HARDWARE FUNCTION - MEMORY

MEMORY
COMPUTER MEMORY VS COMPUTER
STORAGE
 Understandably, many computer users consider memory and storage to be the same thing.
 The term memory refers to the component within your computer that allows you to access
data that is stored for a short term.
 Storage is the component of your computer that allows you to store and access data on a
long-term basis.
 The computer performs many operations by accessing data stored in its short-term memory.
Some examples of such operations including: Editing a document, Running a program and
Browsing the Internet.
 Usually, storage comes in the form of a solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk drive (HDD).
Storage allows you to access and store your applications, operating system, and files for an
indefinite period of time.
 More hard drive storage allows you to store more things on your computer. However, it rarely
affects your computer’s performance.
WHAT IS COMPUTER MEMORY?

 The computer memory is a component that allows you to access data that is stored for a
short term.
 The memory is divided into large number of small parts called cells.
 Each location or cell has a unique address, which varies from zero to memory size minus
one.
 For example, if the computer has 64k words, then this memory unit has 64 * 1024 = 65536
memory locations. The address of these locations varies from 0 to 65535.
 Computer memory is of two types: Volatile (RAM) and Non-volatile (ROM).
 Despite essentially functioning as opposites, both computer memory and computer
storage often work together to create ideal storage conditions.
 For instance, when you save your work in Word, the file data moves from computer
memory to computer storage for long-term retention.
COMPUTER MEMORY

 But, if computer memory is categorized based on space or location, it is of four types:

 Register memory
 Cache memory
 Primary memory
 Secondary memory
REGISTER MEMORY

 Register memory is the smallest and fastest memory in a computer. It is located in the
CPU in the form of registers.
 A register temporarily holds frequently used data, instructions and memory address
that can be quickly accessed by the CPU.
CACHE MEMORY

 It is small in size but faster than the main memory.

 The CPU can access it more quickly than the primary memory.
 It holds the data and programs frequently used by the CPU.
 So if the CPU finds the required data or instructions in cache memory
it doesn't need to access the primary memory (RAM).
 Thus, it speeds up the system performance.
CACHE MEMORY

 Cache memory is located in two general locations: inside the processor (internal cache)
and on the motherboard (external cache):
 Internal cache: also known as primary cache, internal cache is located inside the CPU
chip.
 External cache: also known as secondary cache, external cache is located on the
motherboard outside the CPU. This is the cache referred to on PC specifications.
 Cache is designated in three levels due to its level or proximity to the CPU.
 Level 1 (L1) cache: L1 cache is placed internally on the processor chip and is, of course,
the cache memory closest to the CPU.
 Level 2 (L2) cache: L2 cache, on older systems, is normally placed on the motherboard
close to the CPU. Manufacturers today have both L1 and L2 cache installed on the CPU.
 Level 3 (L3) cache: L3 cache on new systems relates to the cache on the motherboard.
COMPUTER MEMORY HIERARCHY

Register and Cache Cache (L2) Main Memory (RAM)

(L1)

Some modern computers have cache (L3) which is situated in between cache
(L2) and main memory (RAM).
PRIMARY MEMORY

 Primary Memory is of two types: RAM and ROM.

 RAM (Volatile Memory)
 It is a volatile memory.
 It means it does not store data or instructions permanently.
 When you switch on the computer the data and instructions from the hard disk are
stored in RAM.
 CPU utilizes this data to perform the required tasks.
 As soon as you shut down the computer the RAM loses all the data.
RAM
 RAM has the name random access because (in theory) it's just as quick for the
computer to read or write information from any one part of a RAM memory chip as
from any other.
 SRAM and DRAM are the modes of integrated circuit RAM.
 Dynamic RAM:
 Loses its stored information in a very short time (for milli sec.) even when power supply
is on.
 D-RAM’s are cheaper & slower.
 Similar to a microprocessor chip is an Integrated Circuit (IC) made of millions of
transistors and capacitors.
RAM
 In the most common form of computer memory, Dynamic Memory Cell, represents a
single bit of data. The capacitor holds the bit of information – a 0 or a 1.
 The transistor acts as a switch that lets the control circuitry on the memory chip read
the capacitor or change its state.
 A capacitor is like a small bucket that is able to store electrons. To store a 1 in the
memory cell, the bucket is filled with electrons.
 To store a 0, it is emptied.
 The problem with the capacitor’s bucket is that it has a leak. In a matter of a few
milliseconds a full bucket becomes empty.
RAM
 Therefore, for dynamic memory to work, either the CPU or the Memory Controller has
to come along and recharge all of the capacitors holding it before they discharge.
 To do this, the memory controller reads the memory and then writes it right back. This
refresh operation happens automatically thousands of times per second.
 This refresh operation is where dynamic RAM gets its name.
 Dynamic RAM has to be dynamically refreshed all of the time or it forgets what it is
holding.
 The downside of all of this refreshing is that it takes time and slows down the memory.
RAM - SRAM

 Static RAM uses a completely different technology.

