Part of the Storage hardware glossary:

Volatile memory is computer storage that only maintains its data while the device is powered. Most RAM (random access memory) used for primary storage in personal computers is volatile memory.

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Volatile memory contrasts with nonvolatile memory, which does not lose content when power is lost. Non-volatile memory has a continuous source of power and does not need to have its memory content periodically refreshed. Examples of non-volatile memory include the hard disk, CD-ROM and storage devices like SATA or PCI express-based flash storage.

This was last updated in November 2012
Contributor(s): Ivy Wigmore
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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