Memory

Prepared by: Kevin D. Caratiquit

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.
 Although memory is technically any form of
electronic storage,
it is used most often to identify fast,
temporary forms of
storage.
 ifyour computer's CPU had to constantly
access the hard drive to retrieve every
piece of data it needs, it would
operate very slowly.
 When the information is kept in memory,
the CPU can access it much more quickly.
Most forms of memory are intended to
store data temporarily.
 Read-only memory
 Read-only memory (ROM) chips are located
in the motherboard. ROM chips contain
instructions that can be directly accessed
by the CPU.
 Basicinstructions for booting the computer
and loading the operating system are stored
in ROM. ROM chips retain their contents
even when the computer is powered down.
The contents cannot be erased or
changed by normal means.
Random access memory
 Random access memory (RAM) is the
temporary storage for data and programs
that are
being accessed by the CPU. RAM is volatile
memory, which means that the contents are
erased when the computer is powered off.
 The more RAM in a computer, the more
capacity
the computer has to hold and process large
programs and files, as well as enhance
system
performance.
Double Data Rate (DDR) technology
doubles the maximum bandwidth of
SDRAM.
DDR2 offers faster performance while
using less energy.
DDR3 operates at even higher speeds
than DDR2; however, none of these
DDR technologies are backward- or
forwardcompatible.
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
CPU.
 Itacts as a buffer between the CPU and main
memory. It is used to hold those parts of data
and program which are most frequently used by
CPU. The parts of data and programs are
transferred from disk to cache memory by
operating system, from where CPU can access
them.
 also
called CPU memory, is random
access memory (RAM) that a computer
microprocessor can access more quickly
than it can access regular RAM.
 This memory is typically integrated directly
with the CPU chip or placed on a separate
chip that has a separate bus interconnect
with the CPU.
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 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. The data and
instruction required to be processed reside in
main memory. It is divided into two subcategories
RAM and ROM.
Characteristics of Main Memory

 These are semiconductor memories

 It is known as main memory.
 Usually volatile memory.
 Data is lost in case power is switched off.
 It is working memory of the computer.
 Faster than secondary memories.
A computer cannot run without primary memory.
Secondary Memory

 This type of memory is also known as external

memory or non-volatile. It is slower than 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. Contents of
secondary memories are first transferred to main
memory, and then CPU can access it.
 For example: Hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD etc.
Characteristic of Secondary Memory

 These are magnetic and optical memories

 It is known as backup memory.
 It is 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 secondary memory.
 Slower than primary memories.
STORAGE DRIVES
 Storagedrives read or write information on
magnetic or optical storage media. The
drive can
be used to store data permanently or to
retrieve information from a media disk.
 Storagedrives can be installed inside the
computer case, such as a hard drive. For
portability, some
storage drives can connect to the computer
using a USB port, a FireWire port, or an SCSI
port. These portable storage drives are
sometimes referred to as removable drives and
can be used on multiple computers.
Floppy Drive
A floppy drive, or floppy disk drive, is a
storage device that uses removable 3.5-
inch floppy disks.
These magnetic floppy disks can store 720
KB or
1.44 MB of data.
Hard Drive

A hard drive, or hard disk drive, is a

magnetic storage device that
is installed inside the computer. The hard
drive is used as
permanent storage for data.
The speed of a hard drive is measured
in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Multiple hard drives can be added to
increase storage capacity.
 Traditionalhard drives are magnetic.
Magnetic hard drives have drive motors
designed to spin magnetic platters and the
drive heads. In contrast, the newer solid
state drives (SSDs) do not have moving
parts.
 Because there are no drive motors and
moving parts, the SSD
uses far less energy than the magnetic hard
drive.
 Non-volatileflash memory chips manage
all storage on an SSD, which results in
faster access to data, higher reliability, and
reduced power usage.
 SSDs
have the same form factor as
magnetic hard drives and use ATA or
SATA interfaces.
 SSDs
can be installed as a replacement for
magnetic drives.
Advantages of SSD
 Price
 Maximum and Common Capacity
 Durability

Advantages of HDD
 Availability
Optical Drive
 Anoptical drive is a storage device that
uses lasers to read data on the optical
media. There are three types of optical
drives: Compact Disc (CD), “digital
versatile disc" or "digital video disc” (DVD)
and Blu-ray Disc (BD).
 CD,DVD, and BD media can be pre-
recorded (read-only), recordable (write
once), or rewritable (read and write
multiple times).
External Flash Drive
 Anexternal flash drive, also known as a thumb
drive, is a removable storage device that connects
to a USB port.
 Anexternal flash drive uses the same type of non-
volatile memory chips as solid state drives and
does not require power to maintain the data.
 Thesedrives can be accessed by
the operating system in the same way that other
types of drives are
accessed.
Types of Drive Interfaces
 Harddrives and optical drives are
manufactured with different interfaces that
are used to
connect the drive to the computer.
 Toinstall a storage drive in a computer,
the connection interface on the drive must
be the same as the controller on the
motherboard.
Here are some common drive interfaces:
 IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics or Integrated Device
Electronics, also called Advanced Technology Attachment
(ATA) is an early drive controller interface that connects
computers and hard disk
drives. An IDE interface uses a 40-pin connector.
 SATA – Serial ATA refers to the serial version of the ATA
drive controller interface. A
SATA interface uses a 7-pin data connector.
 SCSI – Small Computer System Interface is a drive
controller interface that can
connect up to 15 drives. SCSI can connect both internal
and external drives. An
SCSI interface uses a 50-pin, 68-pin, or 80-pin connector.
Have a nice day! 
Thank you for listening!