Computer Memory and its Types
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Questions and Answers

Why do outer tracks on a hard disk drive (HDD) have the same storage capacity as inner tracks, despite being physically larger?

  • The storage density is higher in the sectors of the inner tracks, allowing them to store the same amount of data in a smaller space. (correct)
  • Outer tracks utilize a different encoding scheme that increases storage capacity.
  • Outer tracks have fewer sectors than inner tracks, compensating for the larger size.
  • The data bits are more densely packed in the sectors of the outer tracks.

    • Which component is responsible for physically moving the read/write head across the platters of a hard disk drive (HDD)?

  • Spindle
  • Platter
  • Actuator Arm (correct)
  • Read/write Head

    • What is the purpose of the spindle in a hard disk drive (HDD)?

  • To maintain the platters in place and rotate them at a consistent speed. (correct)
  • To control the movement of the read/write head.
  • To regulate the power consumption of the HDD.
  • To store data directly on its surface.

    • How does a Solid State Drive (SSD) differ fundamentally from a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) in terms of data storage?

    <p>SSD stores data using flash memory with no moving parts, while HDD stores data magnetically on spinning platters. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an advantage of Solid State Drives (SSDs) over Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)?

    <p>Lower cost per gigabyte of storage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is NOT a typical trait of primary memory compared to secondary memory?

    <p>Lower cost per bit. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary advantage of using magnetic tape for data storage?

    <p>Lower initial cost for large storage capacities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best explains the role of 'pits' and 'lands' on an optical disc?

    <p>Pits and lands are physical structures representing binary code. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A user needs to transfer a 100GB file. Which of the following storage options is most suitable based solely on capacity?

    <p>USB Drive (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characteristics of magnetic tape is MOST relevant for long-term data archiving?

    <p>Its non-volatility and requirement of no electrical power to maintain data storage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A computer system requires a storage solution that offers both high capacity and cost-effectiveness for long-term data backup. Which of the following storage technologies would be the most appropriate?

    <p>Magnetic Tape (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between RAM and ROM?

    <p>RAM is read-write memory, while ROM is read-only memory. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following storage types loses its stored data when the power is turned off?

    <p>RAM (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is DRAM slower in processing time compared to SRAM?

    <p>DRAM requires periodic refreshing to maintain data, adding to processing overhead. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic distinguishes SRAM from DRAM?

    <p>SRAM uses transistors and does not need refreshing, while DRAM uses capacitors and requires refreshing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of magnetic disks, how are tracks typically divided to manage data storage?

    <p>Sectors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key feature of ROM?

    <p>It is non-volatile, retaining data even when the power is off. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes Flash memory?

    <p>Non-volatile memory that can be electronically reprogrammed and erased. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A computer system needs memory that provides the fastest access for frequently used data. Which type of memory is most suitable for this purpose, considering the memory hierarchy?

    <p>Cache Memory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is ROM used to store the bootstrap program?

    <p>ROM is non-volatile, ensuring the program is always available to initialize the OS. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary limitation of PROM?

    <p>PROM can only be programmed once. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is EPROM erased?

    <p>By exposing it to Ultra Violet (UV) light. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key advantage of EEPROM over EPROM?

    <p>EEPROM can be erased and reprogrammed electrically while in the system. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a typical limitation of EEPROM regarding reprogramming?

    <p>EEPROM has a limited number of times it can be reprogrammed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between primary and secondary memory in a computer?

    <p>Primary memory is volatile and directly accessed by the CPU, while secondary memory is non-volatile and requires data transfer to primary memory for CPU access. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A computer user is running a program that requires frequent data access. Which type of memory would be MOST suitable for holding the program's data during execution to ensure optimal performance?

    <p>Primary Memory (RAM) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Suppose a user is working on a document but experiences a sudden power outage before saving it. Which type of memory would MOST likely result in the loss of the unsaved document data?

    <p>Primary Memory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a key advantage of Solid State Drives (SSDs) over Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)?

    <p>SSDs have faster data access speeds compared to HDDs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between EEPROM and other types of programmable ROM regarding the erasure process?

    <p>EEPROM allows erasure of individual bytes, while others typically erase the entire memory at once. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best explains why a CPU cannot directly access data stored in secondary memory?

    <p>Secondary memory requires data to be transferred to primary memory before the CPU can access it. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is data organized on a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?

    <p>Data organized into tracks, which are further divided into sectors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is register memory considered the fastest type of memory in a computer system?

