Question #1

What are the different types of computer memory? Briefly Explain the various type of
Memory also includes figures and table in your report, if required.
1. Computer memory representation
The computer memory stores different kinds of data and instructions.
Binary digit or bit is the basic unit of memory.
A bit is a single binary digit, i.e., 0 or 1.
A bit is the smallest unit of representation of data in a computer. A group of 8 bits
form a byte.
1 bit = 0 or 1
1 Byte (B) = 8 bits
1 Kilobyte (KB) =1024 bytes
1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024KB
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB

2. Memory Hierarchy

The memory in a computer can be divided into five levels / hierarchies based on the
speed as well as use.
The processor can move from one level to another based on its requirements. The five
hierarchies in the memory are registers, cache, main memory, magnetic discs, and magnetic
tapes.
The first three hierarchies are volatile memories, whereas the last two hierarchies are non-
volatile.

1
Memory hierarchy is divided into two types
3. 1. Primary Memory
The memory unit that establishes direct communication with the CPU is called Primary
Memory. This memory includes main, cache, as well as CPU registers.

4. 2. Secondary/ Auxiliary Memory

Auxiliary memory is known as the lowest-cost, highest-capacity and slowest- access storage
in a computer system.
Auxiliary memory provides storage for programs and data that are kept for long-term storage
or when not in immediate use. The most common examples of auxiliary memories are
magnetic tapes and magnetic disks.

I/O Processor
The primary function of an I/O Processor is to manage the data transfers between auxiliary
memories and the main memory.
Main Memory
The main memory in a computer system is often referred to as Random Access Memory
(RAM). This memory unit communicates directly with the CPU and with auxiliary memory
devices through an I/O processor.
The programs that are not currently required in the main memory are transferred into
auxiliary memory to provide space for currently used programs and data.

2
 5. Cache Memory

Cache memory is a high-speed memory inside CPU, which is small in size but faster than
the main memory (RAM).
Cache memory acts as a buffer between RAM and the CPU. Cache memory is used to reduce
the average time to access data from the Main memory.
Whenever the CPU requires data, it first checks the cache. If the data is found, it is read from
the cache memory (Finding data or instruction in cache is called cache hit). Otherwise, the
CPU moves onto the main memory (cache miss).
The cache memory stores the program currently being executed or which may be executed
within a short period of time.

6. Types of Cache
1. Primary Cache (L1 cache) –
A primary cache is always located on the processor chip. This cache is small and its access
time is comparable to that of processor registers.
2. Secondary Cache (L2 cache) –
Secondary cache is placed between the primary cache and the rest of the memory. It is
referred to as the level 2 (L2) cache.

7. Primary memory
The memory unit that establishes direct communication with the CPU is called Primary
Memory.
Primary memory stores the intermediate results and final results of the processing
before it is stored in the permanent storage. Some of this memory is volatile i.e. contents
stored will get erased if power is switched off and some of them are non-volatile i.e. contents
cannot be erased.

Primary memory can be classified into two parts:

 Read-Only Memory (ROM)
 Random Access Memory (RAM)

3
 8. Read-Only Memory (ROM)

ROM is a permanent memory chip in motherboard which contains booting programs.

They are present in computers and many other types of electronic products.
The programs inside ROM are executed each time we switch ON the computer.
Normally the contents are not erased.
Types of ROM:
ROM can be broadly classified into 4 types based on their behavior:
• MROM (Masked ROM)
They are pre-programmed ROM. Program once written cannot be changed anyhow.
• PROM (Programmable ROM)
• PROM can be programmed once by the user. Once written the content cannot
be altered.
• EPROM( Erasable and Programmable ROM )
Here the content of ROM can be erased by exposing EPROM to Ultra violet radiation.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM)
Here the content of ROM can be erased using electric signals.
However, only one byte can be erased at a time. Hence, reprogramming of EEPROM
is a slow process.
9. Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is also called “direct access memory”.
Random access means that data can be accessed directly.
RAM is used to store data and instructions temporarily. A program must be loaded
into RAM before execution.
RAM is volatile memory. It means that its contents are lost when the power is turned off.
RAM is read/write memory. CPU can read data from RAM and write data to RAM. It is
used to store data and instruction while it is being executed. RAM is also called main
memory or primary storage.

RAM plays very important role in the processing speed of a computer. A bigger RAM size
provides larger amount of space for processing. So the processing speed is increased. The
amount of data that can be stored in RAM is measured in bytes. Most desktop computers
typically have 2 GB to 4 GM of RAM. It also allows the addition of more memory if needed.

