Scribd
Upload
3 views

Memory Organization

Computer memory is categorized into Primary Memory, which is directly connected to the CPU (e.g., RAM, ROM), and Secondary Memory, which is not directly connected (e.g., Hard Disk, Pen Drive). Primary Memory is faster but has less storage capacity compared to Secondary Memory, which retains data even when power is off. Additionally, Cache Memory acts as a high-speed intermediary between the CPU and main memory to enhance processing speed.

Uploaded by

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

Memory Organization

Computer memory is categorized into Primary Memory, which is directly connected to the CPU (e.g., RAM, ROM), and Secondary Memory, which is not directly connected (e.g., Hard Disk, Pen Drive). Primary Memory is faster but has less storage capacity compared to Secondary Memory, which retains data even when power is off. Additionally, Cache Memory acts as a high-speed intermediary between the CPU and main memory to enhance processing speed.

Uploaded by

Dhrubo Adhikary
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Computer Memory

Computer memory: The devices of computer in which data or


information are stored permanently or temporarily are known
as Computer memory.
Types of Computer Memory: Computer memory is of two
types such as-
i) Primary Memory and ii) Secondary Memory
Primary Memory: The memory which is directly connected with
CPU is known as Primary Memory. Example: RAM, ROM.
Secondary Memory: The memory which is not directly connected
with CPU is known as Secondary Memory. It is connected
with CPU through Primary Memory. Example: Hard Disk,
Floppy Disk, Compact Disk, Digital Versatile Disk, Pen Drive
etc.
Types of Computer Memory
Differences Between Primary Memory and Secondary Memory
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
1 . Primary or main memory is directly 1. Secondary or auxiliary memory is not
connected with CPU. directly connected with the CPU.

2. This memory contains program for 2. All programs and data are stored
processing and some program used for permanently in secondary memory.
computers own control.
3. Usually the storage capacity of the 3. The storage capacity of auxiliary
main memory is less than that of the memory is more than that of the main
auxiliary memory. memory.

4. Though data can be stored 4. No data of secondary memory is lost


permanently in ROM of the main even if the electricity fails.
memory, data of RAM is totally lost if
electricity fails.

5. Unit price of primary memory is more 5.Unit price of secondary memory is less
than that of secondary memory. than that of primary memory.
Differences between RAM and ROM
RAM ROM

1. Its full name is Random Access 1. Its full name is Read Only Memory.
Memory.

2. This is a temporary memory. 2. This is a permanent memory.

3. . Instruction/data is lost when power is 3. Data is not lost if power is cut off. That is ,
cut off. That is, it is volatile memory. it is non volatile memory.

4. This is a write/ Read memory. 4. This is basically a read memory.

5. Capacity of RAM is more than that of 5. Capacity of ROM is less than that of RAM.
ROM.

6. . Its examples are static RAM, Dynamic 6. Its examples are PROM, EPROM.
RAM etc. EEPROM etc.
Virtual Memory
• Virtual Memory:
To remove the limitations of storing data in the main
memory, the latest operation system, can use the
auxiliary memory of the computer, such as the empty
space of the hard disk as a part of the main memory.
This system is present in Mac OS and Windows
operation system. The part of the auxiliary memory
which is considered as main memory is called Virtual
Memory. The space of the hard disk used as the part
of main memory i.e. internal memory will be found
short to store data in the hard disk.
Cache Memory
• Cache Memory:
The smallest high speed and expensive memory in the computer is cache
(pronounced Cash) Memory. Cache memory is similar to RAM, except that
it is extremely fast compared to normal memory, and it is used in a
different way. The speed of processing becomes fast if the
instructions and data used much are kept in the cache memory. As
there is variation in the speed of the CPU and main memory, a kind of
memory named cache memory is used between the CPU and the main
memory whose speed is 100 times more than that of the CPU.
When a program is running and the CPU needs to read data or program
instructions from RAM, the CPU checks first to see whether the data is in
cache memory. If the data is not there, the CPU reads the data from RAM
into its registers, but it also loads a copy of the data into cache memory.
The next time the CPU needs that same data, it finds it in the cache
memory and saves the time needed to load the data from RAM. Since the
late 1980's, most PC CPU's have cache memory built into them. This CPU
resident cache is often called Level-1 (LI) cache. Today, many CPU's have
as much as 256 KB built in. In addition to the cache memory built into the
CPU is also added to the motherboard. This mother-board-resident cache
is often called Level-2 (L2) cache.
Many PC's being sold today have 512 MB or 1024 MB or 2 GB or 4 GB of
cache memory in the motherboard. In this system, when CPU required
any instruction, it firsts checks the cache memory and if not found, then
the main memory. But almost in 90% case, data or instruction can be
found in the cache memory.

You might also like