Computer Memory

Management
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

♣ Computer Memory
♣ Characteristics of Main Memory
♣ Types Computer memory
♣ Memory Hierarchy
♣ Present an overview of RAM
♣ Understand the difference between STATIC RAM & DYNAMIC RAM
♣ Present an overview of Red Only Memory
♣ overview of Flash &floppy Disc Zip disk
 Computer Memory

• Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information

temporarily or permanently. For example (RAM)Random

Access Memory is A volatile MEMORY that store information or an

integrated circuit used by the operating system software

and hardware.
 Computer Memory

• In computing, memory refers to a device that is used to

store information for immediate use in a computer or
related computer hardware device
• Examples of non-volatile memory are flash memory (used as
secondary memory) and ROM (used for storing firmware
such as BIOS)
 Characteristics of Main Memory

• A computer cannot run without the primary memory

• It is known as the main memory. Usually volatile memory.
• Data is lost in case power is switched off.
• It is the working memory of the computer.
• Faster than secondary memories.
 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
 Types Computer memory

• Types Computer memory is of two basic type –

Primary memory(RAM and ROM) and Secondary memory (hard

drive, CD,etc.).

• Random Access Memory (RAM) is primary-volatile memory and

Read Only Memory (ROM) is primary-non-volatile memory
 Memory Hierarchy

• The computer memory can be divided into 5 major hierarchies that are based on use
as well as speed. A processor can easily move from any one level to some other on the

basis of its requirements. These five hierarchies in a system's memory are Register,

Cache Memory, Main Memory, Magnetic Disc, And Magnetic Tape.

 Increasing performance
and
increasing cost

Slow and
inexpensive
 Register

• A processor register (CPU register) is one of a small set of data holding

places that are part of the computer processor. A register may hold
an instruction, a storage address, or any kind of data (such as a bit
sequence or individual characters). Some instructions specify registers
as part of the instruction
 Cache memory

• Cache memory is a chip-based computer component that makes

retrieving data from the computer's memory more efficient.
 Main memory

• Main memory is the primary, internal workspace in the computer, commonly known as

RAM (random access memory). Specifications such as 4GB, 8GB, 12GB and 16GB almost

always refer to the capacity of RAM. In contrast, disk or solid state storage capacities in a

computer are typically 128GB or 256GB and higher

 Magnetic Device
• Magnetic disks are flat circular plates of metal or plastic, coated on both sides with iron oxide.
Input signals, which may be audio, video, or data, are recorded on the surface of a disk as
magnetic patterns or spots in spiral tracks by a recording head while the disk is rotated by a drive
unit.
• Magnetic Device
 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
 Flash Disk
 Floppy Disk
 Zip Disk
 Magnetic-tape
• Magnetic-tape data storage is a system for storing digital information
on magnetic tape using digital recording. Tape was an important

medium for primary

 (Optical Drive)

• CD/DVD/BD Drive Optical drives retrieve or store data on optical discs like
CDs and DVDs which hold much more information.

• CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) and DVD-ROM (Digital Video

Disk Read only Memory)
 Random Access Memory(RAM)

• The term “RANDOM” means any memory location can be

accessed in the same amount of time regardless of its position in
the memory.

• Volatile memory
• Types of RAM:
• SRAM

• DRAM
 Dynamic RAM

• Dynamic RAM is the most common type of memory in use today. Inside a

dynamic RAM chip, each memory cell holds one bit of information and is

made up of two parts: a transistor and a capacitator

 Static RAM

• In static RAM, a form of flip-flop holds each bit of memory. A flip-flop for a
memory cell takes 4 or 6 transistors along with some wiring, but never has

to be refreshed, which makes status RAM appreciably aster than dynamic

RAM.
 STATIC RAM & DYNAMIC RAM

STATIC RAM DYNAMIC RAM

• SRMA are expensive as compared • DRAM’s are less expensive as
then dram compared to SRAM’
• Large in size • Small in size
• SRAM’s are faster • DRAM’s are slower then SRAM’
• SRAM’s structure is complex • DRAM’s structure is simplex the SRAM’
• SRAM doesn't need constant • DRAM’s requires constant power to
power to hold on to data, plex the hold on to stored data.
dram
 How Computer Memory Works

• Although memory is technically any form of electronic storage, it is used most often
to identify fast, temporary forms of storage. If your computer's CPU had to constantly

access the hard drive to retrieve every piece of data it needs, it would

operate very slowly.

 How Computer Memory Works

• When the information is kept in memory, the CPU can access

it much more quickly. Most forms of memory are intended to

store data temporarily.

 How Computer Memory Works

• The CPU accesses memory according to a distinct hierarchy. Whether it

comes from permanent storage (the hard drive) or input (the keyboard),

most data goes in random access memory (RAM) first.

 Read Only Memory(ROM)
•Data stored in these chips is non volatile -- it is not lost when power is
turned off.

•On turn on, the computer loads BIOS from ROM

•Data stored in these chips is either unchangeable or requires a
special operation to change

•Applications: Videogames, calculators, microwave oven, etc

 Read Only Memory(ROM)

• ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user.

• ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off.
For example,

• ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when

it is turned on again
 Read Only Memory (ROM)

• Contains a permanent pattern of data that cannot be changed or

added to

• No power source is required to maintain the bit values in

memory

• Data or program is permanently in main memory and never needs

to be loaded from a secondary storage device
 ROM FUNCTIONS

• BIOS
• POST
• CMOS
 Bios

• BIOS (basic input/output system) is the program a personal computer's

microprocessor uses to get the computer system started after you turn
it on. It also manages data flow between the computer's operating
system and attached devices such as the hard disk, video adapter,
keyboard, mouse and printer. The main function of it is to
provide the basic and direct hardware settings and
control.
 POST

• (Power-On Self-Test)POST, which initializes and tests your computer's hardware.

• POST is a critical step in the startup process of computers that

helps ensure all hardware components are operational.
 CMOS

• Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) is a small amount of memory

on a computer motherboard that stores the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

settings.
 Flash Memory

• A section of memory cells can be erased in a single step, or 'flash', thus the

name

• Non-volatile memory
• Used both for internal memory and external memory applications
• First introduced in the mid-1980’

• Flash memory is used for easy and fast information storage in such devices as

digital cameras, mobile, video game consoles

 Flash Disk

• Flash is a permanent memory that can be electrically Installed and

erased.

• Flash disks a data storage device and they are so easily portable. USB
flash drives (also known as pen drives, or USB memory) are a cheap,
this is a form of memory that keeps its contents even when unplugged.

• Flash Memory can store any type of computer data

 Advantage

• They store much more data than and replaced a floppy disk.
• They require a USB socket on the computer to plug it in.
• A variety of sizes (e.g. 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB 16GB,
32GB and etc.)
 Floppy disk

• A floppy disk is a type of magnetic storage medium that was

widely used for data storage and transfer in the late 20th century

• The floppy disk is the tool used for these tasks. Sometimes called

a diskette, it can store 720 KB to 1.44 MB

 Class activity

• 1: Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing

information temporarily or permanently
A.True
B.False
2: The floppy disk is the tool used for these tasks. Sometimes called a
diskette
A.True
B.False
 Class activity

• 1: Magnetic disks are flat circular plates of metal

A.True
B.False
2: Dynamic RAM is the most common type of memory in use today.
A.True
B.False
 Class activity

• 1: Main memory is the primary, internal workspace in the computer, commonly

known as RAM (random access memory).
A.True
B.False
2: Static RAM is the most common type of memory in use today.
A.True
B.False