RAM and memory are both the most crucial components of a PC. Your PC can’t perform to its optimal level if it doesn’t have compatible RAM. No operating system, be it a Mac, Linux, or Windows, can run properly without sufficient RAM. When it comes to PC storage, RAM and unified memory are preferred choices of many. But which one is the best choice for you between unified memory vs RAM? Is unified memory the same as RAM?. Here is the detailed comparison of Unified Memory vs RAM.
What is Unified Memory?
The unified memory, just like its name, means combined memory for all PC components. Normally, PCs have separate GRAM or VRAM for graphic processing units. Unified memory offers a virtual space for combined memory for different types of GPUs a PC has. It offers a shared pool of memory instead of separate memory pools for each processing unit. Unified memory is essentially the same as RAM. When you go for a unified memory pool for all hardware components in your PC, this will increase your efficiency and faster data processing. Because it is a giant pool of storage that all components can quickly access. What makes it more preferable is that it is available virtually and doesn’t require physical space on your PC. It is a permanent storage solution compared to RAM that offers temporary storage.
Features of Unified Memory
System-Wide Accessibility:
It’s a single memory pool that all PC components can access. This eliminates the need for separate RAMs for different processing units in the PC. The shared memory allows different components to quickly access the storage; this improves system efficiency.
High Bandwidth:
Unified memory improves overall system bandwidth since it eliminates data transfer redundancy. When a system has to access two data storages separately from CPU RAM and GPU RAM, it increases the workload and causes additional time to perform a single task.
Low Latency:
When comparing unified memory vs RAM, another big advantage of unified memory is low latency. Unified memory helps quick data access from CPU and GPU. Since the CPU and GPU work on the same data pool without duplicating it, ensuring quick data access. Unified memory systems work with high-speed interconnects that minimize delays in data sharing.
Memory Encryption:
Unified Memory ensures data security by offering transparent encryption and decryption during data access and migration. Although it doesn’t have its private memory encryption system, it integrates with system-level hardware to ensure secure storage.
Memory Abstraction:
Unified Memory helps computing systems to handle presets of memory resources for developers by simplifying the process. A unified memory abstracts the memory structure of (RAM, cache, and virtual memory) and automatically handles tasks like memory allocation, deallocation, and movement of data between different levels.
Real-time Collaboration:
Unified memory ensures real-time collaboration of different PC components and their respective operations. If we compare Unified Memory vs RAM, this feature is available in both options.
What is A Ram?
RAM is a traditional memory architecture in which the CPU and GPU temporarily store data and use it as per the real-time instructions of the CPU and GPU. It’s a hardware computing device that is physically placed in your motherboard. In most PCs, primary memory is RAM. Although, in recent years, as the technology advances, the GPU requires more RAM. Therefore, PC users have begun to use separate RAM for central processing units and graphic processing units.
Features of a RAM
Compared to unified memory vs RAM, here are some heterogeneous features of RAM that unified memory does not have.
Volatile Nature:
Random Access Memory (RAM) has a highly volatile nature; it only stores data files until the program is on. When you turn off the PC, the data goes missing, and in case you restart it, the data files are fetched to random access memory by either solid state drives or hard disk drives.
Faster Data Access:
When it’s about unified memory vs. RAM, the latter offers much faster access to the data. It directly accesses the PC memory cell without travelling to other locations of data cells. The direct access allows more quick retrieval of data and ensures speedy operations.
Multi-Channel Parallel Access:
The modern PC RAM comes with dual and quad-channel technology. In dual-channel mode, RAM can access two memory modules at the same time. While in quad-channel mode, the RAM can access four memory modules in parallel.
Memory Protection:
Random Access Memory has no inherent memory protection mechanism. However, a combined effort of CPU, MMU and OS can ensure protection from unauthorized access to the memory.
Temporary Storage:
A random-access memory offers a temporary storage solution to the PC. For the permanent storage, you need to get an SSD or HDD. The RAM only stores temporary files while the system is on; as soon as you close the file, the RAM dismisses the data and moves to support next program you open.
Difference Between Ram vs Unified Memory
What is unified memory vs RAM? Here is a comparison chart.
8GB Unified Memory vs 16GB Ram
If you are using Apple M1/M2 chips, 8 GB of RAM would provide sufficient storage for all types of intensive workloads. 16GB of traditional RAM is sufficient for a GPU and CPU but may be less efficient for heterogeneous tasks.
Conclusion
This blog lists a detailed comparison between unified memory and RAM. Unified memory is a high-performing technology that perfectly works with a GPU and CPU simultaneously. The unified memory works great for the computer used for multitasking and heavy workloads since they offer low latency and improve user experience. While RAM is still a good choice for computers with everyday computing.
FAQs
Is 8GB Unified memory is same as 8GB RAM?
Yes, you can say that 8gb Unified memory is the same as 8gb Ram. However, unified memory spends this 8gb ram on both CPU and GPU.
Is ram the same as unified memory?
Unified memory vs RAM, in its essentiality, both are same. In functionality, Unified Memory supports both CPU vs GPU. While ram majorly supports CPU you may require different Vram for GPU.
Is unified RAM better than RAM?
Unified memory is modern technology. It is much faster and a better option than traditional RAM for PCs and laptops.
