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GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 (OCR) > 1.2 Memory > Flashcards

1.2 Memory Flashcards

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1
Q

What does ROM do?

A

Holds the 1st instructions for the computer to boot up (BIOS).
You can only read this.

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2
Q

What does RAM do?

A

Holds the instructions of the data, OS and applications currently in use.
You can read and write (edit) the RAM.

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3
Q

Why is RAM volatile?

A

Everything stored in it is deleted when not connected to a power supply.

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4
Q

Which is bigger: RAM or ROM?

A

RAM.

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5
Q

Why is RAM faster than a hard drive?

A

It uses solid state chips.

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6
Q

What happens if the BIOS is written over?

A

The motherboard won’t work and instructions are lost.

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7
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

An area on the hard drive that OS transfers the data that is being least used with the currently used data when the RAM is full.

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8
Q

How do you overcome the creation of virtual memory?

A

Add more RAM.

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9
Q

What is disk thrashing?

A

When data is frequently swapped between the RAM and virtual memory, causing the programs to slow.

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10
Q

Why don’t applications run on the hard disk?

A

It’s too slow so data is transferred to the RAM which is faster.

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11
Q

What is flash memory?

A

Non-volatile drive which can read and write.

E.g. solid-state drive, USB, SD cards.

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12
Q

Why is flash memory more expensive than a hard disk?

A

Because it’s more portable, durable and reliable due to non-moving parts (less susceptible to damage).

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13
Q

What does RAM stand for?

A

Random Access Memory

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14
Q

What does RAM do?

A

Stores data and instructions when an application is running

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15
Q

True/False: Data can be read from and written to RAM

A

True

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16
Q

Is RAM volatile or non-volatile?

A

Volatile

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17
Q

What does volatile mean?

A

If you turn off the power, the data is lost

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18
Q

What does ROM stand for?

A

Read Only Memory

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19
Q

What does ROM do?

A

Stores instructions that don’t need to be changed during normal use

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20
Q

What is stored in the ROM?

A

The BIOS (start up instructions)

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21
Q

True/False: Data can be read from and written to ROM

A

False, data can only be read from ROM

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22
Q

Is ROM volatile or non-volatile?

A

Non-volatile

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23
Q

What does non-volatile mean?

A

It retains data even if the power is turned off

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24
Q

How much RAM would a typical smartphone have?

A

2GB

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25
Q

How much RAM would a typical games console have?

A

4GB

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26
Q

How much RAM would a typical laptop have?

A

8GB

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27
Q

How much RAM would a typical workstation have?

A

16GB or more

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28
Q

True/False: RAM is often removable

A

True

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29
Q

True/False: If you buy a computer with 8GB of RAM, you cannot add more

A

False, you can upgrade many computers by adding more RAM

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30
Q

Why are the startup instructions stored in the ROM?

A

Because they need to be stored and saved even after the power is turned off - so the computer can start up again when powered on.

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31
Q

Where is virtual memory located?

A

In the hard disc drive or solid state drive

32
Q

What is the virtual memory used for?

A

Temporary RAM when the actual RAM is full. It acts like an overflow for RAM

33
Q

Where are program instructions and data constantly moving between?

A

The CPU and the RAM

34
Q

If many programs are running, RAM may become ____

A

full

35
Q

What does the OS do if there is no free RAM?

A

Swap some of the data stored in RAM to the virtual memory on the hard disc and swap in the requested data into the free area of the RAM

36
Q

What data is usually swapped out of RAM when?

A

The least recently used data

37
Q

What happens if data that has been swapped out from RAM to virtual memory is needed again?

A

It is swapped back in from virtual memory at the expense of other data

38
Q

The more RAM a computer has, the ____ virtual memory will be needed

A

less

39
Q

Adding more RAM will significantly improve/worsen the performance of a computer

A

improve

40
Q

What are the disadvantages of virtual memory?

A

The read/write speed is much slower than RAM, therefore there will be a significant performance drop if the system has to rely too heavily on virtual memory. Also, disc thrashing can occur

41
Q

What is disc thrashing?

A

Programs running more slowly as a result of the OS constantly swapping between RAM and the hard disc drive

42
Q

What are the three main types of storage device?

A

Magnetic discs, optical discs and solid-state (flash) memory

43
Q

What are RAM and ROM?

A

Two types of computer memory

44
Q

What does RAM stand for?

A

Random Access Memory

45
Q

What does RAM do?

A

Stores data and instructions when an application is running

46
Q

True/False: RAM can only be read from, not written to

A

False, RAM can be read from and written to

47
Q

True/False: RAM is volatile

A

True

48
Q

RAM is volatile… what does this mean?

A

If you turn off the power, data in RAM is lost

49
Q

True/False: RAM is often removable

A

True

50
Q

True/False: You can upgrade many computers by adding more RAM

A

True

51
Q

What does ROM stand for?

A

Read Only Memory

52
Q

What does ROM do?

A

Stores instructions that don’t need to be changed during normal use

53
Q

True/False: Data can only be read from ROM

A

True

54
Q

True/False: ROM is volatile

A

False, ROM is non-volatile

55
Q

ROM is non-volatile… what does this mean?

A

It retains data even if the power is turned off

56
Q

In a PC, the sets of instructions needed for the computer to start up are stored in ___

A

ROM

57
Q

Why are the sets of instructions needed for the computer to start up stored in the ROM?

A

These instructions need to be stored and saved even after the power is turned off

58
Q

True/False: Some applications (such as photo or video editing) require greater amounts of RAM

A

True

59
Q

How much RAM does the typical smartphone have?

A

2GB

60
Q

How much RAM does the typical games console have?

A

4GB

61
Q

How much RAM does the typical laptop have?

A

8GB

62
Q

How much RAM does the typical workstation have?

A

16GB

63
Q

Where is virtual memory located?

A

In the hard disc drive or solid state drive

64
Q

What is virtual memory used as?

A

Temporary RAM when the actual RAM is full

65
Q

True/False: Program instructions and data are constantly moving between the CPU and the RAM

A

True

66
Q

RAM may become ____ if many programs are running

A

full

67
Q

What happens to data if there is no free RAM?

A

The operating system will swap out some of the data to the virtual memory

68
Q

If the RAM is full, where is data swapped to?

A

Virtual memory

69
Q

When data is swapped to virtual memory, where is the requested data swapped to?

A

The free area of the RAM

70
Q

Usually the most/least recently used stored data is swapped out into virtual memory

A

least

71
Q

What happens if data is swapped out to virtual memory and is needed again?

A

It is swapped back in at the expense of other data

72
Q

The more RAM a computer has, the ____ virtual memory will be needed

A

less

73
Q

What effect does adding more RAM have to the performance of a computer?

A

It will significantly improve it

74
Q

The read/write speed of virtual emmory is much slower/faster than RAM

A

slower

75
Q

Why will there be a significant performance drop if the system has to rely too heavily on virtual memory?

A

It is much slower than RAM

76
Q

If the OS is constantly swapping between RAM and the hard disc drive, what happens to the speed of programs?

A

Disc thrashing - they will run more slowly

77
Q

What is disc thrashing?

A

When the OS is constantly swapping between RAM and the hard disc drive, making programs run more slowly

GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 (OCR) (9 decks)

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