Different Types of Computer Memories

Just like a human brain, the digital devices such as computer, microcontroller &
smartphone needs a space to store the information & instruction, this storage space is
called memory or “computer memory” and the building block of memory is called a
memory cell. In simple words, memory is an electronic circuit or device capable of
storing information temporarily or permanently.

Types of Computer Memories

The computer memory is classified into three main types; Cache Memory, Primary
Memory and Secondary Memory.

Table of Contents
  Cache Memory
 Primary Memory:
o RAM (Random Access Memory)
 DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
 SRAM (Static RAM)
o ROM (Read-Only Memory)
 PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)
 EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)
 EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory)
 Secondary Memory
o Fixed Memory
o Removable Memory
o Magnetic Memory
o Optical Memory
o Solid-State Memory SSD
Cache Memory
The Cache memory is the fastest type of memory that acts as a buffer to store
temporary data between the processor & data memory. It stores the necessary data
frequently used by the CPU so that it can easily access it. It is the most expensive type
of memory & it is integrated inside the CPU chip.

Primary Memory:
The primary memory or primary storage or main memory is a type of computer memory
that is directly accessed by the CPU. It allows the processor to quickly fetch & execute
the instruction & commands stored in this memory.
The primary memory can store the data permanently such as ROM & temporarily such
as RAM.
The Primary memory is further classified into the following two types; RAM and ROM.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
The RAM has further two types & they are briefly discussed below;
DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
DRAM or Dynamic RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is a type of RAM
where the computer memory cell used for storing a bit of data is made of capacitor &
a transistor. Due to the leakage current of the capacitor, the cell cannot retain the
information for too long. Therefore, the DRAM needs to be refreshed or recharge after a
specific time to maintain the data.
Advantages of DRAM
advantages of DRAM
 Each memory cell is made of only one transistor, so its design is simple
 The bit per chip density is higher.
 The Cost per bit is relatively low
 The DRAM is inexpensive.
 Power consumption is low because the data is store in a capacitor.
Disadvantages of DRAM;
 The memory is volatile.
 The cell needs to be refreshed at a constant rate to retain data.
 The refreshing consumes extra power.
 The circuitry required for refreshing is complex
 The DRAM is relatively slower in operation than SRAM
The DRAM is used as the main memory. It is an off-chip memory, placed externally on
the motherboard.
SRAM (Static RAM)
The SRAM or Static RAM is another type of primary memory that stores it data
using flip flop & latches. Each memory cell used for storing a single bit of data is made
of 6 transistors.
Advantage of SRAM
Here are some of the advantages of SRAM over DRAM
 There is no leakage current, thus it does not need to be refreshed.
 Due to no need for refreshing. The access time is faster.
 It is on-chip memory which also increases its operation speed
 It does not need extra circuitry for refreshing.
 It is relatively very faster than DRAM.
Disadvantages of SRAM
 Each cell is made of 6 transistors which require more space than DRAM
 It is more expensive than DRAM.
 Due to large physical space for each bit, it has very low storage capacity.
 The memory is volatile i.e. the data is erased when there is no power.
 It consumes more power than DRAM due to a large number of transistors & constant
power supply.
 It is comparatively cheaper than RAM
 Difference between RAM and ROM
Difference RAM ROM

RAM is a volatile memory

which could store the data ROM is a non-volatile memory
as long as the power is which could retain the data even
Data retention supplied. when power is turned off.

Read and write operations

Read/Write are supported Only read operations are supported

Used to store the data that It is typically used to store firmware

has to be currently or microcode, which is used to
processed by CPU initialize and control hardware
Use temporarily. components of the computer

Speed It is a high-speed memory. It is much slower than the RAM.

CPU can easily access data CPU cannot easily access data
CPU Interaction stored in RAM stored in ROM

Large size with higher

Size and capacity, with respect to Small size with less capacity, with
Capacity ROM respect to RAM

CPU Cache, Primary

Used as/in memory. Firmware, Micro-controllers

The data stored is easily The data stored is not as easily

Accessibility accessible accessible as in RAM

Cost Costlier cheaper than RAM.

A RAM chip can store only

a few gigabytes (GB) of A ROM chip can store multiple
Chip Size data. megabytes (MB) of data.

Function Used for temporary storage Used to store firmware, BIOS, and
Difference RAM ROM

of data currently being

processed by CPU other data that needs to be retained

Difference between SRAM and DRAM :

Below table lists some of the differences between SRAM and DRAM:

What is Read-Only Memory (ROM)?

