Memory Unit

What is the Memory Unit?

i. The memory unit is part of the computer that holds data and instructions for
processing.

ii. It may also be defined as the storage space in the computer where data to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

Although closely associated with the central processing unit, the memory unit is
separated from it.

Types of Memories in Computer

Memory is of two types:

i.Primary memory/main memory/internal memory

ii.Secondary memory/auxiliary memory/external memory

Primary Memory:

The primary memory is the memory that can be directly accessed by the CPU, the
CPU constantly interact with it, reads instructions stored there and executes them as
required.

Types of Primary memory

There are two types of primary memory:

i. RAM

ii. ROM

RAM (Radom Access Memory):

Random access memory also called the Read/Write memory, is the temporary memory
of a computer. It is said to be ‘volatile’ since its contents are accessible only as long as
the computer is on. The contents of RAM are cleared once the computer is turned off
or if there is a power cut.

Types of RAM
1. Dynamic RAM: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is a type of physical memory used in
most personal computers. The term dynamic indicates that the memory must be
constantly refreshed (reenergized) or it will lose its contents.

2. Static RAM: Static RAM (SRAM) is a type of RAM that holds its data without
external refresh, for as long as power is supplied to the circuit. This is contrasted to
dynamic RAM (DRAM), which must be refreshed many times per second to hold its
data contents

ROM (Read Only Memory)

Read Only Memory is a special type of memory which can only be read and the
contents of which are not lost even when the computer is switched off or if there is a
power cut. It typically contains the manufacturer’s instructions.

Types of ROM

i. Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM): This type of ROM can be re-

programmed by using a special device called a PROM programmer. Generally, a
PROM can only be changed/updated once.

ii. Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM): This type of ROM can
have its contents erased by ultraviolet light and then reprogrammed by a PROM
programmer. This procedure can be carried out many times; however, the constant
erasing and rewriting will eventually render the chip useless.

iii. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM): These are

also erasable like EPROM, but the same work of erasing is performed with electric
current. Thus, it provides the ease of erasing it even if the memory is positioned in the
computer. It stores the computer system’s BIOS. Unlike EPROM, the entire chip does
not have to be erased for changing some portion of it. Thus, it even gets rid of some
biggest challenges faced by using EPROMs.

Differences between RAM and ROM

RAM ROM

It is volatile (It loses data when power is turned off) It is non-volatile (retains data even
when power is off)
Data in RAM can be changed or deleted ROM is fixed or data cannot be modified.

RAM chip are bigger in size ROM chip are smaller in size

RAM chips are relatively expensive ROM chips are relatively less expensive RAM

stores all the applications and data when the computer is running
ROM usually stores instructions that are required for booting the computer

Secondary Memory

This type of memory is a non-volatile memory. It is slower than the main memory.
These are used for storing data/Information permanently. CPU directly does not
access these memories instead they are accessed via input-output routines. Contents
of secondary memories are first transferred to the main memory, and then the CPU
can access it.

Types of Secondary Memory

Secondary memory can be of the following types:

Magnetic: Data and information are stored and retrieved using magnetism Examples

Magnetic disk

Magnetic tape

Hard disk

floppy disks

Optical: Optical storage devices employ light (laser beams) to store and retrieve data
and information

Examples

CD

VC

DV

D
Electronic: This holds data and information in the form of electric voltage Example

Flash Memory

Others include Punch card

Secondary Storage Devices

1. Floppy Diskette

There are two standard sizes used these days which are 5 □((1 )/4) inches and 3 □(1/2)
inches, in size, commonly referred to as the mini-floppy and microfloppy. The capacity
of 5 □((1 )/4) inches floppy is 1.2 MB and that of 3
□(1/2) inches is 1.44 MB.

2. CD-ROM drives

They are of three types

a. CD-ROM

CD-ROM stands for (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and it is mainly used to
mass produce audio CDs and computer games. Computer users can only read data
and music from the discs, but they cannot burn their information onto the discs, from
their personal computers.

b. CD-R

CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) also known as WORM (Write Once Read Many) is
a blank disc that users can put into a CD-ROM drive to burn or make a copy of their
personal data, music, videos and information. CD-Recordable discs are designed for
one-time recording only.

3. CD-RW

The CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) can be erased and returned to its original
blank state. New files can then be copied onto the rewritable disk. CD-RW never
became as popular as the CD-R because they are not compatible with most disc
players to listen to music. They are primarily used to move data from one computer to
another or to copy files that are only needed a few times.

3. DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)

DVD is very similar to a CD but it has a much larger capacity. A standard DVD can
hold 4.7 GB of data. DVDs are of the same types as CDs along with different
formats as explained about CDs.

4. Combo Drives

These drives combine the function of a DVD drive and a CD-RW drive.

