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Chapter 3 - Memory and Processors

Chapter 3 discusses the roles of memory and processors in computer performance, highlighting the types of memory: RAM, ROM, and Flash memory. RAM is volatile and impacts multitasking capabilities, while ROM is non-volatile and used for permanent data storage. Processors, consisting of one or more CPUs, execute instructions and their speed is measured in clock cycles.

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17 views

Chapter 3 - Memory and Processors

Chapter 3 discusses the roles of memory and processors in computer performance, highlighting the types of memory: RAM, ROM, and Flash memory. RAM is volatile and impacts multitasking capabilities, while ROM is non-volatile and used for permanent data storage. Processors, consisting of one or more CPUs, execute instructions and their speed is measured in clock cycles.

Uploaded by

jos33333ek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 3

Memory and
Processors
Memory and Processors

Memory is used to store


instructions.
The proessor executes those
instructions.
Both of these parts of the
computer have a big impact on the
performance of the system.
Memory

Memory can be accessed faster


than secondary storage.
Memory is used to store
instructions so that processor can
fetch the instructions quickly in
order to process them.
Memory

There are 3 types of memory:


› Random Access Memory (RAM)
› Read only Memory (ROM)
› Flash memory
Memory

Memory is often called main


memory or primary storage,
And storage is often called
secondary storage.

* Two examples of secondary


storage are hard disks and SSDs.
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

Software is loaded into RAM from a


computer’s secondary storage.
The processor then fetches
software instructions from memory
and executes them.

Software
Storage instruction Memory 0000000011111111 Processor

Processors fetch software instructions from memory. The processor then


decodes and executed the instrucitons.
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

RAM is volatile, meaning that it


cannot store data when it has no
power.
This means that, if you turn off
your computer’s power, any data
held in RAM will be lost.
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

Impact of the size of RAM on the


user
RAM is used to store programs that
are in use.
The more RAM that is available the
more programs can run at the
same time.
This is important when you need to
use many files or programs at the
same time.
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

Then computer system does not


have enough space in RAM, the
operating system creates virtual
memory by using an area of
secondary storage.
Secondary stoarge is much slower
than RAM, so the user will notice a
big decrease in system
performance when the processor
has to access instructions from
virtual memory.
SSD VS HDD in performance?
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

When programs or files are closed,


they are removed from RAM.
As space in RAM becomes
available, active programs are
moved into RAM from virtual
memory, and this will impove the
performance of those programs.
Random Access Memory
(RAM)

A user can add more RAM to a


system, but only up to the
maximum supported by the
computer and operating system.
Adding more RAM can improve the
performance of a computer system
when the user is using multiple
files or programs at the same time.
Read Only Memory
(ROM)

ROM store data permanently.


Unlike RAM, ROM non-volatile,
meaning that data is not lost when
the power is turned off.
Read Only Memory
(ROM)

ROM is used in computer systems


that store only one programme
(single purpose computers), such
as calculators, digital watches and
washing machines.
General purpose computers, such
as home PCs and laptops, also use
ROM To boot the system and load
the operating system from
secondary storage.
Read Only Memory
(ROM)
› ROM is generally used to refer to
memory that cannot be changed
after manufacture. Its full name
is Mask programmed Read Only
Memory.
› PROM stands for Programmable
Read Only Memory. It is
manufactured with the ability to
be written to, but it can only be
written to once.
Read Only Memory
(ROM)

Although the computer systsem


cannot swap instructions in and
out of ROM, it is possible to change
the contents of some types of ROM
so that the data on it can be
updated. These types of ROM are
called:
› EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory)
› EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read Only
Memory)
Read Only Memory
(ROM)

The contents of EPROM and


EEPROM can be erased and then
rewritten to.
EPROM  erased by storng
ultraviolet (UV)
EEPROM  erased by applying a
voltage to one of the pins on the
ROM chip.
The process of erasing and
rewritting the contents of EPROM
and EEPROM is used when
updating the firmware for a device.
Comparing the
characteristics of RAM
and ROM
Comparing the
characteristics of RAM
and ROM

RAM ROM

Stores data when No (Volatile) Yes (Non-volatile)


power off?

Can swap Yes No


instructions in and
out?

Accessible in any Yes Yes


order?

Intended to store… Temporary data Permanent data

Can be upgraded? Yes No


Flash Memory

Flash memory is a type of EEPROM.


Like other types of ROM, it is non-
valatile.
It does not have any moving parts,
so it has a fast access time and low
power consumption.
Because of its low power
consumption, flash memory is used
in the SSDs that are used in
portable device.
Flash memory is often used as
removable storage in USB drives
Processors

A processor is made up of one or


more Central Processing Units
(CPUs).
These carry out software
instructions.
In processors that are made up of
more than one CPU, eachc CPU is
referred to as a core. For
example, in a quad-core processor,
four cores are working during each
processor cycle. These means that
it can do up to four times as much
Processors

Processor cycle: the process of


fetching a program instruction
from memory, decoding the
actions required by the instruction
and executing those actions
Processors

Processor speed is measured in


clock cycles by second. This is the
number of times per second the
processor can carry out one or
more instructions.
Clock cycles are measured in units
called hertz (HZ), kilohertz (KHz),
megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz
(GHz).

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