what is the difference between RAM and CPU?

[Korepavore]

i know it might sound ridiculous to some of you but im still new to this scene 

[Glenwing]

The CPU does all the data processing, RAM is just temporary storage for data that the CPU is currently working with.

[EarthboundHero]

The CPU processes all the information, the RAM holds the information for the CPU to process.

[Guest Kloaked]

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the device that sits inside of a DIMM slot on a PC motherboard (unless otherwise noted, such as laptops that have the memory built into the motherboard). It is sent information to become actively used by the system. It's volatile memory, meaning no information put on it is permanent. They look like this:

 

 

or this:

 

 

CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a PCB with microprocessors put on it and sits in it's own socket on a motherboard (unless otherwise noted, such as laptops with the CPU built into the motherboard). It basically controls what the PC does. This is what they look like:

 

 

Or this:

 

[KemoKa]

Picture it like this:
You've got a construction worker working on a job somewhere. If the construction worker is the CPU, then the RAM is his toolbox that he has right next to him. It's not as fast as the cache (his tool belt) but it's a lot faster than going down to his van (hard drive) and grabbing tools from that.

[Sudo Chocolate]

People already did a great job but I thought I could add. The RAM and CPU are kind of like a team (actually, lets just say they are a team). The CPU receives all the inputs from the user and processes them. While it stores things like data and system variables for later in the RAM. The RAM receives the data and where it should be stored from the cpu and then just flicks a few switches which store the data as on(0) or off(1) (binary).

 

lets do an example of how your computer would handle a basic math equation (4+4):

 

1: Your computer receives the text from your keyboard and converts they key clicks to binary values: 100 +* 100 (100 is equal to four in binary)

* it would also convert + to a certain number/command in binary but I am not sure what it is. Don't worry about it.

2: your computer sends those values and the command (+) to RAM to be stored until it is ready.

3: next the processor would also send data to the GPU (graphics processing unit) to display '4+4' on you screen.

4: The CPU is now ready to execute 4+4 so it gets the data back from RAM and the command (+) tells it to use the ALU*

* the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is a part of the CPU that handles all arithmetic (math) and logic (ex. A=C).

5: the CPU successfully runs the command and data through the ALU and gets the output 8 which it stores in RAM at a certain address

6: The CPU now retrieves the data from RAM to once again send it to the GPU to show you on the screen.

 

Of course this happens very quickly but I hope this explains a bit more! There is a ton of exciting stuff to learn so do some research! This example was not entirely exact and not very thorough but I hope it gives you a basic explanation. A CPU can only do one things at a time (of course some have more cores, a different story) so the RAM is used to hold all of the stuff a CPU needs. It is kind of like a computer's hard drive for it's photos and documents but alot simpler and it gets erased every time you shut down.

 

Hope this helps!

Sudo Chocolate

[inactive account]