatively fast storage like an SSD, virtual memory will be fast. On the other hand, using a traditional hard drive will be fairly slow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Storage<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Besides RAM, the most serious bottleneck to improving performance in your computer can be your storage. Even with plenty of RAM installed, computers need to read and write information from the storage system (i.e., the HDD or the SSD).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Hard drives come in different speeds and sizes. For laptops and desktops, the most common RPM rates are between 5400\u20137200RPM. In some cases, you might even decide to use a 10,000RPM drive. Faster drives cost more, are louder, have greater cooling needs, and use more power, but they may be a good option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

New disk technologies enable hard drives to be bigger and faster. These technologies include filling the drive with helium<\/a> instead of air to reduce disk platter friction and using heat or microwaves to improve disk density, such as with heat-assisted magnetic recording<\/a> (HAMR) drives and microwave-assisted magnetic recording<\/a> (MAMR) drives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Today, SSDs are becoming increasingly popular for computer storage. This type of computer storage is popular because it is faster, cooler, and takes up less space than traditional hard drives. They\u2019re also less susceptible to magnetic fields and physical jolts, which makes them great for laptops.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For more about the difference between HDDs and SSDs, check out our post, \u201cHard Disk Drive (HDD) vs. Solid-state Drive (SSD): What\u2019s the Diff?\u201d<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Adding More Computer Storage<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As a user\u2019s disk storage needs increase, typically they will look to larger drives to store more data. The first step might be to replace an existing drive with a larger, faster drive<\/a>. Or you might decide to install a second drive. One approach is to use different drives for different purposes. For example, use an SSD for the operating system, and then store your business videos on a larger SSD.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If more storage space is needed, you can also use an external drive, most often using USB or Thunderbolt to connect to the computer. This can be a single drive or multiple drives and might use a data storage virtualization technology such as RAID to protect the data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you have really large amounts of data, or simply wish to make it easy to share data with others in your location or elsewhere, you might consider network-attached storage (NAS)<\/a>. A NAS device can hold multiple drives, typically uses a data virtualization technology like RAID<\/a>, and is accessible to anyone on your local network and\u2014if you wish\u2014on the internet, as well. NAS devices can offer a great deal of storage and other services that typically have been offered only by dedicated network servers in the past.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Back Up Early and Often<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As a cloud storage company, we\u2019d be remiss not to mention that you should back up your computer. No matter how you configure your computer\u2019s storage, remember that technology can fail (we know a thing or two about that<\/a>). You always want a backup so you can restore everything easily. The best backup strategy<\/a> shouldn\u2019t be dependent on any single device, either. Your backup strategy should always include three copies of your data on two different mediums with one off-site.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

FAQs About Differences Between RAM and Storage<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
What is the difference between internal storage and RAM and internal storage?<\/strong>\r\n

Internal storage is a method of data storage that writes data to a disk, holding onto that data until it\u2019s erased. Think of it as your computer\u2019s brain. RAM is a method of communicating data between your device\u2019s CPU and its internal storage. Think of it as your brain\u2019s short-term memory and ability to multi-task. The data the RAM receives is volatile, so it will only last until it\u2019s no longer needed, usually when you turn off the power or reset the computer.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Is it better to have more RAM or more storage?<\/strong>\r\n

If you\u2019re looking for better PC performance, you can upgrade either RAM or storage for a boost in performance. More RAM will make it easier for your computer to perform multiple tasks at once, while upgrading your storage will improve battery life, make it faster to open applications and files, and give you more space for photos and applications. This is especially true if you\u2019re switching your storage from a hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid state drive (SSD).<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Does RAM give you more storage?<\/strong>\r\n

More RAM does not provide you with more free space. If your computer is giving you notifications that you\u2019re getting close to running out of storage or you\u2019ve already started having to delete files to make room for new ones, you should upgrade the internal storage, not the RAM.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Are memory and storage the same?<\/strong>\r\n

Memory and storage are also not the same thing, even though the words are often used interchangeably. Memory is another term for RAM.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The difference between RAM and storage is a confusing issue for many computer users. We explain these terms to help you get the best of both for your computer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":159,"featured_media":105123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5,362],"tags":[469],"class_list":["post-51951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cloud-storage","category-mac-love","category-whats-the-diff","tag-consumerbackup","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRAM vs. Storage: The Difference Between Memory and Storage Explained<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"RAM vs. storage: let\u2019s examine these two parts of your computer, how they work together, and how they affect your computer\u2019s performance.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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Think of it as your brain\u2019s short-term memory and ability to multi-task. The data the RAM receives is volatile, so it will only last until it\u2019s no longer needed, usually when you turn off the power or reset the computer.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage\/#faq-question-1706807565007","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage\/#faq-question-1706807565007","name":"Is it better to have more RAM or more storage?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you\u2019re looking for better PC performance, you can upgrade either RAM or storage for a boost in performance. More RAM will make it easier for your computer to perform multiple tasks at once, while upgrading your storage will improve battery life, make it faster to open applications and files, and give you more space for photos and applications. This is especially true if you\u2019re switching your storage from a hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid state drive (SSD).","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage\/#faq-question-1706807594839","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage\/#faq-question-1706807594839","name":"Does RAM give you more storage?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"More RAM does not provide you with more free space. 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