PRIMARY

MEMORY

Made by Rishav Dugar

BBA IB (eve)

PRIMARY MEMORY
Primary storage, also known as main storage or main memory,
is the main area in a computer in which data is stored for quick
access by the computer's processor.
Primary memory, stores pieces of program instruction and
data, intermediate results of processing, and recently
produced results of those job(s) on which the computer system
is currently working.

PRIMARY MEMORY
Any location of this memory can be accessed by
the CPU to either read information from it, or to
store information in it. The CPU can execute
them as required.

Characteristics of Primary Memory

It is Volatile It looses information as soon as the computer is
switched off or resets.
Storage Capacity Quite less compared to secondary storage
devices.
Expensive Primary units have higher cost per bit of storage as
compared to secondary storage.
Access time As compared to secondary devices, it has faster
access time. (time taken by CPU to locate stored data from
storage unit)
Primary storage of modern computer systems is made up of
semiconductor devices.

Main Memory Capacity

Primary memory consists of several small storage areas
called locations or cells.
Each of these cells store a fixed number of bits called word
length of the memory.

Main Memory Capacity

The act of entering data into a storage location
is called memory write operation, and the act of
retrieving data from a storage location is called
memory read location.
The memory range that can be stored in primary
memory starts from KB (Kilobytes) to GB
(Giga bytes),(it depends whether it is RAM or
ROM)

Primary Memory- Types

a

Primary Memory

Random Access
Memory
Static RAM

Read Only
Memory
Masked ROM
PROM

Dynamic RAM

EPROM
EEPROM
Flash Memory

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer
data storage.
We can read and write in this memory.
Volatile in nature Contents are erased after the power is
turned off.
Store the data and instruction during program execution.

Location
Physically, the memory consists of some
integrated circuit chips (IC) which is located
either on motherboard or on a small board
attached to motherboard.

There are two types of

RAM

STATIC RAM
(SRAM)

DYNAMIC RAM
(DRAM)

STATIC RAM
Static random-access memory (SRAM) is a type of

semiconductor memory which retains its content as

long as the power supply is there. Static RAM uses
a form of flip-flop to circulate data. It uses
almost six transistors for its functioning
Static RAM holds the data in the flip flop
form where it carries each bit of
information. It has different technology and
memory storage method to Dynamic RAM.

DYNAMIC RAM
Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is a type of random-

access memory that cannot retain the data even if constant power
supply is there. Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is typically
charged on the capacitor in it. Dynamic RAM is
widely used memory device that is used in the
current market.
Dynamic RAM chip carries one bit of information
and is made of a number of transistors and
capacitors. The capacitor keeps the data and the
transistor works as a switch to control circulation
process.
The life time of the data in it is in milliseconds.

Differentiate
Static RAM is faster, costlier, and consumes
more power than dynamic RAM, as it takes more
transistors and other devices to store a bit in a
static RAM.
DRAM uses an external circuitry to periodically
refresh storage charge to retain the stored data,
whereas SRAM does not require any special
regenerator circuit to retain the stored data.

READ ONLY MEMORY

(ROM)
Read-only memory (ROM) is a storage medium used in
computers and other electronic devices.

Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, We can read only, one can
not write the instruction/ data on ROM.
Programs can be stored permanently, its not lost after the system shuts
down. (Non Volatile)
It holds the instructions required for booting the computer.

There are five types of

ROM

Flash

Masked ROM

Prom
EProm

EEProm

Masked ROM
Mask ROM (MROM) is a type of read-only
memory (ROM) whose contents are
programmed by the integrated circuit
manufacturer (rather than by the user).
Mask ROM is more compact than any other
kind of semiconductor memory.

For Example
A Personal Computer manufacturer may store
the system boot program permanently in a ROM
chip located on the motherboard of each PC
manufactured by it. It is not possible for users to
modify the boot program stored in the
motherboard, by the manufacturer.

PROM
A programmable read-only memory (PROM) or
field programmable read-only memory (FPROM)
or one-time programmable non-volatile memory
(OTP NVM) is a form of digital memory where the
setting of each bit is locked by a fuse or anti fuse, just
like a burning CD.
Such PROMs are used to store programs
permanently.

PROM
A PROM is a User-Programmed ROM Chip, because
a user can program it.
Once Programmed, a PROM chip becomes a ROM,
and that means now the information on the program
can only be read, and cannot be modified.

EPROM
An EPROM (rarely EROM), or erasable
programmable read only memory, is a better
version of PROM, as EPROM chip allows
users to reprogram it easily to store new
information.

Usefulness of EPROM
Most of the R&D personnel often use EPROMs, as
they need to test a systems efficiency with new
programs.
Also useful for those applications in which one may
like to store a program in a ROM that would normally
not change, but under some unforeseen conditions
user would like to alter it.

EEPROM
Stands for Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory , which
requires high voltage electric pulses for
erasing information stored in it.
With electric pulses, it becomes easier to alter
information stored in a ROM.

Flash Memory
In flash memory, there is ease with which a user
can alter programs stored in it. Many new
storage devices like USB drive and MP3 music
player use Flash Memory.

Difference between RAM and

ROM
RAM is Random Access Memory, while
ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
RAM is volatile and is erased when the
computer is switched off. ROM is nonvolatile and generally cannot be written.
RAM is used for both read and write while
ROM is used only for reading.
RAM needs electricity to flow to retain
information while ROM is permanent.