COMPUTER MEMORY INTRODUCTION The computer’s memory stores data, instructions required during the processing of data, and output results. Storage may be required for a limited period of time, instantly, or, for an extended period of time. 1. Different types of memories, each having its own unique features, are available for use in a computer. The cache memory, registers, and RAM are fast memories and store the data and instructions temporarily duy processing of data and instructions. 2. The secondary memory like magnetic disks and optical disks has large storage capacities and store the data and instructions permanently, but aré slow memory devices, 2 Coad Ru ! | » snaw Pom woo Le > Lp penbrive a nom osevose |, ovo Memon 2 fe Main memory Disk cache Magnetic disk Optical disk Faster r Speed CapacityInternal Memory (Primai The key features of internal memory are: 1. Limited storage capacity. 2. Temporary storage. 3. Fast access. 4, High cost. External Memory (Seconda The key features of external memory storage devices are: 1. Very high storage capacity. 2. Permanent storage (non-volatile), unless erased by user. 3. Relatively slower access. 4, Stores data and instructions that are not currently being used by CPU but may be required later for processing. 5. Cheapest among all memory. zw PRIMARY MEMORY (Main Memory) Primary memory is the main memory of computer. It is a chip mounted on the motherboard of computer. Primary memory is categorized into two main types: |. Random access memory (RAM) Il. Read only memory (ROM) Characteristic of Primary Main Memory * These are semiconductor memories, © It is known as main memory. * Usually volatile memory. * Data is lost in case power is switched of. * It is working memory of the computer. * Faster than secondary memories. * A computer cannot run without primary memory. RAM (Random Access Memory) ~ 1. The Word “RAM” stands for,“random access memory’ or may also refer to @hortsterm memory. . It’s called “random” because you can read store data randomly at any time and from any physical location. . Itis a temporal storage memory. . RAM is volatile that only retains all the data as long as the computer powered. It is the fastest type of memory. . RAM stores the currently processed data from the CPU and se to the graphics unit.There are generally two broad subcategories of RAM: ne an (yr [peewee] seat I eat | YS Fu Form StaticRendomAcces Memory OyamicRandom Acces Memon J ROM (Read Only Memory} . ROM is the l@ngsternnlinteFlalliiennony 2. ROM is “NORBMOLAtIGIVIEHIOnys that retains data without the flow of electricity. ROM is an essential chip with permanently written data or programs. It is similar to the RAM that is accessed by the CPU. ROM comes with pre-written by the computer manufacturer to hold the instructions for SOOURESUpIRHEIeOMpULen Poor There is generally three broad type of ROM: 1. PROM 2. EPROM 3. EEPROM Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) : This form of ROM i: . The user or manufacturer can write data/program on it by using special devices. However, once the program or data is written in PROM chip, it cannot be changed. If there is an error in writing instructions or data in PROM, the error cannot be erased. p chip becomes unusable.Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM This memory type retains its contents until it exposed to intensegllitaviolet light that clears its contents, making it possible to reprogram the memory. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM | EEPROM can be burned (programmed) and erased by first electrical waves in a millisecond. A single byte of a data or the entire contents of device can be erased. To write or erase this memory type, you need a device called a PROM burner. Urravoiet tant ive! Rite iygssisnege. Fig. 3.72 EPROM ame Secondary Memory 1. The size of the main memory is @kyssmalpif large data need to be stored in it. Further, the main memory is volatile in nature i.e. the contents are lost when power supply is stopped. To overcome these another memory is used in a computer system called secondary memory or the auxiliary memory. This is large as well as nonvolatile in nature. This type of memory is also known as external memory or ponsyolatilé It is slower than main memory. These are used for storing Data/Information permanently. WRwWN ics of Secondary Memo: . These are magnetic and optical memories. . itis known as GaGkupmemonys . It is non-volatile memory. . Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off. . It is used for storage of the data in the computer. . Computer may run without secondary memory. . Slower than primary memories.Main secondary memory are: 1. Magnetic Disk 2. Floppy Disk 3. Hard Disk 4. Optical Disks Magnetic Disk The Magnetic Disk is Flat, circular @ISE@B with metallic coating that is rotated beneath read/write heads. It is a Random access device; read/write head can be moved to any location on the platter Floppy Disk These are small removable disks that are plastic coated with magnetic recording material. Floppy disks are typically @Q5tiMize (diameter) and can hold @ggMIBIGRWAtE This portable storage device is a rewritable media and can be reused a number of times. Floppy disks are commonly used to move files between different computers. The main disadvantage of floppy disks is that they can be damaged easily and, therefore, are not very reliable. The following figure shows an example of the floppy disk o,Hard Disk Another form of auxiliary storage is a hard disk. A hard disk consists of one or more rigid metal plates coated with a metal oxide material that allows data to be magnetically recorded on the surface of the platters. Storage capacities of hard disks for personal computers range from 10 GB to 120 GB (one billion bytes are called a gigabyte). Optical Disks Optical Mass Storage Devices Store bit values as variations in light reflection. They have higher area density & longer data life than magnetic storage. They are also Standardized and relatively inexpensive. Their Uses: read-only storage with low performance requirements, applications with high capacity requirements & where portability in a standardized format is needed. Types of Optical Disk 1. CD-ROM (read only) 2. CD-R: (record) to a CD 3. CD-RW: can write and erase CD to reuse it (re-writable) 4, DVD (Digital Video Disk) r Flash Memory Flash memory is the most widely used data storage technology in consumer devices today. It stores our photos, our videos, our music, our documents and so much more. In fact, flash memory has mostly replaced the magnetic hard drive disks (HDDs) that used to be common in computers.MEMORY MANAGEMENT TABLE Approximate/Actual Values Abbreviation [Approximate Actual Bit (common 'b) Oort Byte B (Capital BY Bites ilobyies KB O00 Byes Teas bytes Megabte, MB | All million bytes 1024 KB werer [Titan bytes 1024 MB Terabyte tp | “SS Lirillion bytes. 1024 GB Peubyte m 10" Bytes ToT Exa Bye EB TO™ Bytes 12 Zeta Bye ZB 10" Bytes 02 E Yat Byte YB 102470 Bron Byte [BB Tos YB Gigabyte GB