Lesson 6

Ways to
Remember Data
 The CPU can access data more quickly from
memory than from storage devices. This is
possible because the memory chip, an
integrated circuit (IC) with millions of
transistors, is directly connected to the
microprocessor.
Different types of
memory
 Random Access
Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory temporarily

stores data that the CPU is currently
using.
 Read-only memory
(ROM)

Read-only memory permanently stores

the important data that the computer
constantly needs.
 Basic input/output
system (BIOS)

Is a type of ROM that establishes basic

communication during the bootup
process.
 Cache

Cache is a high-speed storage found in

the reserved section in RAM. It is useful
when accessing frequently used data or
instructions.
 Virtual memory

Virtual memory is a storage area that

temporarily increases the amount of data
instructions that could be stored.
Random Access Memory
Random access memory (RAM) is a high-speed
holding area for data and programs. It is volatile
memory, which means storage of data is temporary.
When the computer is shut off, data in RAM is lost.
Random Access Memory
In Ram, data is saved in memory cells. Memory
cells work like the baggage counters you see in
supermarkets. Each compartment is assigned a
number. When you deposit a baggage, the baggage
attendant stores it in a compartment. You are given a
claim slip that corresponds to the location of your
baggage.
 Memory Address

Each memory cell is also assigned a

memory address. The CPU retrieves data
stored in memory cells as needed.
 Serial Access Memory
(SAM)

The opposite of RAM is serial access memory

(SAM). Unlike RAM, data stored in SAM can
only be accessed sequentially. In order to find the
data needed, each memory cell is checked in
sequence until the data is found.
 Dynamic Random
Access memory
(DRAM)

Is the most common form of computer

memory. It is “dynamic” because the
memory chip should be refreshed
frequently to retain data.
 Static RAM(SRAM)

Retains data longer without the need to

refresh.
 Synchronous
dynamic RAM
(SDRAM)

Transfers data at twice the speed of the

previous RAM technologies because it
synchronized it self with the processor.
 Cache memory

One high-speed data holding area that

enables faster data transfer compared to
RAM is the cache memory.
 Nonvolatile memory

Read-only memory (ROM) is nonvolatile

memory, which means data storage is
permanent.
 Programmable read-
only memory
(PROM)

Is a memory chip in which data can be

written only once.