Unlike DRAM, SRAM does not require periodic refreshing to retain its data (as long as power remains on). What is the underlying circuit-level reason for this difference?

Q: What does this quiz question cover?

This free Computer Science Computer Fundamentals Primary Memory (RAM/ROM) question is part of Quiz 2. It is for focused practice, not a past paper.

Q: How do I see the correct answer?

Click an option to reveal the solution, or use Reveal solution. The answer and explanation then appear under the options.

Q: Can I practise the full set?

Yes. Use Practice this set to attempt Quiz 2 without seeing answers. After you finish, Quizst scores the set and shows solutions.

Q: Where can I find more questions like this?

Use Previous and Next, the related Primary Memory (RAM/ROM) questions below, or go back to the question list for the rest of the set.

Question

Unlike DRAM, SRAM does not require periodic refreshing to retain its data (as long as power remains on). What is the underlying circuit-level reason for this difference?

Accepted Answer

The key difference lies in how each stores a bit at the circuit level. SRAM uses multiple transistors (commonly 6 transistors per cell in a standard design) arranged in a stable, self-reinforcing flip-flop-like configuration, which holds its state (0 or 1) reliably on its own for as long as power is supplied, without needing any periodic re-writing. DRAM, by contrast, uses just one capacitor and one transistor per cell -- far more compact and cheaper to manufacture per bit, but reliant on that leaky capacitor's charge, which requires the periodic refreshing discussed elsewhere. This trade-off (SRAM: faster and no refresh needed, but larger and more expensive per bit; DRAM: slower and needs refreshing, but much cheaper and denser) is exactly why SRAM is used for small, fast cache memory, while DRAM is used for a computer's much larger main memory.

Computer Science :: Computer Fundamentals :: Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

More questions from Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

Frequently asked questions

Computer Science :: Computer Fundamentals :: Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

More questions from Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

Frequently asked questions