# Content Addressed Memory (CAM) > The way CAM functions is almost the opposite of random access memory ([RAM](https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/RAM-random-access-memory)). To retrieve data residing on RAM, the [OS](https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/operating-system-OS) provides the memory [address](https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/address) where the data is stored. Data stored on CAM, on the other hand, can be accessed by searching for the content itself, and the memory retrieves the addresses where that content can be found. Because of its [parallel](https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/parallel) nature, CAM is much faster than RAM for searching. > Content addressable memories are classic models in neuroscience. Most simply, they allow us to recognize a situation similar to one that we have seen before, and to “fill in” stored patterns based on partial or noisy information, but they may also be put to use as sub-components of many other functions. --- References * https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/15469/difference-between-content-addressable-memory-and-associative-memory * https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/content-addressed-memory-CAM * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaMR6vYeHoY