5. Hard disk: Largest in capacity

Differences between Primary and Secondary Memory Primary

Memory Secondary Memory

These devices are temporary (Volatile) These devices are permanent (Non-
volatile)

These devices are expensive These devices are cheaper

They have less storage capacity They have storage capacities

They are usually faster They are slower

Directly accessed by the CPU Not directly accessed by the CPU Internal

memory External Memory

Units of Storage in Computer

i. Bit (b): Bits is an acronym that stands for Binary digITS. It is the Smallest Unit of
data on a binary computer. A single bit consists of 0 (zero) or 1 (one).

ii. Nibble (nybble, nyble, or nybl): A nibble is a collection of four bits.

iii. Bytes (B): A byte consists of eight bits. It is the smallest item that can be
individually accessed by a program. It is the fundamental unit of storage on a binary
computer.

iv. Word: A word is a collection 32 bits.

v. Kilobyte (KB): A Kilobyte consists of 210 (1,024) Bytes which is

approximately 1000 Bytes.

vi. Megabyte (MB): One Megabyte consists of 220 (1,048,576) Bytes.

vii. Gigabyte (GB): A Gigabyte is a collection of 230 (1,073,741,824) Bytes.

viii. Terabyte (TB): A Terabyte consists of 240 (1,099,511,627,776) Bytes.

ix. Petabyte (PB): A Petabyte consists of 250 (1,125,899,906,842,624) Bytes.

x. Exabyte (EB): An Exabyte consists of 260 (1,152,921,504,606,846,976) Bytes.

xi. Zettabyte (ZB): A Zettabyte consists of 270

(1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424) Bytes.

xii. Yottabyte (YB): A Yottabyte consists of 280

(1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176) Bytes.

Conversion from one Unit to another

The conversion process from one unit to another can be done using the following
relationships.

1 bit = 0 or 1

1 nibble = 4 bits

1 bytes = 8 bits

1 word = 16 bits

1 KB = 1024 bytes

1 MB = 1024 KB

1 GB = 1024 MB

1 TB = 1024 GB

1 PB = 1024 TB

1 EB = 1024 PB

1ZB = 1024 EB

1 YB = 1024 ZB
Example 1

Convert 1208bits to byte Solution

We are required to convert 1204 bits to byte Let the

unknown byte be x

It implies that;

1208bits = xbyte

The relationship between bits and byte is 8bits = 1

byte

Cross multiplying we have

xbyte × 8bits = 1208bits × 1byte

Divide both sides by the coefficient of the unknown unit of storage which is the 8bits

(xbyte × 8bits)/(8bits) = (1208bits × 1byte)/(8bits) xbyte =

(1208 byte)/8

xbyte = 151bytes

Therefore 1208bits = 151bytes

Example 2

Convert 330KB to byte

Solution

We are required to convert 330KB to byte Let

the unknown byte be x

It implies that;

330KB = xbyte
The relationship between kb and byte is 1KB =

1024byte

Cross multiplying we have

xbyte × 1KB = 330KB × 1024byte

Divide both sides by the coefficient of the unknown unit of storage which is the 1 kb

(xbyte × 1KB)/(1KB) = (330KB × 1024byte)/(1KB)

xbyte = 330 × 1024bytes

xbyte = 337920bytes

Therefore 330kb = 337920bytes

Example 3

Convert 14200 KB to MB

Solution

We are required to convert 14200 to kilobyte Let

the unknown kilobyte be x

It implies that;

14200KB =
xMB

The relationship between KB and MB is

1024KB = 1MB

Cross multiplying we have

xMB × 1024KB = 14200KB × 1MB

Divide both sides by the coefficient of the unknown unit of storage which is the 1024
byte

(xMB × 1024KB)/(1024KB) = (14200KB × 1MB)/(1024KB)

xMB = (14200 × 1MB)/1024

xKB = 13.87MB

Therefore 1420KB =13.87MB

Example 4

Convert 1.44 MB to Byte (B)

Solution

We are required to convert 1.44MB to B

Let the unknown B be x

It implies that;

1.44MB = xB

The relationship between MB and B is

1MB = 1024 × 1024B

1MB = 1048576B

Cross multiplying we have

xB × 1MB = 1.44MB × 1048576B

Divide both sides by the coefficient of the unknown unit of storage which is the 1MB

(xB × 1MB)/(1MB) = (1.44MB ×

1048576B)/(1MB) xB = (1.44 × 1048576B)/1

x B=1509949.44B

Therefore 1.44MB = 1509949.44B

Example 5

Two storage devices have capacities of 2KB and 2MB respectively:

i. Calculate the number of bits each can hold

ii. putting the two storage together, calculate the total capacity in bytes Solution

2 KB to bits

Let the unknown bits be x

2KB = xbits

but 1KB = 8 × 1024bits

1KB = 8192bits

cross multiply

xbits × 1KB = 2KB × 8192bits

Divide both sides by 1 kb

(xbits × 1KB)/(1KB) = (2KB × 8102bits)/(1KB)

xbits = 16384bits

2KB = 16384bits

2 MB to bits

Let the unknown bits be y

2MB = ybits

but 1MB = 8 × 1024 × 1024bits

1MB = 8388608bits

cross multiply

ybits × 1MB =2MB × 8388608bits

Divide both sides by 1MB

(ybits × 1MB)/(1MB) = (2MB × 8388608bits)/(1MB)

ybits=16777216bits
2MB = 16777216bits

ii. Putting the two storages together (16384

+ 16777216)bits= 16793600bits Next is to

convert 16793600bits to bytes Let the

unknown bytes be z 16793600bits = zbytes

but 8bits = 1bytes

cross multiply

zbytes × 8bits = 16793600bits × 1bytes

Divide both sides by 8 bytes

(z bytes × 8 bits)/(8 bits) =(16793600 bits× 1 bytes)/(8bits) z

bytes=2099200 bytes

Therefore the two storage capacity in bytes is 2099200 bytes