Computer Memory

Memory
• A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and
instructions. Computer memory is the storage space in the computer,
where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are
stored. The memory is divided into large number of small parts called
cells. Each location or cell has a unique address, which varies from zero to
memory size minus one. For example, if the computer has 64k words,
then this memory unit has 64 * 1024 = 65536 memory locations. The
address of these locations varies from 0 to 65535.
 Types of memory
• Memory is primarily of three types
1. Cache Memory
2. Primary Memory/Main Memory
3. Secondary Memory
 1. Cache Memory
• Cache memory is a very high speed
semiconductor memory which can speed up the
CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the
main memory. It is used to hold those parts of data
and program which are most frequently used by
the CPU. The parts of data and programs are
transferred from the disk to cache memory by the
operating system, from where the CPU can access
them.
 Cache Memory(cont..
The advantages of cache memory are as follows −
• Cache memory is faster than main memory.
• It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
• It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
• It stores data for temporary use.
The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −
• Cache memory has limited capacity.
• It is very expensive.
 2. Primary Memory (Main Memory)
• Primary Memory (Main Memory)
• Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on
which the computer is currently working. It has a limited
capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. It is
generally made up of semiconductor device. These
memories are not as fast as registers. The data and
instruction required to be processed resides in the main
memory. It is divided into two subcategories RAM and
ROM.
 Characteristics of Main Memory
• These are semiconductor memories.
• It is known as the main memory.
• Usually volatile memory.
• It is called volatile because , Data is lost in case power is switched off.
• It is the working memory of the computer.
• Faster than secondary memories.
• A computer cannot run without the primary memory.
 3. Secondary Memory
• This type of memory is also known as external
memory or non-volatile. It is slower than the
main memory. These are used for storing
data/information permanently. CPU directly does
not access these memories, instead they are
accessed via input-output routines. The contents of
secondary memories are first transferred to the
main memory, and then the CPU can access it. For
example, disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.
 Characteristics of Secondary Memory
• These are magnetic and optical memories.
• It is known as the backup memory.
• It is a non-volatile memory because, Data is permanently stored even if
power is switched off.
• It is used for storage of data in a computer.
• Computer may run without the secondary memory.
• Slower than primary memories.
 Random Access Memory
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is the internal memory of the CPU for
storing data, program, and program result. It is a read/write memory
which stores data until the machine is working. As soon as the machine is
switched off, data is erased ,that’s why its called volatile memory.
• RAM is volatile, i.e. data stored in it is lost when we switch off the
computer or if there is a power failure. Hence, a backup Uninterruptible
Power System (UPS) is often used with computers. RAM is small, both in
terms of its physical size and in the amount of data it can hold.
 Random Access Memory
RAM is of two types
1. Static RAM (SRAM)
2. Dynamic RAM (DRAM
 1. Static RAM (SRAM)
• The word static indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as
power is being supplied. However, data is lost when the power gets down
due to volatile nature. SRAM chips use a matrix of 6-transistors and no
capacitors. Transistors do not require power to prevent leakage, so SRAM
need not be refreshed on a regular basis.
• There is extra space in the matrix, hence SRAM uses more chips than
DRAM for the same amount of storage space, making the manufacturing
costs higher. SRAM is thus used as cache memory and has very fast
access.
 Characteristic of Static RAM
• Long life
• No need to refresh
• Faster
• Used as cache memory
• Large size
• Expensive
• High power consumption
 2. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• DRAM, unlike SRAM, must be continually refreshed in order to
maintain the data. This is done by placing the memory on a refresh circuit
that rewrites the data several hundred times per second. DRAM is used for
most system memory as it is cheap and small. All DRAMs are made up of
memory cells, which are composed of one capacitor and one transistor.
 Characteristics of Dynamic RAM
• Short data lifetime
• Needs to be refreshed continuously
• Slower as compared to SRAM
• Used as RAM
• Smaller in size
• Less expensive
• Less power consumption
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
• ROM stands for Read Only Memory. The memory
from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This
type of memory is non-volatile. The information is
stored permanently in such memories during
manufacture. A ROM stores such instructions that are
required to start a computer. This operation is referred to
as bootstrap. ROM chips are not only used in the
computer but also in other electronic items like washing
machine and microwave oven.
 Advantages of ROM
• The advantages of ROM are as follows −
• Non-volatile in nature
• Cannot be accidentally changed
• Cheaper than RAMs
• Easy to test
• More reliable than RAMs
• Static and do not require refreshing
• Contents are always known and can be verified
 Types of ROM
1. MROM (Masked ROM)
2. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
3. EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
4. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only
Memory)
 1. MROM (Masked ROM)
• MROM (Masked ROM)
• The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that contained a pre-
programmed set of data or instructions. These kind of ROMs are known as
masked ROMs, which are inexpensive.
 2. PROM (Programmable Read Only
Memory)
• PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
• PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user. The
user buys a blank PROM and enters the desired contents using a PROM
program. Inside the PROM chip, there are small fuses which are burnt
open during programming. It can be programmed only once and is not
erasable.
 3. EPROM (Erasable and Programmable
Read Only Memory)
• EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of
up to 40 minutes. Usually, an EPROM eraser achieves this function.
During programming, an electrical charge is trapped in an insulated gate
region. The charge is retained for more than 10 years because the charge
has no leakage path. For erasing this charge, ultra-violet light is passed
through a quartz crystal window (lid).
 4. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and
Programmable Read Only Memory)
• EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and
reprogrammed about ten thousand times. Both erasing and programming
take about 4 to 10 ms (millisecond). In EEPROM, any location can be
selectively erased and programmed. EEPROMs can be erased one byte at
a time, rather than erasing the entire chip. Hence, the process of
reprogramming is flexible but slow.
 Motherboard
• The motherboard is mounted inside the case and is
securely attached via small screws through pre-drilled
holes. Motherboard contains ports to connect all of the
internal components.
• The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect
all of the parts of a computer together. It connects the
CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card,
sound card, and other ports and expansion cards directly
or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a
computer.
 Features of Motherboard
• A motherboard comes with following features −
• Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of components.
• Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories.
• Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the
motherboard to function properly.
• Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work
properly together.
 Popular Manufacturers
• Following are the popular manufacturers of the motherboard.
• Intel
• ASUS
• AOpen
• ABIT
• Biostar
• Gigabyte
• MSI
 Memory Units
• Memory unit is the amount of data 2. Nibble
that can be stored in the storage unit. A group of 4 bits is called nibble.
This storage capacity is expressed in 3. Byte
terms of Bytes. A group of 8 bits is called byte. A byte is the smallest unit,
• The following table explains the which can represent a data item or a character.
4. Word
main memory storage units –
A computer word, like a byte, is a group of fixed number of bits
1. Bit (Binary Digit)
processed as a unit, which varies from computer to computer
A binary digit is logical 0 and 1 but is fixed for each computer.
representing a passive or an active The length of a computer word is called word-size or word
state of a component in an electric length.
circuit.
 Some higher storage units −
• Kilobyte (KB)
• 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
• Megabyte (MB)
• 1 MB = 1024 KB
• Gigabyte (GB)
• 1 GB = 1024 MB
• Terabyte (TB)
• 1 TB = 1024 GB
• Petabyte (PB)
• 1 PB = 1024 TB