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Computer Memory Types

Computer memory is divided into three types: cache memory, primary/main memory, and secondary memory. Cache memory is very fast semiconductor memory that stores frequently used data and instructions from main memory. Main memory temporarily stores active data and instructions being used by the CPU. Secondary memory, like hard disks, permanently stores data and is slower than main memory. RAM and ROM are two types of main memory. RAM is read-write memory that temporarily stores data while powered on, while ROM is read-only memory that permanently stores basic instructions.

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10K views

Computer Memory Types

Computer memory is divided into three types: cache memory, primary/main memory, and secondary memory. Cache memory is very fast semiconductor memory that stores frequently used data and instructions from main memory. Main memory temporarily stores active data and instructions being used by the CPU. Secondary memory, like hard disks, permanently stores data and is slower than main memory. RAM and ROM are two types of main memory. RAM is read-write memory that temporarily stores data while powered on, while ROM is read-only memory that permanently stores basic instructions.

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JEETENDRA
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER - 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.
Memory is primarily of three types −

 Cache Memory
 Primary Memory/Main Memory
 Secondary Memory

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.

Advantages
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.

Disadvantages
The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −

 Cache memory has limited capacity.


 It is very expensive.

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.
 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.
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.
 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.

Access time in RAM is independent of the address, that is, each storage location inside
the memory is as easy to reach as other locations and takes the same amount of time.
Data in the RAM can be accessed randomly but it is very expensive.
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.
RAM is of two types −

 STATIC RAM (SRAM)


 DYNAMIC RAM (DRAM)
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
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
Performance Comparison of RAM Types
TIME IN DATA
STANDARD VOLTAGE
MARKET RATE(MT/S)
SDRAM 1993 100-166 3.3
DDR 2000 266-400 2.5/2.6
DDR2 SDRAM 2003 533-800 1.8
DDR3 2007 1066-1600 1.35/1.5
DDR 4 2014 2133-3200 1.2
COMPUTER - READ ONLY MEMORY
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.

Let us now discuss the various types of ROMs and their characteristics.

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.

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.

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). This exposure to ultra-violet
light dissipates the charge. During normal use, the quartz lid is sealed with a sticker.

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.

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

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