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Computer - Memory: Duhok Polytechnic University Duhok Technical Institute Information Technology Department

The document provides an overview of computer memory, comparing it to human brain function and detailing its role in data storage and processing. It explains the types of memory, including dynamic and static memories, and discusses main memory (RAM), cache memory, and secondary memory, highlighting their characteristics and functions. Additionally, it covers addressing schemes and the impact on memory capacity in different computer architectures.

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hndrenduski663
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6 views8 pages

Computer - Memory: Duhok Polytechnic University Duhok Technical Institute Information Technology Department

The document provides an overview of computer memory, comparing it to human brain function and detailing its role in data storage and processing. It explains the types of memory, including dynamic and static memories, and discusses main memory (RAM), cache memory, and secondary memory, highlighting their characteristics and functions. Additionally, it covers addressing schemes and the impact on memory capacity in different computer architectures.

Uploaded by

hndrenduski663
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Duhok Polytechnic University

Duhok Technical Institute


Information Technology
Department IT

COMPUTER - MEMORY

Created By
Hndren Omer
To teacher
Mr.Nashat Salih

1
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 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 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 circuits can largely be separated into two major groups: dyanamic
memories that store data for use in a computer system (such as the RAM in a PC);
and static memories that store information that defines the operating state of a
digital system.

2
Basic Concepts

The maximum size of the memory that can be used in any computer is determined
by the addressing scheme.

• For example, a 16-bit computer that generates 16-bit addresses is capable of


addressing up to 216=64K memory locations.
• Similarly, machines whose instructions generate 32-bit addresses can utilize
a memory that contains up to 232=4G memory locations.
• Data transfer between the memory and processor takes place through the use
of two processor registers, MAR and MDR.
• One way to reduce the memory access time is to use a cache memory.
• Cache memory is a small, fast memory that is inserted between the larger,
smaller main memory and the processor.

3
Main Memory (RAM)
If we were to sum all the bits of all registers within CPU, the total amount of
memory probably would not exceed 5,000 bits. Most computational tasks
undertaken by a computer require a lot more memory. Main memory is the
next fastest memory within a computer and is much larger in size.
Typical main memory capacities for different kinds of computers are: PC
512MB5 , fileserver 4GB , database server 8GB.
Computer architectures also impose an architectural constraint on the
maximum allowable RAM. This constraint is normally equal to 2WordSize
memory locations.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the most common form of Main
Memory. RAM is normally located on the motherboard and so is typically
less than 12 inches from the CPU.
ROM (Read Only Memory) is like RAM except that its contents cannot be
overwritten and its contents are not lost if power is turned off (ROM is non-
volatile).Although slower than register memory, the contents of any location
in RAM can still be “read” or “written” very quickly . The time to read or
write is referred to as the access time and is constant for all RAM locations.
In contrast to register memory, RAM is used to hold both program code
(instructions) and data (numbers, strings etc). Programs are “loaded” into
RAM from a disk prior to execution by the CPU.
Locations in RAM are identified by an addressing scheme e.g. numbering
the bytes in RAM from 0 onwards 10. Like registers, the contents of RAM
are lost if the power is turned off.

4
Memory is primarily of three types
1) Primary Memory/Main Memory
2) Cache Memory
3) Secondary Memory

5
Primary Memory (Main Memory)

Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which computer is
currently working. It has 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 reside in main
memory.

Internal memory(Primary memory) is divided into two subcategories RAM and


ROM : RAM (Random Accesses Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory).

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Thank You For Your Attention

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