    <p>Because registers are located within the CPU, providing immediate access to data. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do registers contribute to the overall processing speed of a CPU?

    <p>Registers store data temporarily, ensuring the CPU does not have to wait for slower memory. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A program is being moved from a Solid State Drive (SSD) to RAM. What is the MOST likely reason for this?

    <p>To provide faster access to the program's data for the CPU. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following registers is responsible for storing the memory address of the next instruction to be executed?

    <p>Program Counter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of secondary memory that distinguishes it from primary memory?

    <p>Non-volatile data storage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the Accumulator Register (AC) within a CPU?

    <p>To store the results of arithmetic and logical operations performed by the CPU. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a CPU needs to fetch data from a specific location in memory, which register would hold the address of that location?

    <p>Address Register (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which register is responsible for holding the address of a specific input/output device that the CPU wishes to communicate with?

    <p>I/O Address Register (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the I/O Buffer Register in data transfer between an I/O module and the CPU?

    <p>To act as a temporary holding area for data being exchanged. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios would benefit most from the use of a data register?

    <p>Temporarily storing two numbers that will be added together by the processor. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A program is experiencing slow performance because it frequently accesses the same data in main memory. Which of the following would most improve performance?

    <p>Implementing a cache memory system. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the relationship between L1, L2, and L3 cache?

    <p>L1 is the fastest and smallest, while L3 is the largest and slowest. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a data register more advantageous than directly accessing main memory for temporary data storage during processing?

    <p>Data registers offer faster access speeds, improving processing efficiency. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A computer program exhibits improved performance after the introduction of cache memory. What is the most likely reason for this enhancement?

    <p>Frequently used instructions and data are quickly accessible in the cache. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the presence of L3 cache typically affect the performance of L1 and L2 caches?

    <p>It enhances the performance of L1 and L2 caches by providing a larger shared cache space. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A system has a small amount of very fast memory used to hold frequently accessed data. If this memory loses its data when power is removed, what type of memory is it?

    <p>Cache Memory. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A CPU needs to access data. Which memory location will it typically access first to retrieve the data most quickly?

    <p>Level 1 (L1) cache. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Computer Memory

    A storage unit for data and instructions, akin to the brain.

    Primary Memory

    Volatile memory that stores data temporarily for quick access.

    Secondary Memory

    Non-volatile memory used for long-term data storage.

    Cache Memory

    A small-sized, high-speed storage for frequently accessed data.

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    Volatile Memory

    Memory that loses data when powered off.

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    Hard Disk

    A non-volatile storage device that uses magnetic platters.

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    Solid-State Drive (SSD)

    A faster, non-volatile storage device without moving parts.

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    Tracks and Sectors

    Divisions on a hard disk where data is stored.

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    Outer Tracks vs Inner Tracks

    Outer tracks are larger but have the same storage capacity as inner tracks due to higher density.

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    Read-Write Head

    The head that performs all read and write operations on a hard disk.

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    Platters

    Disk-like components of HDD used to store data, usually made from glass or aluminum.

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    Actuator Arm

    Tiny motor that moves the read/write head and controls data transfer between platters.

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    Spindle

    Part that maintains and rotates the platters in a hard drive.

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    Magnetic Tape

    Method of storing data on a thin plastic strip with magnetic coating, known for large capacity.

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    Advantages of Magnetic Tape

    Non-volatile, cost-effective, stores large data amounts without power connection.

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    Random Access

    Ability of a computer to access any memory location directly and quickly.

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    Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

    A type of RAM that needs periodic refreshing to maintain data.

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    Static RAM (SRAM)

    A type of RAM that does not need refreshing and is faster but more expensive.

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    Read Only Memory (ROM)

    Non-volatile memory where data cannot be altered once written.

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    Programmable ROM (PROM)

    A ROM that can be written once by the user, but not changed afterwards.

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    Erasable PROM (EPROM)

    A type of PROM that can be erased using UV light for reprogramming.

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    Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM)

    A type of memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed multiple times.

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    Capacitors in DRAM

    Components in DRAM that store data but require regular refreshing.

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    Magnetic Disk

    A circular plate coated with magnetic material used for storage.

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    Flash Memory

    A non-volatile storage that retains data without power, can be reprogrammed and erased.

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    Optical Disk

    A circular storage medium that uses laser beams to read and write data.

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    RAM

    Volatile memory that stores data temporarily while a computer is running.

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    Non-volatile Memory

    Memory that retains data even when the power is turned off.

