Primary and Secondary Storage Flashcards
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory, main memory in a computer
RAM is volatile and stores data while it is being used.
What is the primary characteristic of RAM?
It can be read and written, and is volatile
Data is lost when power is turned off.
What happens when a computer is booted up regarding RAM?
The OS, software, and open files are copied from secondary storage to RAM
This allows the CPU to access them quickly.
How does RAM compare in speed to CPU cache and secondary storage?
Slower than CPU cache but faster than secondary storage
What is ROM?
Read Only Memory, which is non-volatile
Built into the motherboard and contains boot instructions.
What is the function of ROM when a PC is powered on?
The CPU reads instructions from ROM to copy the OS to RAM
Define volatile memory.
Temporary memory that requires power to retain its data
Examples include RAM, CPU registers, and cache.
Define non-volatile memory.
Permanent memory that keeps its content without power
Examples include ROM and secondary storage.
What is virtual memory?
A method where sections of the hard disk are used for the CPU to store data when RAM is full
Is virtual memory volatile or non-volatile?
Volatile
Data is lost when the computer is turned off.
What process is referred to as disk thrashing?
The slow and noisy process of moving data between RAM and virtual memory
How can virtual memory compensate for a lack of RAM?
By using sections of the hard disk as temporary storage for the CPU
Why would it be beneficial to get more RAM instead of relying on virtual memory?
More RAM allows for faster data access and reduces the need for disk thrashing
Give two examples of data that can be stored in RAM.
- Open applications
- Active documents
What is the purpose of secondary storage?
To provide long-term storage of data, files, software, and the OS
What would happen without secondary storage?
Software would need to be reinstalled each time, and files could not be saved
List the types of secondary storage.
- Optical
- Magnetic
- Solid State
What are the positive aspects of optical storage?
- Cheap
- Lightweight
- Portable
What are the negatives of optical storage?
- Slow access time
- Prone to scratches
What are the positives of magnetic storage?
- Cheap
- Large capacity
- Reliable
What are the negatives of magnetic storage?
- Slow access time
- Fragile
What are the positives of solid state storage?
- Durable
- Fast access time
- No noise
- Medium capacity
- Low power
What are the negatives of solid state storage?
- Limited number of read/write cycles
- Expensive compared to others
Define data capacity terms: Bit, Nibble, Byte.
- Bit - 1 bit
- Nibble - 4 bits
- Byte - 8 bits
What is a Kilobyte in terms of bytes?
1000 bytes
How many bits are in a Megabyte?
8 million bits
How many bytes are in a Gigabyte?
1 billion bytes
What is the formula for calculating the size of an image file?
Colour depth * image height (px) * image width (px)
What is the formula for calculating the size of a sound file?
Sample rate * duration * bit depth