ROM stands for Read-Only Memory. It is a non-volatile memory that is used to

stores important information which is used to operate the system. As its name
refers to read-only memory, we can only read the programs and data stored on
it. It is also a primary memory unit of the computer system. It contains some
electronic fuses that can be programmed for a piece of specific information. The
information stored in the ROM in binary format. It is also known as permanent
memory.
Features of ROM (Read-Only Memory):
 ROM is a non-volatile memory.
 Information stored in ROM is permanent.
 Information and programs stored on it, we can only read.
  Information and programs are stored on ROM in binary format.
 It is used in the start-up process of the computer.
Types of Read-Only Memory (ROM):
1. MROM (Masked read-only memory)
2. PROM (Programmable read-only memory)
3. EPROM (Erasable programmable read-only memory)
4. EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory)
Now we will discuss the types of ROM one by one:
1. MROM (Masked read-only memory): We know that ROM is as old as
semiconductor technology. MROM was the very first ROM that consists of a
grid of word lines and bit lines joined together transistor switches. This type of
ROM data is physically encoded in the circuit and only be programmed during
fabrication. It was not so expensive.
2. PROM (Programmable read-only memory): PROM is a form of digital
memory. In this type of ROM, each bit is locked by a fuse or anti-fuse. The data
stored in it are permanently stored and can not be changed or erasable. It is
used in low-level programs such as firmware or microcode.
3. EPROM (Erasable programmable read-only memory): EPROM also called
EROM, is a type of PROM but it can be reprogrammed. The data stored in
EPROM can be erased and reprogrammed again by ultraviolet light.
Reprogrammed of it is limited. Before the era of EEPROM and flash memory,
EPROM was used in microcontrollers.
4. EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory): As its
name refers, it can be programmed and erased electrically. The data and
program of this ROM can be erased and programmed about ten thousand
times. The duration of erasing and programming of the EEPROM is near about
4ms to 10ms. It is used in microcontrollers and remote keyless systems.
Advantages of ROM:
 It is cheaper than RAM and it is non-volatile memory.
 It is more reliable as compared to RAM.
 Its circuit is simple as compared to RAM.
 It doesn’t need refreshing time because it is static.
 It is easy to test.
Disadvantages of ROM:
 It is a read-only memory, so it cannot be modified.
 It is slower as compared to RAM.

Difference between PROM and EPROM.

 PROM EPROM

The data stored in PROM is permanently The EPROM can be reprogrammed and
stored and cannot be changed and erased. reusable multiple times.

EPROM is more expensive than

PROM is not expensive compared to EPROM. PROM.

A bipolar transistor is used in PROM. A MOS transistor is used in EPROM.

PROM is more flexible than EPROM. EPROM is less flexible than PROM.

PROM is used in low-level programs such as

firmware or microcode. EPROM is used in microcontrollers.

Characteristics of ROM
 It is a non-volatile memory or permanent memory.
 It stores the instructions regarding the startup (& program code) of a microcontroller
or computer.
 The CPU cannot directly access its data.
 It can be write once & read multiple times.
 It does not need the power to maintain its data.
 It has a very low capacity.
 It is slower than RAM

Advantages of ROM
The advantages of ROM are as follows −

 Non-volatile in nature
 Cannot be accidentally changed
 Cheaper than RAMs
 Easy to test
 More reliable than RAMs
 Static and do not require refreshing
 Contents are always known and can be verified
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Parallel Adder –
A single full adder performs the addition of two one bit numbers and an input
carry. But a Parallel Adder is a digital circuit capable of finding the
arithmetic sum of two binary numbers that is greater than one bit in length by
operating on corresponding pairs of bits in parallel. It consists of full adders
connected in a chain where the output carry from each full adder is connected
to the carry input of the next higher order full adder in the chain. A n bit parallel
adder requires n full adders to perform the operation. So for the two-bit
number, two adders are needed while for four bit number, four adders are
needed and so on. Parallel adders normally incorporate carry lookahead logic
to ensure that carry propagation between subsequent stages of addition does
not limit addition speed.

Working of parallel Adder –

1. As shown in the figure, firstly the full adder FA1 adds A1 and B1 along
with the carry C1 to generate the sum S1 (the first bit of the output
sum) and the carry C2 which is connected to the next adder in chain.
2. Next, the full adder FA2 uses this carry bit C2 to add with the input bits
A2 and B2 to generate the sum S2(the second bit of the output sum)
and the carry C3 which is again further connected to the next adder in
chain and so on.
3. The process continues till the last full adder FAn uses the carry bit Cn
to add with its input An and Bn to generate the last bit of the output
along last carry bit Cout.
Parallel Subtractor –
A Parallel Subtractor is a digital circuit capable of finding the arithmetic
difference of two binary numbers that is greater than one bit in length by
operating on corresponding pairs of bits in parallel. The parallel subtractor can
be designed in several ways including combination of half and full subtractors,
all full subtractors or all full adders with subtrahend complement input.
Working of Parallel Subtractor –
1. As shown in the figure, the parallel binary subtractor is formed by
combination of all full adders with subtrahend complement input.
2. This operation considers that the addition of minuend along with the
2’s complement of the subtrahend is equal to their subtraction.
3. Firstly the 1’s complement of B is obtained by the NOT gate and 1 can
be added through the carry to find out the 2’s complement of B. This is
further added to A to carry out the arithmetic subtraction.
4. The process continues till the last full adder FAn uses the carry bit Cn
to add with its input An and 2’s complement of Bn to generate the last
bit of the output along last carry bit Cout.
Advantages of parallel Adder/Subtractor –
1. The parallel adder/subtractor performs the addition operation faster as
compared to serial adder/subtractor.
2. Time required for addition does not depend on the number of bits.
3. The output is in parallel form i.e all the bits are added/subtracted at the
same time.
4. It is less costly.
Disadvantages of parallel Adder/Subtractor –
1. Each adder has to wait for the carry which is to be generated from the
previous adder in chain.
2. The propagation delay( delay associated with the travelling of carry
bit) is found to increase with the increase in the number of bits to be
added.