Primary Storage Memory

Created by

chloe lynch

Cards (17)

Why is Primary Storage Memory needed
to provide fast access to the CPU
2 types of Primary Storage Memory
RAM - Random Access Memory
ROM - Read Only Memory
Volatile  
RAM is Volatile and ROM is non-volatile
Read and Write on Primary Memory
RAM can be read and written
ROM can only be read
RAM (Random Access Memory) properties
Computers have limited amount of RAM
RAM is used as the main memory in a computer
Volatile memory is temporary memory - requires power to retain its data
RAM is slower than CPU cache but faster than secondary storage
ROM (Read Only Memory) properties 
contains all instructions a computer needs to properly boot up (called BIOS / Basic Input Output System)
When computer is powered on, CPU reads instructions from ROM
Non-Volatile memory - retains data after power is lost
More RAM 
more RAM - more applications/memory (intensive applications) it can smoothly run faster
Too little RAM
running slowly due to use of virtual memory
Upgrade RAM on PC or laptop
Easy to upgrade - replace RAM sticks with ones with higher capacity/speed
Excess RAM 
If computer already has excess RAM to run everything user wants, more RAM will not change the performance
RAM purpose
When apps, documents and files are opened, they are copied from secondary storage to RAM and stays there until closed
ROM purpose
contains all instructions a computer needs to properly boot up (called BIOS / Basic Input Output System)
Virtual Memory  
type of secondary storage that is used as an extra RAM
When is virtual memory used 
When RAM is full, data that hasn't been used recently goes to secondary storage (virtual memory)
Disadvantage of Virtual Memory
If CPU needs to read data in virtual memory, data has to move back to RAM (slow because data transfer rates on secondary storage is slower than RAM)
primary storage
computer's working short term memory
RAM
can only process certain amount of program
uses virtual memory once it runs out