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    Tracks

    The locations on a magnetic disk where bits are stored.

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    Sectors

    Divisions within tracks on a magnetic disk for organizing data.

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    EEPROM

    Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM that can be reprogrammed one byte at a time.

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    Register Memory

    Small, fast storage areas in the CPU holding important data and instructions immediately needed.

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    Program Counter (PC)

    Register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.

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    Accumulator (AC) Register

    Stores results of arithmetic and logical operations, typically 16 bits.

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    Address Register

    12-bit register that stores memory addresses for fetching or storing data.

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    I/O Address Register

    Specifies unique addresses for input/output devices for CPU communication.

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    I/O Buffer Register

    Temporary buffer for data exchange between I/O modules and the CPU.

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    Stack Register

    Used to implement a stack data structure for temporary storage.

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    Data Register

    A 16-bit register that temporarily stores operands for processing.

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    General Purpose Register

    A type of register that stores temporary data during operations.

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    Index Register

    A register that stores indices or pointers to data in memory.

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    Level 1 Cache

    The fastest and smallest cache level built into the CPU core.

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    Level 2 Cache

    A larger but slower cache than L1, located on CPU or motherboard.

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    Level 3 Cache

    Shared cache among multiple CPU cores, larger and slower than L1 and L2.

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    Study Notes

    Course: Application of ICT

    • The course is about the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
    • The course material covers computer memory, types of memory, how computer memory works, and various memory components.

    Types of Computer Memory

    • Primary Memory (Internal): This memory is internal to the computer and is used to hold data and instructions that are currently being used by the CPU.

      • RAM (Random Access Memory): Stores data temporarily while the computer is on.
        • SRAM (Static RAM): Faster and more expensive than DRAM. Doesn't need refreshing. Loses data when power is off.
        • DRAM (Dynamic RAM): Cheaper than SRAM, but needs periodic refreshing to retain data. Loses data when power is off.
      • ROM (Read-Only Memory): Stores permanent instructions that the computer needs when it starts up. Non-volatile (data is retained even when power is off).
        • PROM: Programmable ROM—can be programmed once.
        • EPROM: Erasable PROM—can be erased and reprogrammed.
        • EEPROM: Electrically erasable PROM—can be erased and reprogrammed electrically.

    • Secondary Memory (External): This memory provides long-term storage for data and programs. The data in secondary memory is not directly accessible by the CPU, but is moved to the primary memory when needed.

      • Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Uses magnetic platters to store data. Relatively cheap and huge storage capacity, but slower access time. Non-volatile.
      • Solid State Drive (SSD): Uses flash memory to store data, significantly faster than HDDs. More expensive but more durable and lower power consumption. Non-volatile.
      • Optical Disks (CD, DVD, Blu-ray): Use laser technology and pits/lands on a disk surface to store data. Relatively cheap. Non-volatile but slower than HDDs and SSDs.
      • Magnetic Tape: A linear storage medium used for backup and archiving. High capacity but slow access time.

    Basic Unit of Memory Measurement

    • Bit (Binary digit): The smallest unit of data in a computer. Can have a value of 0 or 1.
    • Byte: A group of 8 bits that is used to represent a single character, number or other small unit of data.
    • Other units of measurement include kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), terabyte (TB), petabyte (PB), exabyte (EB), zettabyte (ZB), and yottabyte (YB). Each unit is 1024 times larger than the previous one.

    How Computer Memory Works

    • When you open a program, it is loaded from secondary storage into primary memory.
    • Primary memory is very fast to access, so it quickens the processing speed.
    • Data in volatile memory is lost when the computer is turned off.
    • Non-volatile memory retains the data even when the computer is turned off.

    Other Memory Types

    • Cache Memory: A small, fast memory that stores frequently used data and instructions. It's faster than primary memory (RAM), so it helps to speed up the system's performance by reducing the number of accesses to the slower primary memory.
    • Buffer Memory: A temporary storage area of memory used to hold data during transfer to another storage device or location. It can help smooth out data transfer when the data transfer rates are different or data is transferred in bursts.

    Virtual Memory

    • Virtual memory is a technique that provides an illusion of a large main memory, hiding the real organization of main memory from the processes. The operating system uses a portion of the hard disk to emulate the computer's RAM. This increases the capacity of the memory and facilitates multitasking.

    Registers

    • Registers are small, fast storage areas within the CPU. They hold the most important data and instructions needed quickly.
    • All data must go through registers before the CPU can process it. Speed depends on register count & capacity.

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