Memory of Computer

Lecture 3

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Introduction
As the word implies “memory” means the place where we have to
store anything, this is very essential part of human being just like this
memory is also very important for computer system because in
computer system we have to store some data or information and for
storing these items we need some memory or space.
• So that’s why we can say that memory is very important part of
computer system

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Introduction
There are various units which are used to measure computer memory
• Bit -Smallest unit of computer memory
• Byte: 8 bit = 1 byte
• Kilobyte: 1024 byte = 1 kb
• Megabyte: 1024 kb = 1 mb
• Gigabyte: 1024 mb = 1 gb
• Terabyte: 1024 gb = 1 tb

By Engr Marjan Saeed

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Memory hierarchy

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Memory hierarchy
• A typical hierarchy consists of:
1. Register file;
2. Per-processor level 1 (L1) instruction and data cache;
3. On-chip, shared unified level 2 (L2) cache;
4. Off-chip level 3 (L3) cache;
5. Main memory;
6. Hard disc for virtual memory.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Registers
Register are used to quickly accept, store, and transfer data and instructions that
are being used immediately by the CPU.
• These Registers are used by the CPU for Performing the Operations.
• It holds the data or instruction for the ongoing process/execution.
• There are various types of Registers those are used for various purpose. Among of the some
Mostly used Registers are
1. Accumulator (AC): (This Register is used for storing the Results those are produced by the System)
2. Data Register or DR :(A register used in microcomputers to temporarily store data being transmitted to
or from a peripheral device.)
3. Address Register (AR):(This register holds the memory addresses of data and instructions)
4. Program counter (PC): It keeps track of the next memory address of the instruction that is to be
executed once the execution of the current instruction is completed.
5. Memory Data Register (MDR):MDR which contains the data to be written into or readout of the
addressed location.
6. Index register
7. Memory Buffer Register
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Cache Memories
To store data locally in order to speed up subsequent retrievals.
• A memory cache, also called a "CPU cache," is a memory bank that bridges
main memory and the processor
• The cache allows instructions to be executed and data to be read and
written at higher speed.
• Instructions and data are transferred from main memory to the cache in
fixed blocks, known as cache "lines,“.
• Levels of cache
1. L1
2. L2
3. L3
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Levels of Cache Memory
• L1 and L2 are levels of cache memory in a computer.
• (Level 1 cache) A memory bank built onto the microprocessor chip
itself. Also known as the "primary cache," an L1 cache is the fastest
memory in the computer and closest to the processor.
• For example, the Intel MMX microprocessor comes with 32 thousand bytes of
L1.
• (Level 2 cache) A memory bank built into the CPU chip, packaged
within the same module or built on the motherboard. The L2 cache
feeds the L1 cache, which feeds the processor.
• L2 memory is slower than L1 memory.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

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Use of a Cache Memory
• Consider the simple arrangement shown below

• Usually, the cache memory can store a reasonable number of blocks at any
given time, but this number is small compared to the total number of blocks
in the main memory
• The correspondence between the main memory blocks and those in the
cache is specified by a mapping function

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Primary Memory
Primary memory also known as “main memory” or “internal memory”
which is located in the mother board of system or as we say which is
directly connected to the CPU. It is the place where only little bit of
data are stored either by manufacturer or by user.
• This is further divided into two parts:-
• RAM
• ROM

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RAM

• RAM also known as “random access memory ” it stores the data

which the user currently uses or as we say it stores the data
temporary in it. RAM needs power or electricity to work when the
computer power is turned off the n all the data in it will be erased
automatically.
• This is a circuit which have its separate space or slot in motherboard.
This allows the computer to run the software faster.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Classification of RAM
RAM is further classified into two types
• SRAM
• DRAM
SRAM :
Known as Static RAM. The word “static” refers that the memory retain
sits contents as long as the power is supplied so that’s why we can say
this is volatile in nature. SRAM does not need to be refreshed
periodically.
• SRAM is faster but more expensive than DRAM.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

DRAM

• Known as Dynamic RAM. It also contains data only when electricity is

available. DRAM need store fresher periodically due to this, this RAM
works slower than SRAM. Mainly general PC uses this RAM because it
is much cheaper than SRAM and requires less space.

