GCSE J277 Unit 1.

2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Name:

Specification and learning objectives

By the end of this topic, you will have studied:
• The need for primary storage
• The difference between RAM and ROM
• The purpose of ROM in a computer system
• The purpose of RAM in a computer system
• Virtual memory
• The need for secondary storage
• Common types of storage: optical, magnetic, solid-state
• Suitable storage devices and storage media for a specific application
• The advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices and media relating to these characteristics: capacity, speed, portability, durability, reliability, cost

Resources
We recommend the OCR-endorsed text book from PG Online for use during your GCSE studies.
Craig ‘n’ Dave videos for SLR 1.2
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Virtual tour inside a computer

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GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

CPU

Name
Central processing unit

Purpose
To fetch and execute instructions.

Components
• Arithmetic logic unit: Performs calculations and logic.
• Control unit: Decodes instructions and sends signals to
control how data moves around the CPU.
• Cache: Fast-access memory for frequently used
instructions and data.
• Registers: Small amounts of fast memory used to help
fetch and execute instructions.

Factors that affect speed

• Number of cores: Independent processing units.
• Clock speed: The number of cycles per second.
• Cache: Temporary storage of instructions and data.
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

RAM
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

ROM
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Virtual memory

Virtual memory is:

Virtual memory is needed because:

The problem with using virtual memory is that:

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Example of virtual memory in use Hard disk

Scenario: A PC user has the operating system and a presentation app open.
Virtual memory on disk Stored programs on disk

RAM Operating system

8GB

Word processor app

Spreadsheet app

Presentation app

0GB

Graphics app

If this user decides to open a graphics application to edit an image for the
presentation, they will run into a problem:

Video editing app

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Example of virtual memory in use Hard disk

Scenario: A PC user has the operating system running, plus presentation and
graphics apps. The user is not currently working on the open presentation – Virtual memory on disk Stored programs on disk
they are only editing a photograph to include in a slide.

RAM Operating system

8GB

Word processor app

Spreadsheet app

Presentation app

0GB

Graphics app

Explanation of the use of virtual memory in this scenario:

Video editing app

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Example of virtual memory in use Hard disk

Scenario: The user switches back to the presentation app without closing the
graphics app. Virtual memory on disk Stored programs on disk

RAM Operating system

8GB

Word processor app

Spreadsheet app

Presentation app

0GB

Graphics app

Explanation of the use of virtual memory in this scenario:

The graphics app can be put into virtual memory and the presentation app
restored back into RAM. Video editing app
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Why more RAM increases computer speed Hard disk

Scenario: The user doubles the amount of RAM in the computer to 16GB,
turns on the computer, opens the presentation and graphics apps, and Virtual memory on disk Stored programs on disk
continues working on their presentation.

RAM Operating system

16GB

Word processor app

Spreadsheet app

Presentation app

8GB
Doubling the size of the RAM
makes the computer faster Graphics app
because:

Video editing app

0GB
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

The need for secondary storage

ROM can’t be used to save files because: RAM can’t be used to save files because:

Therefore, secondary storage is required because:

Types of secondary storage

RAM, ROM, registers and cache are referred to as primary storage.
The operating system, programs and data are held in secondary storage when not in use.
The term tertiary storage is used to describe backups and archives of large amounts of data.

Secondary storage can be:

Data is stored using Data is stored using Data is stored using

magnetism. semiconductor chips. pits and lands.
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Examples of secondary storage

HARD DISK FLASH MEMORY

Image Image

Type Magnetic Type

Uses Internal storage for PC/laptop. Uses

Holds operating system and
program files.
Characteristics
Characteristics Moving drive head that has to
move to each part of a data
file. Hard disks perform better Reliability and
if they are defragmented. Durability

Reliability and Portability

8 Damaged by impacts
Durability
Can be portable, but Capacity
Portability 7
larger and heavier.

Capacity 10 Very high: 2 – 8TB Cost

Cost 7 Cheap Data access speed

Data access speed 7 Fast

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Examples of secondary storage

CD-R SOLID-STATE DRIVE

Image Image

Type Type

Uses Uses

Characteristics Characteristics

Reliability and Reliability and

Durability Durability

Portability Portability

Capacity Capacity

Cost Cost

Data access speed Data access speed

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Examples of secondary storage

BLU-RAY™ DISC DAT TAPE

Image Image

Type Type

Uses Uses

Characteristics Characteristics

Reliability and Reliability and

Durability Durability

Portability Portability

Capacity Capacity

Cost Cost

Data access speed Data access speed

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Suitability of devices

Alicia is using a helmet-mounted camera to record footage while snowboarding. Suggest two reasons why a solid-state memory card is a good choice for
secondary storage in this scenario and two reasons why a hard disk would be unsuitable.

Greg is considering whether to download games for his games console from an online store or purchase them on a physical format instead.
Suggest several reasons why he may choose one option or another.
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Suitability of devices

Abdul wants to back his photos up and is considering using DVD-R disks. State two advantages and two disadvantages of this method.

Sarah is a student who needs to access her files at both home and school. She currently emails the documents she is working on to her home and keeps a
copy of all her school work on the school servers. She then emails the files back into school and downloads the attachments to the school server when
she is back in class. Suggest a few better alternatives for Sarah and reasons why she might not choose each option.
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Suitability of devices

Scott is getting a new computer. He has three options for secondary storage. He could choose:
• A 6TB hard disk.
• A 2TB solid-state drive.
• A hybrid solution with a 500GB solid-state drive and a 4TB hard disk.

Suggest reasons why Scott may choose each option over the alternatives.
GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Assessment Target: Overall grade:

Minimum expectations by the end of this unit

 Learn terms 16-29 from GCSE Level Key Terminology.
 Complete all pages of the workbook.
 Score 80% in the end-of-unit test.

Feedback
Breadth Depth Understanding

 All aspects complete  Excellent level of depth  All work is accurate

 Most aspects complete  Good level of depth  Most work is accurate

 Some aspects complete  Basic level of depth shown  Some work is accurate

 Little work complete  Little depth and detail provided  Little work is accurate

Comment and action Student response

GCSE J277 Unit 1.2 | Memory and storage – Part 1 Craig’n’Dave

Reflection and Revision checklist

Confidence Clarification
 I can explain the need for primary storage.

 I can explain the difference between RAM and ROM.

 I can explain the purpose of RAM in a computer system.
 I can explain the purpose of ROM in a computer system.
 I can explain the need for virtual memory.
 I can explain the need for secondary storage.

 I can explain common types of storage including: Optical, magnetic, solid-state.

 I can suggest suitable storage devices and media for a specific application.

 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: capacity.

 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: speed.

 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: portability.

 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: durability.
 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: reliability.
 I can explain the advantages and disadvantages of different storage devices/media in relation to the following characteristic: cost.
My revision focus: