www.studymafia.

org

Computer
Memory

Submitted To: Submitted By:

www.studymafia.org www.studymafia.org
 Content
 What is Computer Memory?
 Why is memory important or needed for a
computer?
 Types of Computer Memory
 Primary Memory
 Secondary Memory
 Primary Vs Secondary Memory
 Memory Units
 References
 What is Computer Memory
 Computer memory is any physical device capable
of storing information temporarily, like RAM
(random access memory), or permanently, like
ROM (read-only memory).
 Memory devices utilize integrated circuits and are
used by operating systems, software, and hardware.
 Why is memory important or
needed for a computer?
 Each device in a computer operates at different speeds
and computer memory gives your computer a place to
quickly access data.
 If the CPU had to wait for a secondary storage device,
like a hard disk drive, a computer would be much
slower.
 Types of Computer Memory
 Cache Memory
 Primary Memory/Main Memory
 Secondary Memory
 Primary Memory
 This is the main memory of the computer. CPU can
directly read or write on this memory. It is fixed on
the motherboard of the computer.
 Primary memory is further divided in two types:
1.RAM(Random Access Memory)
2.ROM(Read Only Memory)
 RAM(Random Access Memory)
 RAM is a temporary memory. The information stored
in this memory is lost as the power supply to the
computer is turned off. That’s why it is also called
Volatile Memory.
 It stores the data and instruction given by the user and
also the results produced by the computer temporarily
 ROM(Read only Memory)
 Information stored in ROM is permanent in nature,i.e., it
holds the data even if the system is switched off.
 It holds the starting instructions for the computer. ROM
cannot be overwritten by the computer. It is also called
Non-Volatile Memory.
 Secondary Memory
 This memory is permanent in nature. It is used to store
the different programs and the information
permanently (which were temporarily stored in RAM).
It holds the information till we erase it.
 Different types of secondary storage devices are:
1. Hard Disc, Compact Disc,
2. DVD, Pen Drive,
3. Flash Drive, etc.
 Hard Disc Drive
 Hard disk drive is made up of a series of circular disks
called platters arranged one over the other almost ½
inches apart around a spindle.
 Disks are made of non-magnetic material like
aluminum alloy and coated with 10-20 nm of magnetic
material.
 CD Drive
 CD stands for Compact Disk. CDs are circular disks
that use optical rays, usually lasers, to read and write
data.
 They are very cheap as you can get 700 MB of storage
space for less than a dollar. CDs are inserted in CD
drives built into CPU cabinet.
 They are portable as you can eject the drive, remove the
CD and carry it with you.
 DVD Drive
 DVD stands for Digital Video Display. DVD are
optical devices that can store 15 times the data held
by CDs.
 They are usually used to store rich multimedia files
that need high storage capacity. DVDs also come in
three varieties – read only, recordable and rewritable.
 Pen Drive
 Pen drive is a portable memory device that uses solid
state memory rather than magnetic fields or lasers to
record data.
 It uses a technology similar to RAM, except that it is
nonvolatile. It is also called USB drive, key drive or
flash memory.
 Blu Ray Disk
 Blu Ray Disk (BD) is an optical storage media used to
store high definition (HD) video and other multimedia
filed.
 BD uses shorter wavelength laser as compared to
CD/DVD. This enables writing arm to focus more
tightly on the disk and hence pack in more data. BDs
can store up to 128 GB data.
 Primary Vs Secondary Memory
Parameter Primary memory Secondary memory
The primary memory is
The secondary memory is
Nature categorized as volatile &
always a non-volatile memory.
nonvolatile memories.
Secondary memory is known
These memories are also called as a Backup memory or
Alias
internal memory. Additional memory or
Auxiliary memory.
Data cannot be accessed
directly by the processor. It is
Data is directly accessed by the
Access first copied from secondary
processing unit.
memory to primary memory.
Only then CPU can access it.
It's a volatile memory meaning It's a non-volatile memory so
Formation data cannot be retained in case that that data can be retained
of power failure. even after power failure.
 Memory Units
 Data in the computer’s memory is represented by the two
digits 0 and 1.
 These two digits are called Binary Digits or Bits.
 A bit is the smallest unit of computer’s memory.
 Bits=0,1
1 Byte= 8 bits(e.g,11001011)
1 KB(kilobyte)     = 1024 Bytes
1 MB(megabyte) = 1024 KB
1 GB(Gigabyte)   = 1024 MB
1 TB(Terabyte)    = 1024 GB
 References
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.studymafia.org
 www.pptplanet.com
Thanks