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RANDOM ACCESS Memory

RAM is the internal memory of a CPU that temporarily stores data, programs and results. There are two main types: SRAM, which does not need to be refreshed but is more expensive, and DRAM, which must be refreshed periodically but is cheaper and smaller. Shadow RAM stores a duplicate of the BIOS to allow faster booting, while VRAM acts as a buffer between the CPU and display for storing image data.

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19 views13 pages

RANDOM ACCESS Memory

RAM is the internal memory of a CPU that temporarily stores data, programs and results. There are two main types: SRAM, which does not need to be refreshed but is more expensive, and DRAM, which must be refreshed periodically but is cheaper and smaller. Shadow RAM stores a duplicate of the BIOS to allow faster booting, while VRAM acts as a buffer between the CPU and display for storing image data.

Uploaded by

fraolhailu6
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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RANDOM ACCESS

Memory
Random Access Memory
• RAM(Random Access Memory) is the internal memory of the CPU for
storing data, program and program result. It is read/write memory
which stores data until the machine is working. As soon as the
machine is switched off, data is erased.
• Access time in RAM is independent of the address that is, each
storage location inside the memory is as easy to reach as other
locations and takes the same amount of time. Data in the RAM can be
accessed randomly but it is very expensive
• RAM is volatile, i.e. data stored in it is lost when we switch off the
computer or if there is a power failure. Hence a backup
uninterruptible power system(UPS) is often used with computers.
RAM is small, both in terms of its physical size and in the amount of
data it can hold.
• RAM is of two types
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM
Static RAM (SRAM)
• The word static indicates that the memory retains its contents as long
as power is being supplied. However, data is lost when the power gets
down due to volatile nature. SRAM chips use a matrix of transistors
and no capacitors. SRAM need not have to be refreshed on a regular
basis.
• Because of the extra space in the matrix, SRAM uses more chips than
DRAM for the same amount of storage space, thus making the
manufacturing costs higher. So SRAM has very fast access
Characteristic of the Static RAM
• It has long life
• There is no need to refresh
• Faster
• Large size
• Expensive
• High power consumption
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• DRAM, unlike SRAM, must be continually refreshed in order to
maintain the data. This is done by placing the memory on a refresh
circuit that rewrites the data several hundred times per second.
DRAM is used for most system memory because it is cheap and small.
All DRAMs are made up of memory cells which are composed of one
capacitor and one transistor
Characteristics of the Dynamic RAM
• It has short data lifetime
• Need to be refreshed continuously
• Slower as compared to SRAM
• Used as RAM
• Lesser in size
• Less expensive
• Less power consumption
Shadow RAM
• Shadow RAM is a type of memory stored within a RAM stick that has a
duplicate version of the computer’s basic input-output operating system
(BIOS) information. Aside from assuring that the BIOS is never erased, shadow
RAM has an accelerated access speed so the computer can boot quicker
• When a computer boots, it goes to the read-only memory (ROM) to access
the BIOS information. The problem with this is that ROM tends to be slow,
because it is a larger memory repository, so booting from ROM can take a
long time.

With shadow RAM, the BIOS information is copied to and used from the RAM.
RAM is about twice as quick as ROM, so this cuts boot time in half
• When a computer boots, it goes to the read-only memory (ROM) to
access the BIOS information. The problem with this is that ROM tends
to be slow, because it is a larger memory repository, so booting from
ROM can take a long time.
• With shadow RAM, the BIOS information is copied to and used from
the RAM. RAM is about twice as quick as ROM, so this cuts boot time
in half
• Access in shadow RAM is typically in the 60- 100 nanosecond range
whereas ROM access is in the 125-250 ns range.
• If the user ever accidentally erases the BIOS, then this RAM also will
have the information necessary to start the computer
Video RAM
• Video RAM (VRAM) means in general all forms of random access
memory (RAM) used to store image data for a computer display. All
types of video RAM are special arrangements of dynamic RAM
(DRAM).
• Video RAM is really a buffer between the computer processor and the
display and is often called the frame buffer. When images are to be
sent to the display, they are first read by the processor as data from
some form of main (non-video) RAM and then written to video RAM.
• From video RAM (the frame buffer), the data is converted by a RAM
digital-to-analog converter (RAMDAC) into analog signals that are sent
to the display presentation mechanism such as a cathode ray tube
(CRT).
• Usually, video RAM comes in a 1 or 2 megabyte package and is located
on the video adapter card in the computer. Most forms of video RAM
are dual-ported, which means that while the processor is writing a new
image to video RAM, the display is reading from video RAM to refresh
its current display content.
• The dual-port design is the main difference between main RAM and
video RAM

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