SLO Title & Number : 2 – Computer
Memory and Storage Devices
• Number of Subtopics: 3
• Marks Weightage: 14%
• MCQ’s: 6
• CRQ’s: 6
• ERQ’s: None
By: Najeeb Ather
2.1 Introduction
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Location:
• Location of the memory device means whether the memory device is internal or
external to the computer.
• Internal means that the device is embedded in the computer.
• External means the device is separate from the system like storage disk or tapes.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Location:
• Internal memory devices are controlled by cache memory, registers and main
memory.
• External memory devices are controlled by input output controllers.
• Internal memory, also called "main or primary memory" refers to memory that stores
small amounts of data that can be accessed quickly while the computer is running.
External memory, also called "secondary memory" refers to a storage device that can
retain or store data persistently
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Capacity:
• The amount of data that a memory device can store is called its capacity.
• In internal memory devices it is usually measured in bytes while in external
devices it is measured in word or byte
• A word can have 8, 16, 32 bit in length.
• 8 bit = 1 byte, 16 bit = 2 bytes and 32 bit = 4 bytes.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Access Method:
• Access method means the method through which data can be read or written
to the device.
• a-Direct Access Method:
• In direct access method memory device can access direct data from
anywhere from the memory location. It means data can be access in any
order.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Examples of random access devices are:
• CD (Compact Disk)
• DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)
• RAM (Random Access Memory)
• Hard Disk
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• b-Sequential Access
• In sequential memory access the data
can only be access in a predetermined
sequence.
• Examples are:
• Audio, Video cassettes.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Performance:
• Performance of the memory device depends upon:
• Transfer Rate
• Transfer rate means the rate at which data can be transmitted into and out to the
memory.
• Memory Cycle Time
• The time required to access a block of memory and period to start a second access
• Access Time:
• It is the time taken by memory to complete the read/write operations.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Physical Characteristics:
• Memory devices can have characteristics of two types:
• Non-Volatile Memory Devices:
• These memory devices are those which can hold data in spite of power is turned off.
• Volatile memory Devices:
• These devices cannot hold data in case of power is turned off.
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2.1.1 Describe important characteristics of
Memory Devices
• Erasable Devices
• In erasable devices we can erase data and store it again
• Non-Erasable Devices
• These memory devices cannot erase data that is stored already.
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2.1.2 Convert Digital Unit from one to another
• Erasable Devices
• In erasable devices we can erase data and store it again
• Non-Erasable Devices
• These memory devices cannot erase data that is stored already.
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2.1.2 Convert Digital Unit from one to another
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2.2 Main Memory
• By Najeeb Ather
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2.2.1 Differentiate between primary memory
(main) and secondary memory
• A Primary memory is a memory of the computer which can be accessed directly by the
CPU.
• It comprises of DRAM and it holds the data and instructions that the processor is
currently working on.
• Example are: RAM, ROM, Cache, PROM, EPROM and Registers etc.
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2.2.1 Differentiate between primary memory
(main) and secondary memory
• A Secondary memory is a memory of the computer which cannot be accessed
directly by the CPU.
• Example are: Magnetic Tapes, Hard Disk, Floppy Disk etc.
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2.2.1 Differentiate between primary memory
(main) and secondary memory and Internal
Processor Memory
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
Primary memory is a temporary memory It is permanent memory
Directly accessible by the CPU Not directly accessible by the CPU
It is also called internal memory It is also called external or auxiliary
memory
Examples are: Ram, Rom, Prom, Eprom, Examples are: Hard disk, Floppy Disks
Register etc. etc.
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2.2.1 Differentiate between primary memory
(main) and secondary memory and Internal
Processor Memory
• Internal Processor memory is the type of memory which is directly
accessible by the processor.
• It means which doesn’t need input output channel to access it.
• It is also refer to as primary or main memory of the computer.
• It is used to hold instructions or data that is currently being executed.
• It is small in size and made of a semiconductor material.
