1.1 Hardware - Primary Storage Flashcards
What is Primary Storage also known as?
Main Memory
What is the primary storage used for?
Component used to hold data, programs & instructions that are currently in use.
Where is primary storage located and what is the benefit of it being there?
By being located on the Motherboard the data can be written to and read from really quickly. This allows for fast access processing.
What are the 2 groups of primary storages? Explain them
Volatile Memory - This will lose it content/data once power is cut.
Non-Volatile Memory - This will keep the data stored in it even if power is cut
What are the 4 different Primary storages with a brief description?
Read Only Memory (ROM) - Non-Volatile Memory in which the data cannot be changed.
Random Access Memory (RAM) - Volatile Memory that is constantly being written to/read from.
Flash Memory - Non-Volatile Memory that can be read from and written to. Can be used as Secondary Storage.
Cache Memory - Volatile Memory that refers to parts of the ram, storage disk, CPU or it can store web pages.
How large is Primary storage? (Both aspects).
Primary storage is typically small and due to the size restraints it doesn’t hold much storage. Currently ranging from 2GB-16GB per storage piece.
Give a more in depth explanation on ROM.
Non-Volatile primary storage that can’t have its information read but not written.
As nothing can be written to ROM and it’s permanent it makes it ideal for storing the Instructions and Data needed for the computer run.
What is ROM used for and why?
It is used for BIOS as this data can’t be overwritten/changed and it is permanent which is good as the BIOS is essential for the computer to run.
Problem is this BIOS can’t be upgraded.
Give a more in depth explanation on RAM.
Volatile primary storage which once power is cut contents are lost.
It contains multiple store locations each with a unique address.
It is called Random Access because the contents can be accessed from anywhere within the storage.
What is RAM used for and why?
This temporary storage holds the data and instructions of that which is currently being used such as any programs or documents that are running as they are needed know but the programs will close later once the power is cut anyways.
Give a more in depth explanation on Flash Memory.
Can be written to and overwritten just like RAM except that this is Non-Volatile so the contents remain.
While it may not be as fast as RAM it is still very fast and it doesn’t require as much power plus it doesn’t contain any moving parts unlike a HDD.
What is Flash Memory used for and why?
Due to the low energy consumption and no moving parts it is small making it ideal for many devices such as tablets or cameras.
It can also be used as external storage in USBs or SSDs.
Also used to store BIOS as it’s non-volatile but the BIOS in this can also be upgraded as the contents can be changed.
Give a more in depth explanation on Cache Memory?(Was in CPU deck so you can skip it)
You can skip this.
High Speed Volatile RAM built into the processor.
There are 2 levels of cache. Level 1, Level 2 (L1, L2)
L1: Fast Transfer Rates but low storage.
L2: Slower in Transfer Rates but more storage.
What is Cache Memory used for and why?
SKIP IT
Just Skip these things.
As it is built into the processor it is much faster than the RAM for the FDE cycle.
L1 used to hold the small percent of Data & Instructions that are most likely to be used by the CPU.
L2 used to hold most of the Data & Instructions that won’t be used by as frequently.
What Primary Storages are Volatile?
Cache Memory
Random Access Memory