 S-RAM retains stored information only as long as the power supply is on.
 Static RAM’s are more costly and consume more power.
 They have higher speed than D-RAMs.
 In static RAM, a form of flip-flop holds each bit of memory.
RAM - SRAM

 A flip-flop for a memory cell takes four or six transistors along with some wiring, but
never has to be refreshed.
 This makes static RAM significantly faster than dynamic RAM. However, because it has
more parts, a static memory cell takes up a lot more space on a chip than a dynamic
memory cell.
 Therefore, you get less memory per chip, and that makes static RAM a lot more
expensive.
 Static RAM is fast and expensive, and dynamic RAM is less expensive and slower.
RAM - ECC

 Error-correcting code (ECC) is a type of DRAM that has an additional cell to detect and
correct random faults.
 ECC memory is user-replaceable, but it needs to be compatible with the other
computer hardware.
SIMM VS DIMM

 SIMM stands for Single In-Line Memory Module

 Maximum of 32-bit channel for data transfer.
 More power consumption
 DIMM stands for Dual In-Line Memory Module
 64-bit channel for data transfer
 Less power consumption
 DIMM performs better than SIMM.
SDRAM

 SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory) was developed in response to

increased speed in other computer components.
 Previously, memory had to be asynchronous, that is, it operated independently of the
processor.
 Synchronous memory synchronizes the memory module's responses with the system
bus.
DATA RATES - DDR

 As other computer components increased their speed, memory speed also needed to
increase.
 Double data rate, or DDR, was developed, and the previous technology became known
as single data rate, or SDR.
 DDR was both faster and used less energy than SDR.
 The next generation of memory, DDR2, is faster and uses less energy than the original
DDR.
 DDR3 and DDR4 continued this trend. Each successive generation is faster and uses
less energy.
TYPE OF RAM?

 DDR
 While it is technically is obsolete now, but it is still readily available for users who want to
replace the damaged memory without changing their old motherboard.
 DDR2
 Is cheap, fast, and compatible with mainstream (normal) motherboards.
 DDR3
 Is suitable for users who aiming for cutting-edge (advanced) memory to suit their need.
 DDR4
 Faster performance but less power consumption compared to ddr3.
 Is compatible with selected processor.
PRIMARY MEMORY

 ROM (Non-volatile Memory)

 It is a non-volatile memory.
 It means it does not lose its data or programs that are written on it at the time of
manufacture.
 So it is a permanent memory that contains BIOS which is all important data and
instructions needed to perform important tasks like the boot process.
ROM

 The BIOS is the program that starts a computer up, and the CMOS is where the BIOS
stores the date, time, and system configuration details it needs to start the computer.
 CMOS is an on-board, battery powered semiconductor chip inside computers that
stores information.
 CMOS stores information needed by the BIOS. These are the settings where you
change by accessing a menu during boot-up.
CMOS BATTERY

 The CMOS is usually powered by a CR2032 cell battery, referred to as the CMOS
battery.
 Most CMOS batteries will last the lifetime of a motherboard, up to 10 years in most
cases, but will sometimes need to be replaced.
 Incorrect or slow system date and time and loss of BIOS settings are major signs of a
dead or dying CMOS battery. Replacing them is as easy as swapping out the dead one
for a new one.
ROM (BIOS) AND CMOS BATTERY
PROM

 Programmable Read Only Memory is an advanced form of ROM that will allow writing
data – but only once.
 Similar to a blank CD or DVD, PROM does not comes with data stored on the chip.
 But once you have written data to it, you cannot modify or delete that information
anymore.
 PROM has been replaced by other methods that involve more flexibility, such as
EPROM and EEPROM.
 An EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) is a special type of PROM that
can be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light.
 Once it is erased, it can be reprogrammed. An EEPROM is similar to a PROM, but
requires only electricity to be erased.
SECONDARY MEMORY

 The storage devices in the computer or connected to the computer are known as
secondary memory of the computer.
 It is non-volatile in nature so permanently stores the data even when the computer is
turned off.
 The CPU can't directly access the secondary memory.
 First the secondary memory data is transferred to primary memory then CPU can
access it.
 The hard disk, optical disk and pen drive are some of the popular examples of
secondary memory or storage of computer.
SECONDARY MEMORY

 Hard disk
 It is a magnetic disc that is used to store data.
 It permanently stores data and is located within a drive unit.
 It is fixed inside the system unit.
 Its storage capacity is very high that varies for example from 200 GB to 3 TB.
 A hard disc contains a number of metallic discs which are called platters.
 Information is recorded on the surface of the platters in a series of tracks.
 For the purpose of addressing information, the surface is considered to be divided into segments called
Sectors.
 This division helps in the proper organisation of data on the platter and helps in maximum utilisation of
the storage space.
HDD VS SSD

 Most people now buy laptops for their computing needs and have to make the decision
between getting either a Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD) as the
storage component.
 So which of the two is the better choice, an SSD or HDD? There’s no straight-forward
answer to this question; each buyer has different needs and you have to evaluate the
decision based on those needs, your preferences, and of course budget.
HDD VS SSD

