Is it possible to implement external RAM?

Question

Iron

Is it possible to implement external RAM?
For example, by connecting a drive via a USB-C or Thunderbolt connector.

Answer 1

What do you mean by "implement"? Sleep on your own?
Most likely the answer is "no". The protocols for working with BIOS, power, and interaction with RAM and external storage are completely different, and you simply will not get the required performance, even if you somehow manage to forward the device into the system as RAM.
If you so need to expand the RAM with an external storage device, use the SWAP file.

Answer 2

You can wear pants over your head.
That's just not worth suggesting to others.
They won't appreciate it.

Answer 3

Yes, but it will be like an external drive, not like additional RAM.
Such a thing is called a hardware ramdisk , I doubt that there are implementations for USB-C or Thunderbolt.

Answer 4

There are such "flash drives" - www.dramdisk.com (4 gigabits per second, yeah). They can store swap (in *nix) or swap file.
It's impossible to make memory completely - nevertheless, the usb-controller works ... how to say ... in the "other direction". The CPU "will not go" to look for free RAM on the usb controller.

Answer 5

operational - no.
but there is a crutch with caching - readyboost
even rarer devices - drives on dimm modules in pci slots. but it's basically just a very fast drive.