Computing - Memory Flashcards
What are the 2 main types of primary memory?
RAM (Random Access Memory)
ROM (Read Only Memory)
What does RAM do?
Stores programs and data that the computer is currently working on
What does volatile mean?
If you turn off the power all of the data will be lost
RAM is volatile
How is the boot program stored and why?
ROM
Not volatile
Give the 3 steps that the boot program performs?
Performs some basic checks
Finds the operating system
Hands over control to the operating system
What is flash memory?
ROM that can be changed by a process called flashing
What is virtual memory?
Part of hard drive that is used as an extension to RAM
Why does using virtual memory slow down a computer?
The data has to travel all the way from the hard drive to the CPU
What are the 2 types of RAM?
Dynamic RAM
Static RAM
What is dynamic RAM?
A type of RAM that only holds data for a few seconds and needs to be constantly refreshed
What is static RAM?
A type of RAM that does not need to be constantly refreshed like dynamic RAM but is much more expensive
What is cache memory?
A data store right next to the CPU to provide very fast access to data
What is primary memory?
Memory that only the CPU can access
