Static random-access memory

Static random-access memory (static RAM or SRAM) is a type of random-access memory (RAM) that uses latching circuitry (flip-flop) to store each bit. SRAM is volatile memory; data is lost when power is removed.

The term static differentiates SRAM from DRAM (dynamic random-access memory):

• SRAM will hold its data permanently in the presence of power, while data in DRAM decays in seconds and thus must be periodically refreshed.
• SRAM is faster than DRAM but it is more expensive in terms of silicon area and cost.
• Typically, SRAM is used for the cache and internal registers of a CPU while DRAM is used for a computer's main memory.