1.2 Memory Flashcards
What is Primary Memory?
the component of the computer that holds data, programs, and instructions that are currently in use
What are the 2 types of Primary Memory?
RAM and ROM
What is RAM?
Volatile memory that holds programs and instructions that are currently in use
What is ROM?
A non-volatile piece of memory that holds the bootloader, for example, the BIOS.
When is Virtual Memory used?
Virtual memory is used when the computer has no more available random access memory (RAM).
What are the disadvantages of using Virtual Memory?
It is very slow
And can cause disk thrashing
What is Flash Memory?
A non-volatile piece of memory that can be written to and overwritten
What is the BIOS an example of?
Firmware
What is Firmware?
Hardware-specific software built into a device
What are the dangers of overclocking the CPU?
Can lead to overheating
Crashes
Permanent damage
What is a GPU?
Graphic Processing Unit
What is the purpose of Virtual Memory?
Allow user to run programs there is insufficient RAM for
Move data not recently used to HDD to free up space in RAM
Allows user to run more programs simultaneously with less slow down
Why does the computer need system software?
Provide an interface between software and hardware or control the hardware
What are the benefits from the Operating System performing memory management?
Allocates memory to applications - so employees can run more than one piece of software at once Removes data (from memory) that is no longer needed to free up memory for the employee’s other data / programs Moves data from RAM to VM/ into swap files- allows user to perform tasks as though the computer had more RAM
What are the three types of primary storage?
Cache
RAM
ROM
