Chapter 4 - RAM Flashcards
The main purpose of RAM is to
a. store programs when not in use
b. load programs when asked for from Windows
a. store programs when not in use
DRAM is the acronym for _____________
dynamic random access memory
DRAM functions like a ____________, with numbered rows containing cells with each holding a one or zero.
spreadsheet
Each cell uses ____________ and __________ that can hold a single bit.
microscopic capacitors and transistors
The DRAM makers make chips that can hold
a. only a finite number of bits less than 4Mb
b. various numbers of bits determined by the manufacturer
b. various numbers of bits determined by the manufacturer
Each chip has a limit on the number of lines of code it can contain, as well as a limit on the width of the lines it can handle. It is determined by the manufacturer.
True or false
True
Techs describe chips by ____ .
bits
DRAM that has 1,048,576 rows and 8 columns wou be described as :
a. 1mbyte x 8
b. 1M x 8
c. a spreadsheet
b. 1M x 8
DRAM has been the standard RAM used in all computers since the 1970s for three reasons. What are they?
low cost, high speed, and capability to hold large amounts of data in a small package.
The original 8088 processor had an 8-bit frontside bus. This required the use of RAM that could store data in ________ chunks.
8-bit, or one byte
How did the older systems turn the 1 bit wide DRAM into 8-bit wide memory?
take eight 1-bit-wide chips and use the MCC to organize them electronically to be eight wide.
In the 8088 some complex commands required 2 bytes of data. How did the 8088 handle this requirement and what was the disadvantage.
the 8088 took 1 byte at a time, requiring the MCC to go to the RAM twice to get the 16 bit command. The disadvantage was it took twice as long.
What was the difference between the 8088 and the 8086?
8086 was identical except for a 16 bit frontside bus.
Why did Intel stay with the 8088 even with its disadvantage.
No one had created an affordable MCC or RAM that handled two bytes at a time. Cost was prohibitive.
DRAM manufacturers created wider DRAM chips that were identified as:
a. x4
b. x8
c. x16
d. all the above, and higher
e. none of the above
d. all the above, and higher (as high as x128)
Multiple DRAM put on a small circuit board called a stick or module is called a _____________.
SIMM, or single inline memory module
A motherboard can accept any SIMM on the market. True or False.
False, must use the motherboard documentation to find the corrrect SIMM for each motherboard.
Most modern CPUs have at least a ____ bit frontside bus which requires a MCC that can handle ____ bits of data at a time.
64, 64
Modern DRAM generally come in ___ and ___ data form factor with a varying number of chips.
a. 8, 16
b. 8, 32
c. 32, 64
d. 64, 128
c. 32, 64 Techs describe these memory modules by their width, x32 or x64. When discussing the memory, you need to know if the person is talking DRAM width or the module width.
Define SDRAM.
synchronous dynamic random access memory
Why is SDRAM synchronous?
it is tied to the system clock, which reduces wasted time.
SDRAM is on a stick called a DIMM (dual inline memory module, which has a different number of pins depending on what computer it is used. Where are the following pin sizes used :
a. 168 pins
b. 68 pins
c. 144 pin micro DIMM
d. 172 pin micro DIMM
e. 72 pin, 144 pin and 200 pin small outline DIMM (SO-DIMM)
a. desktop
b. laptop
c. laptop
d. laptop
e. laptop
Of the DIMMs named in question 22, all are 64 bit wide data to match the 64 bit frontside bus except which one? What is the width of this DIMM?
72 pin, 32 bit SO-DIMM
All modern PCs can use SDRAM. True or false
False. the motherboard must be designed to use SDRAM.
A SDRAM DIMM installed in a slot can handle the 64 bit bus, and is referred to as a _________.
bank.
Using 72 pin SODIMM would require two sticks to make a bank because the width of the SODIMM is ___bits.
32
SDRAM is tied to the system clock, so its clock speed matched the:
a. MCC speed
b. frontside bus speed.
c. none of the above
b. frontside bus speed.
Five speeds were commonly used on the early SDRAM systems. The were:
a. 10, 100, 133, 150, 200 MHz
b. 75, 90, 100, 133, 150 MHZ
c. 66, 75, 83, 100, 133 MHz
c. 66, 75, 83, 100, 133 MHz
RAM speed has to match or exceed the system speed to keep the computer stable. True or False
True
SDRAM speeds were prefixed by PC, i.e. PC66. If a frontside bus has a speed of 100MHz, you will have to have a RAM speed of:
a. PC75
b. PC100
c. PC100 or PC133
d. PC100 or PC150
c. PC100 or PC133
