Chapter 4 - RAM

Question 1

The main purpose of RAM is to

a. store programs when not in use
b. load programs when asked for from Windows

Answer 1

a. store programs when not in use

Question 2

DRAM is the acronym for _____________

Answer 2

dynamic random access memory

Question 3

DRAM functions like a ____________, with numbered rows containing cells with each holding a one or zero.

Answer 3

spreadsheet

Question 4

Each cell uses ____________ and __________ that can hold a single bit.

Answer 4

microscopic capacitors and transistors

Question 5

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

Answer 5

b. various numbers of bits determined by the manufacturer

Question 6

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

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Techs describe chips by ____ .

Answer 7

bits

Question 8

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

Answer 8

b. 1M x 8

Question 9

DRAM has been the standard RAM used in all computers since the 1970s for three reasons. What are they?

Answer 9

low cost, high speed, and capability to hold large amounts of data in a small package.

Question 10

The original 8088 processor had an 8-bit frontside bus. This required the use of RAM that could store data in ________ chunks.

Answer 10

8-bit, or one byte

Question 11

How did the older systems turn the 1 bit wide DRAM into 8-bit wide memory?

Answer 11

take eight 1-bit-wide chips and use the MCC to organize them electronically to be eight wide.

Question 12

In the 8088 some complex commands required 2 bytes of data. How did the 8088 handle this requirement and what was the disadvantage.

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What was the difference between the 8088 and the 8086?

Answer 13

8086 was identical except for a 16 bit frontside bus.

Question 14

Why did Intel stay with the 8088 even with its disadvantage.

Answer 14

No one had created an affordable MCC or RAM that handled two bytes at a time. Cost was prohibitive.

Question 15

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

Answer 15

d. all the above, and higher (as high as x128)

Question 16

Multiple DRAM put on a small circuit board called a stick or module is called a _____________.

Answer 16

SIMM, or single inline memory module

Question 17

A motherboard can accept any SIMM on the market. True or False.

Answer 17

False, must use the motherboard documentation to find the corrrect SIMM for each motherboard.

Question 18

Most modern CPUs have at least a ____ bit frontside bus which requires a MCC that can handle ____ bits of data at a time.

Answer 18

64, 64

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Define SDRAM.

Answer 20

synchronous dynamic random access memory

Question 21

Why is SDRAM synchronous?

Answer 21

it is tied to the system clock, which reduces wasted time.

Question 22

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)

Answer 22

a. desktop
b. laptop
c. laptop
d. laptop
e. laptop

Question 23

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?

Answer 23

72 pin, 32 bit SO-DIMM

Question 24

All modern PCs can use SDRAM. True or false

Answer 24

False. the motherboard must be designed to use SDRAM.

Question 25

A SDRAM DIMM installed in a slot can handle the 64 bit bus, and is referred to as a _________.

Answer 25

bank.

Question 26

Using 72 pin SODIMM would require two sticks to make a bank because the width of the SODIMM is ___bits.

Answer 26

32

Question 27

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

Answer 27

b. frontside bus speed.

Question 28

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

Answer 28

c. 66, 75, 83, 100, 133 MHz

Question 29

RAM speed has to match or exceed the system speed to keep the computer stable. True or False

Answer 29

True

Question 30

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

Answer 30

c. PC100 or PC133