Primary storage

Question 1

What does primary storage do?

Answer 1

Temporarily holds applications and data currently in use.

Question 2

Types of primary storage?(5)

Answer 2

Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Flash memory
Cache memory
Virtual memory

Question 3

What is RAM used for
What is ROM used for ?

Answer 3

RAM-Used to store the currently used data and instructions
ROM-Used to store instructions that don’t need to be changed in normal use

Question 4

Is RAM volatile?

Answer 4

Volatile - data & instructions are lost when turned off

Question 5

What can data in RAM do? (Read/written)

Answer 5

Data can be read from and written to

Question 6

RAM memory locations?

Answer 6

Consists of uniquely identifiable memory locations.

Question 7

Can it be upgraded?

Answer 7

It can be upgraded

Question 8

Is ROM volatile?

Answer 8

Non-volatile - data & instructions are not lost when turned off.

Question 9

What can data do in ROM? (Read/Written)

Answer 9

Data can only be read from.

Question 10

Can memory locations in ROM be changed?

Answer 10

Memory locations cannot be changed

Question 11

What is ROM used for?

Answer 11

Used for the permanent storage of data and instructions, like the boot strap instructions

Question 12

Where is the virtual memory and what is its purpose?

Answer 12

Virtual memory is an area of the hard disk drive or solid state drive used as temporary RAM when the actual RAM is full.

Question 13

What happens to the least recently used stored data in virt mem?

Answer 13

Usually the least recently used stored data is swapped out, it is swapped back in at the expense of other data

Question 14

What happens to then need for virtual memory if there is more RAM?

Answer 14

The more RAM a computer has, the less virtual memory is needed.

Question 15

What happens to the performance of a computer if RAM increases?

Answer 15

Adding more RAM will significantly improve the performance of a computer

Question 16

Is virtual memory slower or faster than RAM and why?

Answer 16

Much slower than actual RAM due to the read/write speeds of the hard disc.

Question 17

What happens if the OS continually swaps between RAM and hard drive?

Answer 17

If the OS continually swaps between RAM and the hard drive, programs will run more slowly, known as disc thrashing

Question 18

What is Cache memory used for?

Answer 18

Used for the temporary storage of frequently accessed data and instructions.

Question 19

Is Cache memory volatile?

Answer 19

Volatile - data & instructions are lost when turned off

Question 20

What can data do on cache memory? (Read/written)

Answer 20

Data can be read from and written to.

Question 21

Is it more expensive or cheaper than RAM?

Answer 21

Expensive but quicker than RAM.

Question 22

What is flash memory used for?

Answer 22

Used for the permanent storage of data, similar to ROM but can be read to.

Question 23

Is flash memory volatile?

Answer 23

Non-volatile - data & instructions are not lost when turned off.

Question 24

What can data do on flash memory? (Read/Written)

Answer 24

Data can only be read from and written to.

Question 25

What is flash memory based on?

Answer 25

Based on NAND & NOR logic gates.

Question 26

Which parts of primary storage is permanent? (2)

Answer 26

ROM and flash memory.

Question 27

Which parts of primary storage is volatile?(2)

Answer 27

Cache memory and RAM.

Question 28

Which parts of primary storage can be changed?(3)

Answer 28

Cache memory, RAM, flash memory

Question 29

What is the fastest and slowest

Answer 29

Fastest-Cache memory
ROM
RAM
Slowest-Flash memory