1.3 Memory Flashcards
What is volatile memory
Temporary memory
It requires power to retain its data
What is non volatile memory
Permanent memory
Keeps content even when it has no power
What does RAM stand for
Random
Access
Memory
What is RAM and how is it used
Holds data and instructions that are currently in use by the processor
Located in motherboard
Directly accessible by the processor
All data/instructions are lost once power is turned off (volatile)
Virtual memory is..
Secondary storage used as extra RAM
What type of data is moved to virtual memory
Data that hasn’t be used recently
When is virtual memory needed
If too many applications are open at once
How do the CPU and virtual memory work together
If CPU needs to read data stored in VM, it must move the the data back to RAM
Data transfer rates are much slower on secondary storage than RAM
What does ROM stand for
Read
Only
Memory
ROM tells….
Tells the CPU how to boot up
What is ROM what is it’s use
Instructions are permanently etched onto a ROM chip
The instructions contained tell a computer how to properly boot up. Instructions are called BIOS
When computer powered on, CPU reads the instructions from ROM - CPU to preform self checks and set up computer
What does BIOS stand for
Basic
Input
Output
System
What type of memory do ROM chips use and why
Flash memory as it is non-volatile memory that stores data an electrical circuits by trapping electrons
Data is not permanently written to this type of memory
RAM
This memory holds the instructions for booting up the computer
ROM