 SSD can be thought of as an oversized and more sophisticated version of the USB
memory stick.
 Like a memory stick, there are no moving parts to an SSD. Rather, information is stored
in microchips.
 It instead relies on an embedded processor (or “brain”) called a controller to perform a
bunch of operations related to reading and writing data.
 Conversely, a hard disk drive uses a mechanical arm with a read/write head to move
around and read information from the right location on a storage platter.
 This difference is what makes SSD so much faster.
HDD VS SSD

 The major advantage of an HDD is that it is capable of storing lots of data cheaply.
 HDD has higher storage capacity: up to 10TB for desktop and 2 TB for Laptop WHERE
as SSD only has UP to 4 TB for DESKTOP and TYPICALLY NOT LARGER THAN 1 TB for
notebook.
 Has NOISE, VIBRATION and produce Heat due to MOVING PARTS in Hdd in order to
read/write data to platter
HDD VS SSD
SECONDARY MEMORY

 Optical disk
 It has a plastic coating.
 The data in optical disc is recorded digitally and the recorded data is read with laser
that scans its surface.
 For example: compact discs (CDs) and digital videodiscs (DVDs).
SECONDARY MEMORY

 Pen drive
 It is a compact secondary storage device. It is connected to a computer through a USB
port to store or retrieve data.
AUXILLARY STORAGE

 Auxiliary memory (also referred to as storage / secondary memory) is the non-volatile

memory lowest-cost, highest-capacity, and slowest-access storage in
a computer system.
 Auxiliary memory is not directly accessible by the CPU.
 Auxiliary memory holds data for future use, and that retains information even the
power fails.
SECONDARY MEMORY/ AUXILLIARY
MEMORY
MAGNETIC TAPES

 A magnetic tape, in computer terminology, is a storage medium that allows for data
archiving, collection, and backup.
 At first, the tapes were wound in wheel-like reels, but then cassettes and cartridges
came along, which offered more protection for the tape inside.
 One side of the tape is coated with a magnetic material.
 Data on the tape is written and read sequentially.
 Finding a specific record takes time because the machine has to read every record in
front of it.
 Most tapes are used for archival purposes, rather than ad-hoc writing/reading.
CHARACTERISTIC/ SPECIFICATION OF RAM

 1. Physical Size
 RAM modules vary in physical size based on the type of computer they're used for and
the number of pins on the module.
 Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs) with 168 pins are 5.25 inches long.
 DIMMs with less pins are typically smaller, with more pins meaning a physically larger
module.
 DIMMs are commonly used in desktop computers, whereas laptops typically use Small
Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (SODIMMs).
 SODIMMs use the same technology but they're physically smaller, allowing them to fit
in laptops.
CHARACTERISTIC/ SPECIFICATION OF RAM

 2. Amount
 Amount is commonly measured in gigabytes (GB), though older or low-end computers
may measure maximum RAM in megabytes (MB).
 A gigabyte contains roughly 1,000 megabytes, meaning the RAM is much faster.
 Be sure to consider how many memory slots your computer has, as well.
 Some computers have two slots to install memory, others have four and some have
even more.
CHARACTERISTIC/ SPECIFICATION OF RAM

 3. Type
 The memory type is important because this is where the majority of RAM's
compatibility issues lie.
 Multiple variations of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory technology are used in various
computers.
 DDR2 is faster than DDR memory, while DDR3 memory is faster than both.
 If your computer requires DDR3 memory, DDR2 memory won't work.
CHARACTERISTIC/ SPECIFICATION OF RAM

 4. Speed
 Memory speed is frequently denoted by "PC-" followed by a number that denotes the
peak transfer rate and bandwidth of that type of memory.
 For example, PC-2400's peak transfer rate is around 2,400 megabytes per second
(MB/s).
 The peak transfer rate basically denotes the best performance possible for that
memory.
 "PC2" and "PC3" simply refer to DDR2 and DDR3 memory, respectively.
 The specifications may list the memory under a name which looks something like
"DDR3-1066" .
 In this case, 1066 represents the data transfer rate in millions per second. All together,
the memory specification may read something like "2 GB PC3-6400 DDR3 SODIMM."
CHARACTERISTIC/ SPECIFICATION OF RAM

 4. Speed
 Memory speed is frequently denoted by "PC-" followed by a number that denotes the
peak transfer rate and bandwidth of that type of memory.
 For example, PC-2400's peak transfer rate is around 2,400 megabytes per second
(MB/s).
 The peak transfer rate basically denotes the best performance possible for that
memory.
 "PC2" and "PC3" simply refer to DDR2 and DDR3 memory, respectively.
 The specifications may list the memory under a name which looks something like
"DDR3-1066" .
 In this case, 1066 represents the data transfer rate in millions per second. All together,
the memory specification may read something like "2 GB PC3-6400 DDR3 SODIMM."
WONDER?
AUTORECOVERY IN MS WORD?

 How does it happens? Does it function like primary memory/ memory?

 Many of us tend to forget to save our work or something terrible happens and yet the
file we are working on is not saved.
 These are also the reason why the AutoSave feature exists.
 The AutoSave feature helps to recover your Office files. Such feature helps us avoid
data loss.
 The setting for AutoSave can be done as shown in the following picture.
AUTORECOVERY IN MS WORD?