2.1.2 Cache and RAM

Question 1

Primary Memory

Answer 1

Storage Locations that are directly accessible by processor.
Quick read speeds, but lower capacity.

Question 2

RAM

Answer 2

RAM holds all of the data and instructions that are currently being processed.

Question 3

Why does a computer use RAM?

Answer 3

Because RAM has quicker read and write speeds than secondary storage devices.

Question 4

How does increased access speed of RAM affect the execution of instructions?

Answer 4

It speeds up the general speed of the computer and the speed of instructions being completed.

Question 5

How does a program find memory in RAM?

Answer 5

The memory in the RAM is split up into locations with a unique memory address. The processor finds the data using the memory addresses.

Question 6

Why is RAM called random access?

Answer 6

any location can be accessed at random with no impact on speed.

Question 7

RAM is

Answer 7

volatile, read and written

Question 8

What determines the size of RAM?

Answer 8

The maximum RAM capacity is determined by the width of the address bus. The larger the RAM the more efficient the computer. Less space will mean more transfers from secondary storage to RAM and will make everything slower.

Question 9

ROM

Answer 9

ROM is used to store the boot sequence (BIOS) and is smaller than RAM.

Question 10

ROM is

Answer 10

non volatile, and can only be read because it is written by the manufacturer.

Question 11

BIOS

Answer 11

A limited sequence of instructions that checks that the core components of the computer system (RAM, input/output, secondary storage) are connected and working correctly.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the BIOS?

Answer 12

It loads the essential parts of the main operating system from secondary storage into RAM.

Question 13

What does the OS manage with the BIOS?

Answer 13

Then the OS will oversee the operation of the computer, managing memory, storage and requests for input/output.

Question 14

Which component does BIOS check first and why?

Answer 14

The screen so errors can be communicated to the user.

Question 15

Virtual Memory

Answer 15

Virtual Memory is a way a computer system can compensate for shortage of RAM.

Question 16

Why does a computer need virtual memory?

Answer 16

With little main memory applications will compete for space on RAM which will slowdown performance = lag. Possibly freeze or crash.

Question 17

Where is virtual memory?

Answer 17

A small part of Secondary Storage.

Question 18

What is the bigger between RAM and ROM

Answer 18

RAM

Question 19

What are the 3 storage technologies?

Answer 19

Solid State, Magnetic, Optical

Question 20

Solid State

Answer 20

is a storage device with no moving parts and is a hardware device.

Question 21

Magnetic

Answer 21

when data is being stored through a magnetic medium. It consists of disks containing magnetic material. The data is written onto these disks according to the magnetism to be read later.

Question 22

Optical

Answer 22

Optical uses low power laser beams to read and write binary data into a disk in tiny patterns.

Question 23

Cache

Answer 23

A type of small, high speed memory inside the CPU used to hold frequently used data.

Question 24

What is the purpose of Cache?

Answer 24

This allows the CPU to access data without going through the slower RAM.

Question 25

What type of storage is RAM?

Answer 25

Primary
It is a special kind of RAM = so is also volatile.

Question 26

What are the 3 forms of Cache?

Answer 26

1,2, 3

Question 27

Which is fastest form of Cache?

Answer 27

1