Computer Hardware 2

MEMORY DEVICES
GROUP II
Memory Representation
2
 Memory hierarchy
1. Primary memory
2. Secondary memory
Memory Representation
3
Memory
4
Main memory consists of a number of

storage locations, each of which is identified
by a unique address
The ability of the CPU to identify each

location is known as its addressability
Each location stores a word i.e. the number

of bits that can be processed by the CPU in
a single operation. Word length may be
typically 16, 24, 32 or as many as 64 bits.
A large word length improves system

performance, though may be less efficient
on occasions when the full word length is not
used
Types of main memory
There are two types of main memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read
Only Memory (ROM)
Random Access Memory (RAM)

 holds its data as long as the computer is switched on
 All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off
 Described as being volatile
 It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order
Its purpose is to temporarily hold programs and data for processing. In modern
computers it also holds the operating system
Types of RAM
1. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)

• Contents are constantly refreshed 1000 times per second
• Access time 60 – 70 nanoseconds
2. Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)

• Quicker than DRAM
• Access time less than 60 nanoseconds
3. Direct Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRDRAM)

• New type of RAM architecture
• Access time 20 times faster than DRAM
• More expensive
Types of RAM
4. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)

• Doesn’t need refreshing
• Retains contents as long as power applied to the chip
• Access time around 10 nanoseconds
• Used for cache memory
• Also for date and time settings as powered by small battery
5. Cache memory
• Small amount of memory typically 256 or 512 kilobytes
• Temporary store for often used instructions
• Level 1 cache is built within the CPU (internal)
• Level 2 cache may be on chip or nearby (external)
• Faster for CPU to access than main memory
The operation of cache memory
8
1. Cache fetches data 2. CPU checks to see
from next to current whether the next
addresses in main instruction it requires is in
memory cache
Main Cache
Memory Memory CPU
(DRAM) (SRAM)
3. If it is, then the

4. If not, the CPU has to
instruction is fetched
fetch next instruction
from the cache – a very
from main memory - a
fast position
much slower process
= Bus connections
Types of RAM
9 6. Video Random Access memory

• Holds data to be displayed on computer screen
• Has two data paths allowing READ and WRITE to occur at the same time
• A system’s amount of VRAM relates to the number of colours and resolution
• A graphics card may have its own VRAM chip on board
7. Virtual memory
• Uses backing storage e.g. hard disk as a temporary location for programs and
data where insufficient RAM available
• Swaps programs and data between the hard-disk and RAM as the CPU requires
them for processing
• A cheap method of running large or many programs on a computer system
• Cost is speed: the CPU can access RAM in nanoseconds but hard-disk in
milliseconds (Note: a millisecond is a thousandth of a second)
• Virtual memory is much slower than RAM
Read only memory (ROM)
10
 ROM holds programs and data permanently even when computer is switched off
 Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct access
 The contents of ROM can be fixed at the time of manufacture
 Stores a program called the bootstrap loader that helps start up the computer
 Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds

Types of ROM
11
1. Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)

• Empty of data when manufactured
• May be permanently programmed by the user
2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)

• Can be programmed, erased and reprogrammed
• The EPROM chip has a small window on top allowing it to be erased by
shining ultra-violet light on it
• After reprogramming the window is covered to prevent new contents being
erased
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
Types of ROM
12
3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)

• Reprogrammed electrically without using ultraviolet light
• Must be removed from the computer and placed in a special machine to do this
• Access times between 45 and 200 nanoseconds
4. Flash ROM
• Similar to EEPROM
• However, can be reprogrammed while still in the computer
• Easier to upgrade programs stored in Flash ROM
• Used to store programs in devices e.g. modems
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
5. ROM cartridges
• Commonly used in games machines
• Prevents software from being easily copied
Secondary Storage Devices
13
 Secondary storage devices facilitates storing of

information and programs permanently.
 Sequential Access
 Magnetic Tape
 Direct Access
 Magnetic Disks : FDD, HDD, ZIP Disk
 Optical Disks: CD ROM, DVD
 Magneto Optical Disks
Secondary Storage Devices
14
Traditional Floppy Diskette
8-15
Direct Access Storage Devices
16
 magnetic hard and floppy disks

 removable hard disks
 optical discs
 CD-ROM,
 CD-R, CD-RW,
 DVD
GEOMETRY:
TRACKS and SECTORS
Floppy Disks
17
 High capacity
 Known as a floppy-disk cartridge
 Require special disk drives
 Three well known types
 Zip disks
 HiFD disks
 SuperDisks
18
Hard Disks
 Use thicker, metallic platters for storage
 Faster than a floppy diskette
 Large capacity
 Sensitive instruments
Internal Hard Disk
19
 Located inside system unit

 Known as a fixed disk
 Designated as the C drive
 Advantages over floppies
 Access speed
 Capacity
Hard-Disk Packs
20
 Removable
 Massive storage capacity
 Common in mainframes
 Resembles stack of vinyl records
Hard-Disk Pack
21
Optical Disks
22
 Compact
 Permanent storage
 Laser beams reflect off pits
 Two common types
 CD
 DVD
Compact Disc
23
 Optical format
 From 650 MB to 1 GB capacity
 Rotation speeds vary
 Types
 Read only: CD-ROM
 Write once: CD-R
 Rewriteable: CD-RW
 Picture CDs and Photo CDs
24
CD–R
 discs are “burnt” one at a

time
 high intensity laser beam
used for recording
pregrooved tracks
 low intensity beam for
reading
25
CD-RW
 CD-ReWritable--
writable, erasable disc
 optical phase-change
recording
 Erased, written up to
1,000 times
26
DVD
 Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk (DVD)
 Similar to CDs, but can store more data
 Types
 Read only
 Write once
 Rewritable
 Higher capacity:
 higher data density
 multiple sides
 multiple layers
Other Types of Secondary Storage
27
 Solid-state storage
 Internet hard drives
 Magnetic tape
Solid-State Storage
28
 Flash memory cards

 Widely used in notebook computers
 Used to record MP3 music files
 Key chain hard drives

 Key chain flash memory
devices
 Connects to a USB port
Internet Hard Drives
29
Magnetic Tape
30
 Provides sequential access

 Information stored in sequence
 Slower than disks which provide
direct access
 Magnetic tape streamers or tape

cartridges used by both mainframes
and microcomputers
Blu-Ray Technology
31
 New standard in storage

 Blu-Ray
 New disks use blue laser light instead of the red laser
light used in traditional CD players
 Disks may ultimately hold
 Over 30GB on one-sided disks
 Over 50GB on two-sided disks

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MEMORY DEVICES

Main memory consists of a number of

The ability of the CPU to identify each

Each location stores a word i.e. the number

A large word length improves system

Random Access Memory (RAM)

 All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off

 Described as being volatile

 It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order

1. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)

2. Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)

3. Direct Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRDRAM)

4. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)

3. If it is, then the

9 6. Video Random Access memory

 The contents of ROM can be fixed at the time of manufacture

 Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds

1. Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)

2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)

3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)

 Secondary storage devices facilitates storing of

 magnetic hard and floppy disks

 Faster than a floppy diskette

 Located inside system unit

 discs are “burnt” one at a

 Internet hard drives

 Flash memory cards

 Key chain hard drives

 Provides sequential access

 Magnetic tape streamers or tape

 New standard in storage

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