Some people get confused about what type of memory is in a PC and what it does. We’ll break down the differences between PC memory and storage. Memory is where information is stored, in this case data bytes of code for a computer, but much like our own brains. Our PC does this in two different ways. Think of it like short-term and long-term memory, one is stored very quickly and erased as soon as you no longer need the information and long-term memory is meant to stay there for the long haul. In a PC, your RAM, or Random Access Memory, is your short-term memory and often referred to as just “memory” whereas your hard or solid state drive is your long-term memory and is often referred to as “storage.”

When someone refers to how much memory a device has, say a new gaming console or PC, they are likely referring to how much RAM, aka short-term memory, the device has. This directly affects the speed and multi-tasking capabilities of the device, keeping frequently used data quick at hand. Things like keeping multiple tabs open in your internet browser to high resolution textures needed in a video game. This second example is actually a special type of RAM called VRAM that is part of a graphics card, but I digress. This type of memory is volatile, meaning that it is only temporarily stored and when the power to the system is shut off, any data that was stored there is wiped clean. RAM is measured in GB and can typically be found in modules from 2GB-64GB per module.

Now storage on the other hand is also measured in GB but in way higher capacities - say from 64GB or 128GB in a phone all the way up to 1 or 2 TBs in a high end PC. Remember, storage is our long-term memory, so you will need more space to save more files that you want to keep for longer periods of time. But that’s okay because storage is WAY cheaper per GB than RAM memory. While more data can be stored in these larger capacities, it takes a little longer for your device to access or write that data. But that data is stored there until you erase it or move it to a new location. Storage is a great way to save things that are larger in file size and don’t need to be ready at a moment’s notice, like pictures, videos, large game files, etc. Now, SSD storage, which stands for solid state drive, will read and access data faster than a traditional HDD (hard disk drive), but not as quickly as RAM. Both are built on flash memory instead of the magnetic disks that hard drives use, so SSD storage is a great way to store large files that you would still like to access relatively quickly, like a game save file for example, which will then reduce loading times.

So when tech specs or pc enthusiasts are talking about memory, you can assume they mean RAM or your PC’s short-term memory. And when they’re listing the storage, they are talking about how much space is available on their hard drive or SSD or aka their long-term memory. Need faster juggling of everyday task? You need more RAM. Need more room for your game save files? You need more storage. While technically both are ways to store data, they operate in very different ways, at different speeds and at different price points. I hope that helps to straighten things out a bit. If not, put those questions in the comments and the hive mind here at Kingston will do our best to help decode.

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