SDRAM vs SSD: Everything you need to know

by Paul | Last Updated: July 5, 2022

SDRAM is Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory while SSD is Solid State Drive.

SDRAM vs SSD?

SDRAM is where temporary memory is stored then in comparison with SSD which is the long-term storage of your apps and programs.

SDRAM

SDRAM is synchronized with the CPU clock. The advantage of this is the CU clock knows the timing or the number of cycles the data will be available. CPU will not need to wait for foe the memory excess and because of that we can increase the memory read and write speed

Before we can understand this SDRAM, first we need to learn the terminologies used in DRAM, This RAM has two types of frequencies

The first is the Input/ output clock frequency and the second is the RAM internal clock frequency.

The I/O frequency is the frequency at which data is being transferred between the RAM and memory controller.

The internal clock frequency of the RAM is the frequency that is being used by the RAM for internal operations.

In the case of the synchronous DRAM, this I/O frequency and the internal clock frequency of the RAM are the same.

If the internal clock frequency of the RAM IS 100mh, then I/O is also 100mh, and generally, if you see the SDRAM the operating frequency is in the range of 100-133mh.

Suppose if you find the PC 100 on the SDRAM model it means that the I/O bus clock frequency is 100MHz and the data that is being transferred between the realm and the memory controller is at the range of 100m/s

If this bus is 64m wide, then the data rate in terms of the bit/sec is equal to 100MHz into 64bits. Then if you convert it into a multibyte it will be divided by 8 which is 800MB/s

Types of SDRAM

SDRAM volumes are operated at 3.3v. Now synchronous DRAM is also known as single data rate SDRAM. The data is transferred at the early rising stage of the clock cycle.

The next type of SDRAM is known as DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM). The data is transferred twice during the clock cycle during the positive rise and the negative rise. That is why it is known as the DDR SDRAM

If you see the DDR SDRAM, there are different generations in this DDR realm. The first one is DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 to the last one DDR4. Nowadays the memory, the memories are there to use in the desktop, laptop, or mobile devices in DD3 or DD4 RAM.

SSD

When you want to store data on your computer you use the SSD, which is a newer, faster, and expensive choice called Solid-state drive or SSD

SSD uses flash memory which involves no moving parts, flash memory is much faster than disk space memory but it comes with a higher cost. Flash memory technology evolves quickly, prices continue to drop while storages sizes are on the rise making SSD’s and viable alternative to hard drives.

When it comes to speed and size, they are about 10x faster than hard drives but still are, more than 10 times slower than RAM.

They have the benefit to work as a long-term storage option, just like a hard drive, even though they can not currently store much data and they can not do it coat effectively.

SSD will load everything on your PC faster than a hard drive, for example, if you install your OS on an SSD your PC will boot up significantly faster.

To benefit from the speed of SSD without having to sacrifice storage space, many people include both SSD and hard drive in their PC.

They will install their OS, their most commonly used apps, and games on the SSD. Then use the hard drives to store files such as videos, images, and other documents.

Different SSDs, also use different types of flash memory. The original flash memory type is SLC and it stores 1 bit of data per memory cell. SLC is still used in some enterprise SSDs where maximum reliability is valued over cost.

MLC and TLC are newer types that store more data in the same amount of space, sacrificing a bit of reliability for a cheaper cost and more storage capacity.

3D or V-NAND is a further enhancement to fix more data in less space is involves stacking a bunch of data memory cells on top of each other

Inside a SAMSUNG 850 pro SSD, the black packages on the green board contain the flash memory chip which is expanded above. Each flash memory chip contains billions of memory cells.

You can see a 3D stack of a few thousand if we zoom in on a small section. For sacrificing reliability to fit more data in the same amount of space.

How reliable are SSDs?

Should you be worried about storing your important data in these little magic boxes. The short answer is SSDs are at least reliable on a desktop and are a way better choice for a laptop because they do not have any movable parts to break when they drop.

Endurance was a problem with early SSDs because individual memory cells of flash memory wear out faster than a magnetic disk hard drive.

Now modern SSDs this is no longer an issue for normal users, even a low endurance modern SSD can withstand writing 100GB of data every single day for 20 years, and that is a lot.

SSD contains solid-state capacitors, firm layers, PCB, electrical connectors, and all of the little parts that can or do occasionally fail. Whether your data is on an SSD or hard drive always backup anything important.

Advantages of SSD.

A couple of advantages of SSD is noise and power use

SSDs are silent because they have no moving parts, if you are a fan of quiet computers this gives SSD another advantage.

SSD also uses less power, this is more helpful for laptop battery life. Although it does not matter much on a desktop.

If you can afford it, I highly recommended SSD, a small SSD to install your operating system on should be considered as it is one of the most noticeable PC upgrades you can make.