Topic : Units of Memory

Course Title : Computer

Sialkot Institute of Science and Technology, Sambrial

Contents:

o Introduction
o Types of Memory Units
o Primary memory and its types
o Secondary memory and its types
o Secondary Storage Devices
o Units of storage in Computer

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Introduction:

The memory unit is part of the computer that holds data and instructions for processing.
It may also be defined as the storage space in the computer where data to be processed and
instructions required for processing are stored. Although closely associated with the central
processing unit, the memory unit is separated from it.

The Computer System essentially comprises three main parts:

i) Input Devices
ii) Output Devices
iii) Processor (CPU)

Following is the Components of CPU:

a) Arithmetic logic Unit

In addition to these, auxiliary storage devices / secondary storage devices are also used to store
data and instructions on a long-term basis. All storage devices are characterized with following
features:

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  Access Method Speed
 Volatility
 Speed
 Portability
 Cost and capacity

Memory

Input Processor Output

Storage

Figure 1 : Linking Memory with other Units

Types of Memory Units ;

Computer Memory is of two types:

I .Primary memory/main memory/internal memory

II. Secondary memory/auxiliary memory/external memory Primary Memory

I. Primary Memory:

The primary memory is the memory that can be directly accessed by the CPU, the CPU
constantly interact with it, reads instructions stored there and executes them as required.
Following are the Types of Primary memory :

I) RAM

I) ROM

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 Difference between RAM & ROM :

RAM (Read Accesss Memory) ROM (Read only Memory)

It is volatile (It loses data when power is It is non-volatile (retains data even when
turned of) power is of)
Data in RAM can be changed or deleted ROM is fxed or data cannot be modifed..

II. Secondary Memory:

This type of memory is a non-volatile memory. It is slower than the main

Types of Secondary Memory

Secondary memory can be of the following types:

Magnetic: Data and information are stored and retrieved using magnetism. Examples
Magnetic disk Magnetic tape Hard disk floppy disks

Optical: Optical storage devices employ light (laser beams) to store and retrieve data and
information. Examples: CD VCD DVD

Electronic: This holds data and information in the form of electric voltage Example Flash
Memory Others include Punch card.

Secondary Storage Devices

1. Floppy Diskette

2. CD-ROM drives

3. DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)

4. Combo Drives

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 . 5. Hard disk

Units of Storage in Computer

i. Bit (b): Bits is an acronym that stands for Binary digITS. It is the Smallest Unit of data on a
binary computer. A single bit consists of 0 (zero) or 1 (one).

ii. Nibble (nybble, nyble, or nybl): A nibble is a collection of four bits.

iii. Bytes (B): A byte consists of eight bits. It is the smallest item that can be individually
accessed by a program. It is the fundamental unit of storage on a binary computer.

iv. Word: A word is a collection 32 bits.

v. Kilobyte (KB): A Kilobyte consists of 210 (1,024) Bytes which is approximately 1000
Bytes.

vi. Megabyte (MB): One Megabyte consists of 220 (1,048,576) Bytes

. vii. Gigabyte (GB): A Gigabyte is a collection of 230 (1,073,741,824) Bytes.

viii. Terabyte (TB): A Terabyte consists of 240 (1,099,511,627,776) Bytes. ix. Petabyte (PB):
A Petabyte consists of 250 (1,125,899,906,842,624) Bytes.

x. Exabyte (EB): An Exabyte consists of 260 (1,152,921,504,606,846,976) Bytes.

xi. Zettabyte (ZB): A Zettabyte consists of 270 (1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424) Bytes.

xii. Yottabyte (YB): A Yottabyte consists of 280 (1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176)

Conversion from one Unit to another

The conversion process from one unit to another can be done using the following relationships.

1 bit = 0 or 1

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1 nibble = 4 bits

1 bytes = 8 bits

1 word = 16 bits

1 KB = 1024 bytes

1 MB = 1024 KB

1 GB = 1024 MB

1 TB = 1024 GB

1 PB = 1024 TB

1 EB = 1024 PB

1ZB = 1024 EB

1 YB = 1024 Z