Paper 1 : Memory and Storage Flashcards
What is main memory?
Any memory that is directly connected to the CPU. However, it usually refers to the RAM.
What are the three types of main memory?
RAM, ROM and Cache.
What is volatile memory?
Memory that loses all of it’s data when it loses power.
What is non-volatile memory?
Memory that retains all if it’s data even if it loses power.
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
What does the RAM do?
It stores currently open programs and OS data from secondary storage so that the CPU can access it directly.
Is RAM volatile or non-volatile?
Volatile.
What does ROM stand for?
Read Only Memory
What does the ROM do?
It is memory that cannot be changed after being programmed for the first time. It contains the instructions the computer needs to start. This is known as the bootstrap or BIOS.
Is Rom volatile or non-volatile?
Non-volatile.
What does the Cache do?
The cache stores frequently used data. It is faster than RAM but lower in storage. It is checked during the ‘fetch’ stage.
Where is the Cache physically located in a computer?
The Cache is found in between the CPU processor and the RAM. But it is physically closer to the actual CPU.
Where else might you find a cache (excluding a CPU)
You could find it in secondary storage devices or your browser.
Is the cache volatile or non-volatile?
Volatile.
What is secondary storage?
Storage that is not directly connected to the CPU.
Fill in the blank: Secondary storage is always ________
Secondary storage is always non-volatile.
What are 6 attributes to remember when comparing secondary storage devices?
Speed, cost, durability, portability, reliability and capacity.
What are the 4 types of secondary storge?
Optical, Magnetic, Solid-state and Cloud.
What are some examples of optical storage?
CD, DVD or Blue-Ray.
What are some advantages to optical storage?
Portable, cheap, quite reliable, quite durable,
What are some disadvantages to optical storage?
Can be damaged easily and not very high capacity.
How does optical storage work?
It uses a laser beam to read bumps off a disk. Each bump represents a 1 or 0 in binary.
What are some examples of magnetic storage?
Hard drives, casette tapes.
What are some advantages to magnetic storage?
High capacity, cheap, reliable.
What are some disadvantages to magnetic storage?
Not very durable, not very portable. Can also generate heat and noise.
How does magnetic storage work?
There is a disk with parts of it being magnetised (a 1 in binary) or demagnetised (a 0 in binary). They use electro-magnets.
What are some examples of solid-state storage?
Solid-state drive, SD card, Flash-drive / USB pen drive.
What are some advantages of solid-state storage?
Fast, reliable, durable, very portable. Also silent and don’t defragging.
What are some disadvantages to solid-state storage?
Quite expensive, can’t store as much.
How does solid-state storage work?
It has no moving parts so it is non mechanical. It uses circuits and logic gates instead.
How does cloud storage differ from the other 3 types.
It runs through the internet instead.
What do the cloud storage servers usually run on.
Magnetic and solid state drives.
What are some advantages of cloud storage?
Extremely portable, can be accessed anywhere, durable, mostly depends on service provided though.
What are some disadvantages of cloud storage?
Might be expensive for smaller users, the service may not be reliable.
