Memory types Flashcards
What is memory
Data and programs need to be stored in a computer system. The technology used to do this is called memory. Memory can be divided into two types: main memory and secondary storage
What is main memory and how is it different to secondary storage
Main memory is any memory that is directly accessed by the CPU
Give two examples of main memory and secondary storage
RAM and ROM. Registers and internal cache are not considered main memory as they reside within the CPU. Hard disks and flash memory are examples of secondary storage.
What is volatile memory?
Volatile memory is cleared whenever the supply of power is lost. In contrast, non-volatile memory will continue to hold anything it was storing even if it is not receiving any power.
Give an example of volatile memory
RAM, CPU registers and the cache.
What is RAM?
RAM is used as main memory. It acts as a temporary store for program instructions and data. It can only store things temporarily because it is volatile. It is useful as a temporary store because any data or instructions in RAM can be accessed in any order
Give three properties of RAM
RAM is used as main memory. It is accessed directly by the CPU, RAM is volatile memory. If it loses power, the data it holds is lost. RAM holds billions of storage locations, each with its own memory address. These can be accessed in any order.
What are DRAM and SRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) is what you will find in a RAM module. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) is commonly used for the cache. This is because it is much faster to access than DRAM.
What is the difference between DRAM and SRAM
DRAM is volatile, less expensive, slower than SRAM and requires a refresh signal to keep data intact. SRAM is volatile, stored in the cache, more expensive but faster than DRAM and does not require a refresh signal
How much RAM does the average PC have
RAM is sized in gigabytes. The average computer has 8GB of RAM
In which situations would you need a specific amount of RAM
Windows 10 requires 2GB, basic laptops usually have 4GB for emails and making word documents, gaming required 8GB or above and video processing would require around 32GB
What is ROM
ROM is Read Only which means that it cannot be changed, overwritten or removed, whereas RAM is read/write memory which means that the contents can be altered.
What are the differences between RAM and ROM
You can only read from ROM, whereas you can read and write from RAM, ROM is non-volatile, ROM chips are usually located on the motherboard and are non-removable. It usually holds the BIOPS and setup routine and there are usually a few MB of ROM on your PC
