system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How does RAM work?

I mean I know how to put it in, but like what does the ram chip actually do? I know it increases RAM storage, but how does that storage work?
gpt
Heres an analogy comparing a computer to an office desk

Obligatory edit: the context here is OP's question, this is not nor ever was intended to be the end all perfect analogy. Remember ELI5 guidelines folks.

The hard drives are long term storage, like file cabinets

The RAM is how big the top of the table is, like how many papers you can look at face-up at the same time (after you're done 'loading' it into the table from said cabinet) 

The CPU speed is how fast you can move your hands to flip papers over and do stuff

The GPU speed is how fast a printer can print out high definition pictures on a sheet of paper

Edit: RAM doesnt store things long term cause the "office" has a clean desk policy, all desk papers gotta go to the file cabinet at end of day (when the power is off) cause the janitor will just throw away anything that isnt nailed down.

A bigger file cabinet (high capacity hard drive) does hold more but isnt faster, one heavy-ass cabinet sure does hold a lot but it's hard to move. An SSD is like one of those tiny desk organizers with lots of little drawers, you can move stuff much quicker but it doesnt hold as much

Dual core CPU is like having two arms, quad core like 4 arms etc. You can imagine that so many arms wont always be useful, which is why a 16-core CPU (lots of skinny spider arms) might not play games as well as a few beefy hulk arms.

Hope this helps :)