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Memory and Storage Difference Between Memory and Storage Vol

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5 views

Memory and Storage Difference Between Memory and Storage Vol

Uploaded by

shotd1446
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Difference Between Memory and Storage

Volatility

• Memory: Volatile (data is lost when power is off).


• Storage: Non-volatile (data is retained even when power is off).

Speed

• Memory: Much faster than storage devices (e.g., HDD or SSD) but holds less
data.
• Storage: Slower compared to memory but stores significantly more data.

Capacity

• Memory: Typically, smaller capacity (e.g., 16GB RAM).


• Storage: Larger capacity (e.g., 1TB HDD or SSD).

Purpose

• Memory: Used to store data temporarily for quick access by the CPU.
• Storage: Used for long-term data retention and file storage.

Types of Storage Devices

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

• Technology: Mechanical devices with spinning disks (platters) coated in


magnetic material. Data is read/written using a moving read/write head.
• Advantages: Large storage capacity at a lower cost.
• Disadvantages: Slower access speed due to mechanical parts and vulnerable to
physical damage.
Solid-State Drives (SSD)

• Technology: Uses flash memory with no moving parts, offering significantly


faster performance than HDDs.
• Advantages: High-speed data access, faster boot times, and more durability due
to lack of moving parts.
• Disadvantages: Higher cost per gigabyte compared to HDDs, though prices are
steadily declining.

Optical Discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)

• Technology: Data is read and written using lasers on the reflective surface of a
disc.
• Advantages: Portable and inexpensive for media storage and distribution.
• Disadvantages: Limited storage capacity, slower access times, and prone to
physical damage.

Flash Drives (USB Drives)

• Technology: Compact and portable flash memory storage similar to SSDs.


• Advantages: Portable, durable, and user-friendly.
• Disadvantages: Smaller storage capacity compared to HDDs and SSDs, though
improving over time.

Cloud Storage

• Technology: Stores data on remote servers accessed via the internet.


• Advantages: Accessible from any device, flexible, and includes automatic
backups.
• Disadvantages: Requires internet connectivity and can pose privacy concerns if
not adequately secured.
Types of Memory

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

• Definition: A type of non-volatile memory that retains critical system data even
when the computer is powered off.
• Common Uses:
o BIOS: Stores firmware for hardware initialization during boot-up.
o Embedded Systems: Contains essential software for devices like routers
or appliances.
• Types of ROM:
o PROM: Programmable once by the user and cannot be altered.
o EPROM: Can be erased using UV light and reprogrammed multiple times.
o EEPROM: Erasable and reprogrammable using electrical signals without
removal from the system.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

• Definition: Volatile memory used to store data and instructions for the CPU
temporarily. Data is lost when power is off.
• Types of RAMS:
o SRAM: Fast and reliable, doesn’t require refreshing, used for small cache
memory but is expensive.
o DRAM: Needs constant refreshing, cheaper, and holds more data, making
it the most common type of RAM.
• Variants of DRAM:
o SDRAM: Synchronized with the system clock for improved speed and
efficiency.
o DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM): Transfers data twice per clock cycle.
▪ DDR2: Faster and more energy-efficient than DDR1.
▪ DDR3: Higher speed and lower power consumption than DDR2.
▪ DDR4: Standard in modern systems with faster speeds and energy
efficiency.
▪ DDR5: The latest generation offering higher bandwidth and
improved performance over DDR4.

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