MEMORY

MEMORY
● A memory is just like a “human brain”.
● It is used to store data and instructions.
● Computer memory is the storage space in the computer,
where data is to be processed and instructions
required for processing are stored.
 MEMORY

CACHE MEMORY PRIMARY MEMORY SECONDARY MEMORY

RAM ROM HARD DISK DRIVE

MROM SOLID STATE DRIVE

STATIC RAM (SRAM) DYNAMIC RAM (DRAM)

PROM
USB FLASH DRIVE
SDRAM
EPROM
ASYNC SRAM SYNC SRAM DDR SDRAM CD DRIVE

EEPROM
DDR2 SDRAM
MEMORY CARD

DDR3 SDRAM

DDR4 SDRAM
CAC E MEMORY
• Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory unit located near the CPU in a
computer system, designed to store frequently accessed data and
instructions temporarily, thereby reducing the time needed to access them
from slower main memory (RAM).
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF CACHE MEMORY
The advantages of cache memory are as follows −
● Cache memory is faster than the main memory.
● It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
● It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
● It stores data for temporary use.

The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −

● Cache memory has limited capacity.
● It is very expensive.
PRIMARY MEMORY (MAIN MEMORY)
● Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which the
computer is currently working.
● Volatile
● Temporary storage
● It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.
Characteristics of Main Memory
● These are semiconductor memories.
● It is known as the main memory.
● Usually volatile memory.
● Data is lost in case the power is switched off.
● It is the working memory of the computer.
● Faster than secondary memories.
● A computer cannot run without primary memory.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

• RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of volatile computer

memory that temporarily stores data and instructions that
the computer's processor is currently using.

• The more RAM a computer has, the more data and programs
it can handle simultaneously, and the faster it can
switch between them.
 TWO TYPES OF RAM
• STATIC RAM
- Asynchronous SRAM
- Synchronous SRAM
• DYNAMIC RAM
- SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR2 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 2 Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR4 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 4 Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
 STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (SRAM)

SRAM (Static RAM)

• This type of RAM is faster than DRAM and is used in cache memory and other
specialized applications.

There are two main types of SRAM:

• Asynchronous SRAM - this type of SRAM does not require a clock signal to
synchronize data transfer and is commonly used in low-power applications such
as battery-operated devices and embedded systems.

• Synchronous SRAM - this type of SRAM uses a clock signal to synchronize data
transfer and is commonly used in high-speed applications such as cache memory.
It is faster and more efficient than asynchronous SRAM, making it ideal for
high-performance applications.
 DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (DRAM)

DRAM(Dynamic RAM)
This is the most common type of RAM and is used in most personal computers. It
requires constant refreshing to retain its contents.

There are several types of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), including:

• SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) - this type of DRAM is synchronized with the computer's
clock, allowing for faster data transfer rates. SDRAM was widely used in computers from
the late 1990s to early 2000s.

• DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM) - this type of DRAM transfers data
on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal, effectively doubling the
transfer rate of SDRAM. DDR SDRAM is commonly used in modern computers.

• DDR2 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 2 Synchronous Dynamic RAM) - this type of DRAM is a newer
version of DDR SDRAM, with higher data transfer rates and lower power consumption.

• DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic RAM) - this type of DRAM has even
higher data transfer rates and lower power consumption than DDR2 SDRAM.

• DDR4 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 4 Synchronous Dynamic RAM) - this is the latest version of
DDR SDRAM, with even faster transfer rates and lower power consumption than DDR3 SDRAM.
COMPARISON C ART
BASIS FOR COMPARISON SRAM DRAM

Speed Faster Slower

Size Small Large

Cost Expensive Cheap

Used in Cache memory Main memory

Density Less dense Highly dense

Complex and uses transistors Simple and uses capacitors and very
Construction and latches. few transistors.

Single block of memory requires 6 transistors 1 transistor.

Present hence require power refresh

Charge leakage property Not present circuitry

Power consumption Low High

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a type of computer memory that stores data
permanently, meaning that the data cannot be modified or erased. It is
used to store critical system data and software that must be available
even when the computer is turned off. The data in ROM is non-volatile,
which means it remains intact even when the computer is turned off.
 MASKED ROM (MROM)
● The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that contained a pre-
programmed set of data or instructions. These kinds of ROMs are known as
masked ROMs, which are inexpensive.

PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY

(PROM)
• This type of ROM is programmed once with a special device called a PROM
programmer, and the data stored on it cannot be changed or updated. PROM
is used for storing firmware and system software that do not need to be
updated frequently.
 ERASABLE AND PROGRAMMABLE READ
ONLY MEMORY (EPROM)
● EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) - this type of ROM can be erased
and reprogrammed multiple times using a special device that exposes the memory
chip to ultraviolet light.
● EPROM is used for firmware and software that need to be updated occasionally.

ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE AND PROGRAMMABLE

READ ONLY MEMORY (EEPROM)
• This type of ROM can be erased and reprogrammed electrically, making it easier to update
and modify than EPROM. EEPROM is used for storing system configuration data and other
data that may need to be updated frequently.
 ADVANTAGES OF ROM
• 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
 SECONDARY MEMORY
• Secondary memory, also known as auxiliary memory or external memory, is a type of
computer memory that is used to store data permanently.
• Secondary memory is non-volatile and can store data even when the computer is turned
off.
• Common examples of secondary memory include hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB
drives, memory cards, and optical disks such as CDs and DVDs.
• Secondary memory is used for the long-term storage of large amounts of data such as
files, documents, images, and videos that do not need to be accessed or modified
frequently. It is also used for backup and archival purposes.
There are several types of secondary memory, including:
• HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD) - a magnetic disk-based storage device that is commonly used for
storing large amounts of data in desktop and laptop computers.

• SOLID-STATE DRIVE (SSD) - a non-mechanical storage device that uses NAND-based flash
memory to store data. SSDs are faster, more reliable, and more expensive than HDDs, and
are commonly used in high-performance laptops and desktops.

• USB DRIVES - small, portable storage devices that connect to a computer via a USB port.
They are commonly used for transferring files between computers, and as a backup storage
device.

• MEMORY CARDS - small, portable storage devices commonly used in digital cameras,
smartphones, and other mobile devices.

• OPTICAL DISKS - storage devices that use a laser to read and write data on a disc.
Common examples include CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, which are commonly used for
storing music, videos, and software.
C ARACTERISTICS OF SECONDARY MEMORY
• These are magnetic and optical memories.
• It is known as the backup memory.
• It is a non-volatile memory.
• Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.
• It is used for the storage of data in a computer.
• Computer may run without the secondary memory.
• Slower than primary memories.
 REFERENCES
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]
• Soriano, Caballero 2010. Computer Fundamentals, 61 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.