A451: Hardware - Memory

Question 1

What is the Cache?

Answer 1

-This is the holding area for data from the RAM. It ensures the CPU is always busy with data. The large the cache size means more data can be held and it’s less likely that any cycles are wasted.

Question 2

What is ROM?

Answer 2

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again.

Question 3

What is RAM?

Answer 3

-RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored. Here are some examples of what’s stored in RAM, the operating system, applications, and the graphical user interface. If a computer loses power, all data stored in its RAM is lost.

Question 4

What is RAM normally measured in?

Answer 4

-Gb.

Question 5

What is ROM normally measured in?

Answer 5

-Kb.

Question 6

What in the difference between RAM and ROM?

Answer 6

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again. RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored, because they are being used by the CPU. RAM is also volatile storage while ROM is not.

Question 7

How does the amount of RAM effect the speed of the computer?

Answer 7

-The more RAM available the more programs, applications and data the computer can store, that is at easy access to the CPU. This makes the computer faster and there is less need for virtual memory.

Question 8

Why do we need ROM?

Answer 8

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again.

Question 9

What is the purpose of RAM?

Answer 9

-RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored. Here are some examples of what’s stored in RAM the operating system, applications, The GUI. If a computer loses power, all data stored in its RAM is lost.

Question 10

What is virtual memory?

Answer 10

-Because of the size of the Ram it is not always possible to store all the running programs in the RAM at once and the computer will start running low of memory and begin to slow down. Virtual memory then comes in and stores the data that the RAM isn’t actively using on the hard drive to free up the RAM. When the CPU needs the data is is taken out of virtual memory on the hard drive and is put back on to the RAM.

Question 11

what is cache memory?

Answer 11

-This is the holding area for data from the RAM. It ensures the CPU is always busy with data. A larger cache size means more data can be held and it’s less likely that any cycles are wasted.

Question 12

What is Flash memory?

Answer 12

-Flash Memory is often referred to as solid-state storage, which means that there are no moving parts. It’s similar to RAM but is non-volatile which means when the power is cut off, it still remembers the content). Flash memory is used in USB memory sticks and memory cards for digital cameras and some games consoles.

Question 13

What type of storage is RAM?

Answer 13

• RAM is volatile storage.

Question 14

What is volatile storage?

Answer 14

• This is storage that is wiped when the power is disconnected.

Question 15

What type of storage is read only memory?

Answer 15

• This is nonvolatile storage so that the memory is retained when the power switched off.

Question 16

Define Main memory/RAM?

Answer 16

• Also known as Immediate Access Store and Primary Memory
• The Memory is the CPU that is used to temporarily store programs while they are running and data used by these programs. The processor fetches instructions form main memory. Memory is made up of many addressable locations.

Question 17

Define Memory?

Answer 17

stores program operations and data while a program is being executed. There are several types of memory, including: registers, cache, RAM and virtual memory.

Question 18

What is the CPU control Unit?

Answer 18

The CPU control unit automatically checks cache for instructions before requesting data from RAM. This saves fetching the instructions and data repeatedly from RAM – a relatively slow process which might otherwise keep the CPU waiting. Transfers to and from cache take less time than transfers to and from RAM.

Question 19

What is Cache L1?

Answer 19

L1 is usually part of the CPU chip itself and is both the smallest and the fastest to access. Its size is often restricted to between 8 KB and 64 KB.

Question 20

What is L2 & L3 Cache?

Answer 20

L2 and L3 caches are bigger than L1. They are extra caches built between the CPU and the RAM. Sometimes L2 is built into the CPU with L1. L2 and L3 caches take slightly longer to access than L1. The more L2 and L3 memory available, the faster a computer can run.

Question 21

How does Virtual Memory Swap data round?

Answer 21

Swapping (also called paging) is the process the OS uses to move data between RAM and virtual memory. The OS moves data from processes that are not immediately needed out of the RAM and stores them in virtual memory. It copies the data back into RAM when the process is needed again.