Difference between Virtual Ram VS Physical RAM

Virtual RAM (Virtual Memory) and Physical RAM (Random Access Memory) are related concepts, but they serve different purposes in a computer system.

 

Physical RAM (RAM):

1. Definition:
   • Physical RAM is the actual physical hardware inside your computer that provides volatile memory for the CPU to store and quickly retrieve data.
2. Role:
   • It serves as a fast and temporary storage space for the operating system and running applications.
   • The CPU can access data in RAM much faster than from other storage devices like hard drives or SSDs.
3. Size Limitation:
   • The size of physical RAM is limited by the number of physical memory modules installed on the motherboard. Common sizes include 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and higher.
4. Performance Impact:
   • More physical RAM generally leads to better system performance, especially when dealing with resource-intensive tasks or running multiple applications simultaneously.

 

Virtual RAM (Virtual Memory):

1. Definition:
   • Virtual RAM, or virtual memory, is a memory management technique used by the operating system to simulate additional RAM when the physical RAM is fully utilized.
2. Role:
   • It provides a supplement to physical RAM by using a portion of the computer’s storage (usually the hard drive or SSD) as temporary memory.
3. Size Limitation:
   • The size of virtual RAM is theoretically limitless, as it depends on the available storage space on the hard drive or SSD.
4. Performance Impact:
   • While virtual RAM can prevent the system from running out of memory, accessing data from virtual RAM is much slower than from physical RAM. This can lead to a decrease in overall system performance when the computer relies heavily on virtual memory.

Key Differences:

1. Speed:
   • Accessing data from physical RAM is much faster than accessing data from virtual RAM. Virtual RAM is used when physical RAM is exhausted, and it involves reading and writing data to and from storage devices.
2. Capacity:
   • Physical RAM has a limited capacity determined by the number and size of physical memory modules installed. Virtual RAM, on the other hand, can be much larger but is constrained by the available storage space on the storage device.
3. Volatility:
   • Physical RAM is volatile memory, meaning it loses its content when the computer is powered off. Virtual RAM, being stored on non-volatile storage, retains its content even when the computer is turned off.