Flashcards - Computer Systems Week 8 - Memory Overview
What are the two main components that run a program in a computer?
Program code and data
What does the Fetch/Execute cycle involve?
Fetching from memory, processing by the CPU, and storing results back in memory
What is the main function of registers in a computer system?
To assist the CPU in the fetch and execute cycle
What is used in memory to represent data at the most basic level?
Bits (0s and 1s)
What is latency in the context of computer memory?
The time it takes to retrieve data from memory
Name the two types of RAM discussed in the material.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM)
What type of memory is typically faster: Cache or RAM?
Cache is faster than RAM
What is the maximum number of locations that can be accessed with a 10-line address bus?
1,024 (1K) locations
What is a cache hit?
When the requested data can be found in the cache
What happens during a cache miss?
The least recently used blocks are overwritten or written back to memory
Which level of cache is the fastest?
Level 1 cache
What is the difference between DRAM and SRAM concerning refreshing?
DRAM requires refreshing, whereas SRAM does not
What is the primary purpose of RAM in a computer system?
To store programs, data, and addresses during operation
Identify a key characteristic of RAM.
RAM is volatile storage, meaning it relies on power
Which type of memory is used in a computer’s cache?
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
What does the term ‘memory hierarchy’ refer to?
The classification and organization of different memory types based on speed and cost
What is the trade-off for using fast RAM compared to slower memory types?
Fast RAM is more expensive than slower memory
What is a Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM)?
A type of RAM used in PCs
What is the advantage of a cache in terms of data access speed?
It stores data closer to the CPU, leading to faster access times
How do modern systems maintain performance in terms of cache usage?
They have a high cache hit rate, meaning many requests are served from cache
What is the price and performance balance important in computer systems?
To ensure that the system provides adequate performance without excessive costs
What role does a cache play in executing programs efficiently?
It stores frequently accessed data to reduce access time and latency
What is the typical speed comparison between cache memory and secondary memory?
Cache is much faster than secondary memory
What kind of power consumption difference exists between DRAM and SRAM?
DRAM consumes more power than SRAM
