A discussion related with SRAMs and DRAMs.

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Choosing between SRAM and DRAM involves prioritizing criteria like speed, power consumption, and space efficiency. DRAM offers greater space savings but requires refreshing circuitry, which increases power consumption despite its lower baseline power usage. In devices like calculators, SRAM is preferred for its speed and low power needs, while PCs utilize DRAM for main memory and SRAM for cache due to its faster access times. The limitations of DRAM in certain applications stem from factors like speed and cost, which influence the overall performance and design choices. Ultimately, the decision hinges on matching RAM properties to specific application requirements.
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I have always wondered the criteria behind choosing between SRAMs and DRAMs. I know a few of them- like SPEED, POWER, SPACE, etc. But how do we know which one has to be prioritized?

In case of Space, DRAM wins, but loses in Speed of operation. Though DRAMs are less power consuming than SRAMs, the refreshing circuitry adds to the power requirement and makes DRAM more power consuming.
However, the space saving done by DRAM comprehensivley defeats the limitations of this technology!

How do we then decide which one to use in our device? For example, calculators are designed to be compact, yet fast and consume very little power, to the extent that simple dry cells are used to power them! How can we predict the type of RAM used in a calculator based on these?

In the case of a PC, for example, RAMs are DRAMs, but cache memories are SRAMs due to the latter's higher operational speed. Does it mean that with SRAM technology, our PCs could have been faster?

And, if DRAMs have outclassed SRAMs in context of Random Access Memory designs of PCs, what is the limitation that limits their total supremacy over SRAMs? Is it just speed? Or is there some other limitation as well?
 
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Sure, there are many properties. Speed, cost, non-volatility. You compare the properties to the application and make a choice. That's the same in any field, not just computers. How does a trucking company decide on the mix of truck types to buy?
 
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