4
RAM is of two types −  Static RAM (SRAM)  Dynamic RAM
(DRAM)

Difference between Static RAM and Dynamic RAM

SRAM DRAM
Transistors are used to store information in Capacitors are used to store data in DRAM.
SRAM.

Capacitors are not used hence no refreshing It needs to be refreshed periodically.

is required.

SRAM is faster DRAM is slower as compared to SRAM.

These are expensive. These are cheaper.

These are used in cache memories. These are used in main memories.

SRAMs are low density devices. DRAMs are high density devices.

10.Secondary memory
Secondary memory is also known as External Memory/Auxiliary memory/Backup
memory. It is used for storing data and instructions both permanently. It is also
used to transfer data from one computer to another.

Secondary memory is not directly accessible to the CPU. They are non- volatile in
nature and data does not disappear when the computer turned off. Secondary memory is
cheaper than primary memory and also slower in both reading and writing.

Example: Hard disk, CD, DVD, Pen drive, etc.

Uses of secondary memory

• Permanent storage: It stores data permanently even if the power supply is

off.  Large Storage: It provides large storage
• Portable: Some secondary devices are removable. So, we can transfer data
from one computer to another.

Types of Secondary memory

5
Secondary memory is of two types:
1. Fixed devices

Fixed storage is also known as fixed disk drives or hard drives. Here data is stored in a
built-in fixed storage device.

Types of fixed storage:

• SSD (solid-state disk)
• Hard disk drives (HDD)

2. Removable devices
Removable storage is also known as disks drives or external drives.
It is a storage device that can be inserted or removed from the computer according to our
requirements. They are portable so that we can easily transfer data from one computer to
another. Also, they provide the fast data transfer.
Types of Removable Storage:
• Optical discs (like CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.)
• Memory cards
• Floppy disks
• Magnetic tapes

11.Secondary memory devices

Floppy Disk
A floppy disk consists of a magnetic disc in a square plastic case. It is used to store data and
to transfer data from one device to another device. Floppy disks are available in two sizes
Size: 3.5 inches, the Storage capacity of 1.44 MB
Size: 5.25 inches, the Storage capacity of 1.2 MB.
To use a floppy disk, our computer needs to have a floppy disk drive.
This storage device becomes obsolete now and has been replaced by CDs, DVDs, and flash
drives.

Compact Disc
A Compact Disc (CD) is a commonly used secondary storage device. It contains tracks and
sectors on its surface. Its shape is circular and is made up of polycarbonate plastic. The

6
storage capacity of CD is up to 700 MB of data. A CD may also be called a CD-ROM
(Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), in these computers can read the data present in a CD-
ROM, but cannot write new data onto it.
CD is of two types:
CD-R (compact disc recordable): Once the data has been written onto it cannot be erased,
it can only be read.
CD-RW (compact disc rewritable): It is a special type of CD in which data can be erased
and rewritten as many times as we want. It is also called an erasable CD.
Digital Versatile Disc
A Digital Versatile Disc also known as DVD it is looks just like a CD, but the storage
capacity is greater compared to CD, it stores up to 4.7 GB of data. DVD-ROM drive is
needed to use DVD on a computer. The video files, like movies or video recordings, etc., are
generally stored on DVD and you can run DVD using the DVD player. DVD is of three
types:
DVD-ROM(Digital Versatile Disc Read only)
DVD-R(Digital Versatile Disc Recordable) DVD-RW(Digital Versatile Disc
Rewritable and Erasable)
Blu-ray Disc
A Blu-ray disc looks just like a CD or a DVD but it can store data or information up to 25
GB data. If you want to use a Blu-ray disc, you need a Blu-ray reader. The name Blu-ray is
derived from the technology that is used to read the disc ‘Blu’ from the blue-violet laser
and ‘ray’ from an optical ray.
Hard Disk
A hard disk is a part of a unit called a hard disk drive. It is used to storing a large
amount of data. Hard disks or hard disk drives come in different storage capacities.(like
256 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, etc.). It is created using the collection of discs known as
platters. The platters are placed one below the other. They are coated with magnetic material.
Each platter consists of a number of invisible circles and each circle having the same centre
called tracks.
Hard disk is of two types (i) Internal hard disk (ii) External hard disk.

12.References (Book Reading)

1. "Computer Organization and Architecture" by William Stallings

2. "Fundamentals of Computers" by V. Rajaraman
3. "Computer System Architecture" by M. Morris Mano
4. Class Lecture Notes and Diagrams