Volatile memory

Computer memory types
Volatile
RAM
DRAM (e.g., DDR SDRAM) SRAM
In development
T-RAM Z-RAM TTRAM
Historical
Williams-Kilburn tube (1946-47) Delay line memory (1947) Selectron tube (1953) Dekatron
Non-volatile
ROM
Mask ROM PROM EPROM EEPROM
NVRAM
Flash memory
Early stage NVRAM
nvSRAM FeRAM MRAM PRAM
Mechanical
Magnetic tape Hard drive Optical drive
In development
CBRAM SONOS RRAM Racetrack memory NRAM Millipede memory FJG
Historical
Paper data storage (1725) Drum memory (1932) Magnetic-core memory (1949) Plated wire memory (1957) Thin-film memory (1962) Twistor memory (~1968) Bubble memory (~1970)

Volatile memory, also known as volatile storage, is a computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information, in other words it needs power to reach the computer memory. Volatile memory retains the information as long as power supply is on, but when power supply is off or interrupted the stored memory is lost; unlike non-volatile memory which does not require a maintained power supply. It has been more popularly known as temporary memory.

See also

• Memory refresh