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ROM

• Known as “Read Only Memory” as the word refers mainly it can only
read the data which in stored in it. This memory is mainly used by our
computer when we just turn on our computer. It contains BIOS of
system. This is non-volatile in nature.
• Mainly there are three types of ROM :-
• PROM
• EPROM
• EEPROM

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PROM

• Known as “programmable Read Only memory”. In this when the data

is stored then we have no right to change or alter any data to it. In
this the data is written by Manufacturer company, even you can also
purchase blank PROM chip but it can be programmed by special tool
such as PROM programmers. In general PC’s mainly PROM is used
because we don’t have to alter any data to it.

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EPROM

• Known as “Erasable PROM” as the word refers “erasable” means we

can change or erase the data. So in EPROM we have right to change
the data. In this we can change the data with the help of ultra violet
rays. EPROM is much expensive than PROM.

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EEPROM

• Known as “Electrically Erasable PROM” the type of ROM which can be

erased by electrical charges. EEPROM can be erased one byte at any
time rather than erasing the entire chip by ultraviolet rays.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Secondary Memory
The place where we store our personal data in computer system is known as
SM. In this we store data so that when the data is needed we can easily retrieve
it. This is the fundamental component of comp. system. It is non volatile in
nature so that we cannot loose the data when power supply is off.
• There are two methods for accessing the data from it:-
1. Sequential
This is the method in which we search the data sequentially or line by line until you find
the desired data. E.g. Magnetic tape, etc.
2. Direct
This is the method in which computer can go directly to the information that the user
wants.
• e.g.magnetic disk,optical disk,etc.
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Magnetic Tape:

• Magnetic tape appears similar to the tape used in music cassettes. It

is a plastic tape with magnetic coating. Mainly it is used to store
music, movie, etc. it is not used to store data in it because as we know
it comes under sequential access and it reads data line by line so that
we can’t find the exact location of data.

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Magnetic Disk:
This is widely used popular storage medium for direct access secondary
storage. This is the place where data are automatically save when we
click on save button. It is non volatile so that once data is stored in it
will not lost when power goes off. This is the storage device where we
mainly store or install OS for system.
• Some of the magnetic disk are as follows:-
• Hard Disk
• Floppy Disk, etc.

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Hard Disk

• Hard Disk also known as “Hard Drive” or “Fixed Drive”. This is the
place where we store our data or information so that we can retrieve
for further use. This is the place where we install our OS so that we
can run our computer. Hard disk comes fix in our system and if you
require more hard disk then it comes in removable also. The average
computer to day comes with a 250 to 500 Gb hard drive.

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Floppy Disk

• This is removable, round, flat piece, is kind of disk is read and written
by Floppy Disk Drive(FDD), which is a device which performs basic
operations on disk including reading and writing of data to it. This was
used to transfer data from one computer to another. Earlier 5¼”
floppy disks were used but these disks have less storage capacity so
new format of 31/2” floppy disk came in market. Nowadays floppy
disk are not used because off less storage and high rate.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Optical Disk

• This is the secondary storage medium in which you can store much
more data in it. This is flat, circular, plastic disk coated with material.
Optical disk is very popular because of its small size and huge storage
capacity. You must have optical disk reader in your computer so that
you can read or write data on it.
• There are two types of optical disk
1. CD
2. DVD

By Engr Marjan Saeed

CD

• Known as “Compact Disk”, mainly used to store data, music, movie,

software, etc. it can store 80 minutes of continues video recording.
The space of CD is upto 700mb. Due to its high storage capacity it is
widely used. To avail the services of CD your computer should have
CD drive.
• There are two types of CD
1. CDROM.
2. CDR/W.

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DVD

• Known as “Digital Versatile Disk”. It is high capacity storage medium.

Mainly used to store movie, music, software, etc. the storage capacity
of DVD is upto 4.7gb. It looks similar to CD but due to its high storage
capacity it is not cheaper as CD. To avail the facility of DVD you must
have DVD drive in your computer. DVD drive also gives you facility to
run CD disks too.
• Types of DVD :-
1. DVD ROM.
2. DVD R/W.

By Engr Marjan Saeed

Summary

By Engr Marjan Saeed