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Memory and Its Types

Computer memory is divided into main memory and auxiliary memory. Main memory, also called primary memory, includes RAM and ROM and is located on the computer motherboard, allowing very fast access by the CPU. Auxiliary memory, also called secondary memory, includes hard disk drives, solid state drives, optical disks, and tape drives, and provides slower but larger long-term storage. The key difference between the two types of memory is speed of access.

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14K views4 pages

Memory and Its Types

Computer memory is divided into main memory and auxiliary memory. Main memory, also called primary memory, includes RAM and ROM and is located on the computer motherboard, allowing very fast access by the CPU. Auxiliary memory, also called secondary memory, includes hard disk drives, solid state drives, optical disks, and tape drives, and provides slower but larger long-term storage. The key difference between the two types of memory is speed of access.

Uploaded by

Nikku
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MEMORY AND ITS TYPES

Computing memory refers to the physical devices used to store programs or


data on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital
electronic device.
Computer memory is divided into main (or primary) memory and auxiliary (or
secondary) memory. Main memory holds instructions and data when a
program is executing, while auxiliary memory holds data and programs not
currently in use and provides long-term storage.

The key difference between primary and secondary memory is speed of access.

 Main memory includes ROM and RAM and is located close to the CPU
on the computer motherboard, enabling the CPU to read data from
primary memory very quickly indeed. It is used to store data that the
CPU needs immediately so that it does not have to wait for it to be
delivered.

 Secondary memory by contrast, is usually physically located within a


separate storage device, such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive
(SSD), which is connected to the computer system either directly or over
a network.

MAIN MEMORY TYPES

There are 2 main types of main memory. They are RAM and ROM.

RAM

RAM- Random access memory is a type of data storage used in computers that
is generally located on the motherboard. This type of memory is volatile and all
information that was stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
RAM memory is very fast, and it can be written to as well as read from.
Types of RAM

 DRAM: DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM, and it is the most common type
of RAM used in computers.
 SRAM: Static RAM (SRAM) is volatile memory and is often used in cache
memory and registers because it is a lot faster than DRAM, but more
expensive and bulker.

ROM
ROM stands for read-only memory in which data can be read from this type
of computer memory but cannot normally be written to it. It is a very fast
type of computer memory. ROM is a type of non-volatile memory, which
means that the data stored in ROM persists in the memory even when it
receives no power – for example when the computer is turned off.

Types of ROM

 PROM: PROM stands for Programmable Read-Only Memory.


 EPROM: EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory,
data stored in an EPROM can be erased and the EPROM reprogrammed.
 EEPROM: EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-
Only Memory, and it can be erased and written to by the computer
system it is installed in.
SECONDARY MEMORY TYPES

Secondary memory units are among computer peripheral equipment. They


trade slower access rates for greater storage capacity and data stability.
Secondary memory holds programs and data for future use, and, because it is
non-volatile (like ROM), it is used to store inactive programs and to archive
data.
Secondary memory comprises many different storage media which can be
directly attached to a computer system. These include:

 Hard disk drives- Hard drives generally have several disks, or platters,
with an electromagnetic read/write head for each surface; the entire
assembly is called a comb. A microprocessor in the drive controls the
motion of the heads and also contains RAM to store data for transfer to
and from the disks.

 Solid state drives (SSDs) is the computers main internal storage; this is


where the applications software, disk operating system and files are
stored. They have fast data transfer/ access time and large capacity to
store data.
 Optical (CD or DVD) drives -An Optical Drive refers to a computer
system that allows users to use DVDs, CDs and Blu-ray optical drives.
The Drive contains some lenses that project electromagnetic waves that
are responsible for reading and writing data on optical discs.

 Tape drives- A tape drive is a device that stores computer data on


magnetic tape, especially for backup and archiving purposes. A tape
drive records data on a loop of flexible celluloid-like material that can be
read and also erased.

Magnetic Tape
Drive

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