Chapter 3: Memory and
Processors
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Memory
Memory can be accessed faster than secondary storage.
Memory is used to store instructions so that the processor can fetch the
instructions quickly in order to process them.
Three types of memory
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Read Only Memory
• Flash Memory
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Ramdom Access Memory (RAM)
• Software is loaded into RAM from a computer’s secondary storage.
• The processor fetches software instructions from memory and
executes them.
• RAM is volatile, meaning that data is lost when the power is turned
off
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Ramdom Access Memory (RAM)
• When the computer system does not have
enough space in RAM, the operating system
creates virtual memory by using an area of
secondary storage.
• Secondary storage is much slower than RAM.
• A user can increase the amount of RAM using
RAM slots on a motherboard.
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ROM stores data permanently.
ROM is non-volatile, meaning that data is not
lost when the power is turned off.
Read Only
ROM cannot be changed after manufacture.
Memory
(ROM) PROM stands for Programmable Read Only
Memory.
PROM is manufactured with the ability to be
written to, but it can only be written to once.
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EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory)
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory).
Types of
ROM The contents of EPROM and EEPROM can be
erased and then rewritten to.
The process of erasing and rewriting the
contents of EPROM or EEPROM is used when
updating the firmware for a device.
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Differences between RAM and ROM
RAM ROM (all types)
Store data when No (Volatile) Yes (Non-volatile)
power off?
Can swap instruction Yes No
in and out?
Accessible in any Yes Yes
order?
Intended to store Temporary data Permanent data
Can be upgraded? Yes No
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Flash memory
• Flash memory is a type of EEPROM.
• It is non-volatile.
• It does not have any moving parts.
• It has a fast access time and low power
consumption.
• Because of its low power consumption, flash
memory is used in the SSD.
• Flash memory is used as removable storage in USB
drives and SD cards.
Processors
• A processor is made up of one or more Central
Processing Units (CPUs).
• These carry out software instructions.
• Each CPU is referred to as a core
• Processor speed is measured in clock cycles
per second.
• This is the number of times per second the
processor can carry out one or more
instructions.
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Measuring clock cycles
Name Abbreviation Clock cycles per
second
Hertz Hz 1
Kilohertz kHz 1000
Megahertz MHz 1,000,000
Gigahertz GHz 1,000,000,000
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