COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
AND ENGINEERING
NOTRE DAME OF MIDSAYAP COLLEGE
“Memory” Prepared by:
Engr. Ernesto Allado Jr.
Subject Instructor
Computer Memory
refers to devices that are used to store data
or programs (sequences of instructions) on
a temporary or permanent basis for use in
an electronic digital computer.
refers to a form of semiconductor storage
known as random-access memory (RAM)
and sometimes other forms of fast but
temporary storage.
Basic Concepts of Computer
Hardware
Primary Memory
Input CPU Output
Units (Central Processing Unit) Units
This model of the typical digital computer is often called the von Neumann
computer.
Programs and data are stored in the same memory: primary memory.
The computer can only perform one instruction at a time.
Primary storage
often referred to simply as memory, is the
only one directly accessible to the CPU.
The CPU continuously reads instructions
stored there and executes them as
required. Any data actively operated on is
also stored there in uniform manner.
Main memory is directly or indirectly
connected to the CPU via a memory bus. It
is actually two buses (not on the diagram):
an address bus and a data bus. The CPU
firstly sends a number through an address
bus, a number called memory address, that
indicates the desired location of data.
Types of Main Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory) – “volatile”
ROM (Read-only Memory) – “non-volatile”
(RAM) RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY
There are two types of main memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read
Only Memory (ROM)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
holds its data as long as the computer is switched on
All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off
It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order
Its purpose is to temporarily hold programs and data for processing. In
modern computers it also holds the operating system
Common Types of RAM
1. Dynamic Random Access Memory
(DRAM)
Contents are constantly refreshed 1000
times per second
Access time 60 – 70 nanoseconds
Note: a nanosecond is one billionth of a
second!
This kind of RAM is the most commonly used
kind of RAM due to its low cost.
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a
type of random access memory that stores each
bit of data in a separate capacitor within an
integrated circuit.
Since real capacitors leak charge, the
information eventually fades unless the
capacitor charge is refreshed periodically.
Because of this refresh requirement, it is a
dynamic memory as opposed to SRAM and other
static memory.
2. Synchronous Dynamic Random
Access Memory (SDRAM)
Quicker than DRAM
Access time less than 60 nanoseconds
Static RAM (SRAM) HIGH SPEED:
A form of Flip-Flop technology that holds each bit of memory in the
memory cell.
Never has to be refreshed unlike DRAM
More parts than DRAM
Takes up more space than DRAM
Less memory per chip
The word "static" indicates that the memory retains its contents as
long as power remains applied, unlike dynamic RAM (DRAM) that
needs to be periodically refreshed.
Used to create the CPU’s speed-sensitive cache
DRAM and SRAM require the need for constant electrical power to
retain stored data…when power is cut off, all data in memory is lost!!!
DRAM,SRAM compare:
DRAM advantage over SRAM in its structural
simplicity: only one transistor and a capacitor are
required per bit, compared to six transistors in
SRAM.
This allows DRAM to reach very high density .
Static – dynamic
The cost of DRAM lower then SRAM cost...
DRAM & SRAM are volatile memory devices -
loses its data when the power supply is removed.
3. Direct Rambus Dynamic Random
Access Memory (DRDRAM)
New type of RAM architecture
Access time 20 times faster than DRAM
More expensive
4. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
• Doesn’t need refreshing
• Retains contents as long as power applied to the chip
• Access time around 10 nanoseconds
• Used for cache memory
• Also for date and time settings as powered by small battery
5. Cache memory
• Small amount of memory typically 256 or 512 kilobytes
• Temporary store for often used instructions
• Level 1 cache is built within the CPU (internal)
• Level 2 cache may be on chip or nearby (external)
• Faster for CPU to access than main memory
The operation of cache memory
1. Cache fetches data 2. CPU checks to see
from next to current whether the next
addresses in main instruction it requires is in
memory cache
Cache
Main
Memory CPU
Memory
(SRAM)
(DRAM)
3. If it is, then the
4. If not, the CPU has to
instruction is fetched
fetch next instruction
from the cache – a very
from main memory - a
fast position
much slower process
= Bus connections
Types of RAM
6. Video Random Access memory
• Holds data to be displayed on computer screen
• Has two data paths allowing READ and WRITE to occur at the same time
• A system’s amount of VRAM relates to the number of colours and resolution
• A graphics card may have its own VRAM chip on board
7. Virtual memory
• Uses backing storage e.g. hard disk as a temporary location for programs
and data where insufficient RAM available
• Swaps programs and data between the hard-disk and RAM as the CPU
requires them for processing
• A cheap method of running large or many programs on a computer system
• Cost is speed: the CPU can access RAM in nanoseconds but hard-disk in
milliseconds (Note: a millisecond is a thousandth of a second)
• Virtual memory is much slower than RAM
(ROM) READ ONLY MEMORY
ROM holds programs and data permanently even when computer is switched off
Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct access
The contents of ROM are fixed at the time of manufacture
Stores a program called the bootstrap loader that helps start up the computer
Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds
Types of ROM
1. Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)
• Empty of data when manufactured
• May be permanently programmed by the user
2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)
• Can be programmed, erased and reprogrammed
• The EPROM chip has a small window on top allowing it to be erased by
shining ultra-violet light on it
• After reprogramming the window is covered to prevent new contents being
erased
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
Types of ROM
3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)
• Reprogrammed electrically without using ultraviolet light
• Must be removed from the computer and placed in a special machine to do this
• Access times between 45 and 200 nanoseconds
4. Flash ROM
• Similar to EEPROM
• However, can be reprogrammed while still in the computer
• Easier to upgrade programs stored in Flash ROM
• Used to store programs in devices e.g. modems
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
5. ROM cartridges
• Commonly used in games machines
• Prevents software from being easily copied
Memory configurations for Intel CPU’s
Uwian na!
