The system memory is the place where the computer
holds current programs and data that are in use.
Types of computer memory
Primary Memory
Secondary Memory
Virtual Memory MEMORY CLASSIFICATIONS 3 TYPES OF MEMORY 4
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
RAM 5
A collection of memory chips - functions as primary workspace.
RAM is a read/write memory which stores data temporarily.
Data gets erased when the machine is turned off
Features 6
All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off
Described as being ”Volatile“ It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order Features… 7
RAM typically resides on Memory Modules
A RAM Memory chip is an IC made of millions of Transistors and
Capacitors
Types of RAM DRAM SRAM
Virtual Memory - An extension of RAM on hard drive
TYPES OF RAM 8
Static RAM (SRAM)
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Static RAM (SRAM) 9
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is a type of
semiconductor memory.
SRAM is used only where access speed is extremely
important.
The word "static" indicates that the memory retains its
contents as long as power is continuously applied. Static RAM (SRAM).. 10
Very fast but more expensive
Used as cache memory due to its speed
Cache Memory stores frequently used data and
instructions
Constant power should be applied
Servers and workstations can have at least 2MB of
L2 or L3 cache. Levels of Caches 11
Level 1 Cache - (8KB to 128KB)
Level 2 Cache - (64KB to 4MB)
Level 3 Cache is separate from the microprocessor chip
and is on the motherboard.
L3 Cache exists only on computers that use the L2
Advanced Transfer Cache. Dynamic RAM(DRAM) 12
This type of memory is dynamic because its storage
cells must be refreshed, i.e. receive a new electronic charge every few milliseconds in order for the memory state to be maintained.
It is a type of random access memory that stores each
bit of data in a separate capacitor. Dynamic RAM(DRAM).. 13
Since capacitors leak charge, the data fades unless the
capacitor charge is refreshed periodically. Only one transistor and a capacitor are required per bit, compared to four or six transistors in SRAM. Contents are constantly refreshed 1000 times per second Access time 60 – 70 nanoseconds
Note: a nanosecond is one billionth of a second!
Dynamic RAM(DRAM)… 14
Stores 1’s and 0’s on capacitors
Must be recharged every millisecond, or every one thousandth of a second The standard refresh time is 15ms. Most RAM must be recharged constantly Types of SDRAM 15
DDR1 DDR2 DDR3 DDR4
DDR4 currently being designed and anticipated to be
available in 2015. DDR SDRAM 16
Double-Data-Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random
Access Memory
It is designed to double the clock speed of the memory.
It achieves greater bandwidth by transferring data on
both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. DDR SDRAM DIMMs has 184 pins
DDR operates at a voltage of 2.5V, compared to 3.3V
for SDRAM. DDR2 SDRAM 17 DDR3 SDRAM 18
DDR3 is the latest memory standard.
DDR3 memory runs on only 1.5V, which is nearly 20% less than the 1.8V that DDR2 memory uses. 240-pin DDR3 modules are similar in pin count, size, and shape to the DDR2 modules. DDR3 modules are incompatible with the DDR2 are designed with different keying structure. DDR3 continues the trend, doubling the minimum read or write unit to 8 consecutive words. DDR4 SDRAM 19
DDR4 SDRAM will be the successor to DDR3
SDRAM.
Expected to be released in 2015.
The new chips are expected to run at 1.2 v or less.
Data can be hold Permanently or semi-permanently.
It is called read-only.
ROM is non-volatile.
Up to 128KB in size
Virtually all systems the ROMs are shadowed.
Motherboard ROM-BIOS: Contains the startup programs and
drivers and act as the interface to the basic hardware in the system. Motherboard ROM-BIOS 27 Contents of ROM 28
POST
BIOS
CMOS Setup
BSL Contents of ROM.. 29
POST –Power-On Self-Test
Tests complete computer’s hardware POST Phases Phase I Processor, memory, chipset, video adapter
Phase II Disk controllers, Disk drives, Keyboard, and other crucial components. Contents of ROM… 30
BIOS – Basic Input Output System
Contains the collection of actual drivers Act as a basic interface between the OS and your hardware when the system is booted and running. CMOS Setup – Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor A menu driven program. Enables you to configure the motherboard and chipset settings Date and time, Passwords Disk drives Other basic system settings Contents of ROM…. 31
BSL - Boot Strap Loader
A routine that reads the first physical sector of various disk drives. First sector - Master Boot Record [MBR] MBR contains VBR . VBR loads the first OS startup file IO.SYS for Windows 9x/Me ntldr for Windows XP/2000/NT bootmgr for Windows 7/Vista/8/2008/2012 ROM Chip Types 32
ROM—Read-only memory
PROM—Programmable ROM
EPROM—Erasable PROM
EEPROM—Electrically erasable PROM(flash ROM)
PROM 33
PROMs are a type of ROM
Blank when new Must be programmed with whatever data you want. Programmed by manufacturers. Uses special machine called a device programmer, ROM programmer, or ROM burner. They are technically preloaded with binary 1’s. Available in sizes from 1KB (8Kb) to 2MB (16Mb) or more. One-Time Programmable (OTP) chips. EPROM 34
An Erasable ROM.
Easily recognized by the Clear Quartz Crystal Window set
in the chip package directly over the die. The purpose of the window is to allow Ultraviolet Light
EPROM is erased by exposure to intense UV light.
The UV light causes a chemical reaction, which essentially
melts the fuses back together. Crystal window is typically covered by tape, which prevents accidental exposure to UV light. EEPROM/Flash ROM 35
Electrically Erasable PROM.
Can be erased and reprogrammed directly in the circuit board
they are installed in. No special equipment required.
Can be erased without removing the chip.
No need a U.V eraser or device programmer.
Advantage we can upgrade the motherboard ROM.
Download the updated ROM from the motherboard
manufacturer’s Website. ROM BIOS Manufacturers 36
American Megatrends Inc.(AMI)
Phoenix Technologies, and Award Software
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
Virtual Memory 37
• Uses backing storage to store programs and data
temporarily. • Used where insufficient RAM available.
• Swaps programs and data between the hard-disk and
RAM. • Speed: CPU can access RAM in nanoseconds but hard-disk in milliseconds. • Virtual memory is much slower than RAM. 38
