Memory (P1, P2)

Memory is the most common feature in a computer as it occurs in almost every part. The graphics card has memory, the BIOS is saved on a memory chip but it memory is often over-looked. Memory is found within the CPU in the form of Cache memory which is used for frequently used data and so is used within the CPU as the CPU is constantly obtaining, processing and transporting memory. Cache memory can be both internal, in the CPU, which means it’s primary or external where it is situated on the motherboard, which is known as secondary. Cache is found in levels within the CPU as L1 is situated in the CPU but L2 could be either internal or external. Cache is used in the CPU because it acts as a buffer because it holds the data for the CPU to use. L2 puts the data in the order that the cache guesses the CPU will ask for it due to the previous requests. L1 will guess what the RAM wishes to send to the CPU next.

Cache Memory

There are many different types of memory and they are separated as follows:

·         Volatile

o   DRAM – Dynamic RAM

o   SRAM – Static RAM

·         Non-Volatile

o   ROM

§  PROM

§  EPROM

§  EEPROM

o   Flash

Volatile is the most common used as RAM, Random Access Memory, and it is defined as volatile as when you turn the computer off it is all lost unless you have saved it into a non-volatile form. RAM is commonly found in the form of sticks of memory that are inserted directly onto the motherboard so the interface is much quicker. You can both write to it and read from it so RAM is often used for swapping pieces of information in and out of it; therefore the more RAM you have the less time is spent swapping the information in and out of it. DRAM is the most common form of RAM and is made from capacitors compare to SRAM which uses transistors. SRAM is more expensive and so is often used as cache memory instead as you do not need so much of it.

A stick of RAM

Non-Volatile is ROM, Read Only Memory, and is non-volatile as when the computer is turned off it does not lose the data saved to it. You can sometimes write to it but it is often used for things like storing the BIOS or CMOS. However, because RAM is quicker the BIOS may be copied onto the RAM when booting; this is called shadowing.