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2.2.2 Difference Between RAM and ROM
Memory
RAM ROM
Random Access Memory Read Only Memory
EEPROM
DRAM SRAM PROM EPROM
Electrically Erasable
Dynamic Random Access Static Random Access Programmable Read Only Erasable Programmable
Programmable Read Only
Memory Memory Memory Read Only Memory
Memory
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2.2.2 Difference Between RAM and ROM
RAM ROM
Ram stands for Random Access Rom stands for Read only memory
Memory
Ram is volatile memory Rom is non-volatile memory
It stores instruction and data temporary It stores data and instructions
permanently
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2.2.3 Compare the two types of RAM
SRAM & DRAM
SRAM DRAM
SRAM is an on chip memory which has DRAM is an off-chip memory which
less access time access time is larger
SRAM is faster than DRAM DRAM is slower than SRAM
SRAM is available in smaller size It is available in larger sizes
It uses transistor to store data It uses capacitor to store data
It needs periodic refreshment to It does not needs periodic refreshment
maintain data to maintain data
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2.2.4 Compare three types of ROM
PROM, EPROM and EEPROM
PROM EPROM EEPROM
PROM is a programmable It is an Erasable It is an electrically erasable
read only memory programmable read only and programmable
memory memory
It can be written only once It can be written many Can be reprogrammed
times using electrical charge
The contents of the The contents of the
memory can be erased memory can be erased
using ULTRAVOLET using ELECTRICAL CHARGE
It retains its data when It retains its data when It retains its data when
power off power off power off
It needs periodic It does not needs periodic
refreshment to maintain refreshment to maintain
By:data
Najeeb Ather data
2.2.5 Describe the Role of Basic Input Output
System (BIOS) in Boot-Up Process
• BIOS stands for basic input output system.
• Every computer motherboard has a special type of chip called BIOS.
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2.2.5 Describe the Role of Basic Input Output
System (BIOS) in Boot-Up Process
• BIOS has the instructions how to load hardware
• BIOS also check the status of all the peripheral devices (devices which then
attached to the computer enhanced the functionally, e.g. mouse, keyboard,
webcam etc.) attached to the computer
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2.2.5 Describe the Role of Basic Input Output
System (BIOS) in Boot-Up Process
• BIOS also perform POST test (Power on self test)
• In POST TEST, it performs built in instructions in sequence, it checks the
memory, input/output devices and their status either they are attached properly
and working properly or not
• BIOS main function is to load the operating system into memory
• It has also a configuration program name as: CMOS
• CMOS configure computer password, date and time settings
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2.2.6 Compare the Three Types of Cache
Memory(L1, L2 and L3)
• Cache Memory is high-speed memory which is used to synchronize with
high-speed CPU and improve its performance.
• It is small in size but it is very fast
• It holds data and instruction.
• It stores temporarily frequently used instructions and data
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2.2.6 Compare the Three Types of Cache
Memory(L1, L2 and L3)
• L1 cache memory is the fastest memory.
• Every CPU have L1 memory inside
• Every CPU has a brain which is called a CORE. It is used to receive instructions
and perform calculations.
• A CPU can have multiple core.
• Each core have its own L1 cache.
• A CPU processor with two core is called a dual core, with four core it is called a
quad-core, six core is called hexa-core and so on.
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2.2.6 Compare the Three Types of Cache
Memory(L1, L2 and L3)
• Size of memory is between 2kb to 64kb
• As it is present inside the CPU itself so that it can work as same speed as the
CPU
• L1 is the fastest memory
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2.2.6 Compare the Three Types of Cache
Memory(L1, L2 and L3)
• A level 2 cache also called L2 is the slowest memory than L1 but fastest than L3
• It is located outside the microprocessor but reside on the same chip of CPU
• It is also called secondary cache or external cache
• It has size between 256kb to 512kb
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2.2.6 Compare the Three Types of Cache
Memory(L1, L2 and L3)
• L3 cache is largest but a slow cache memory than L1 and L2.
• Its size up to 1Mb to 8Mb
• Although it is slower than L1 and L2 but it is faster than RAM (Random Access
Memory)
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2.3 Secondary Memory
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2.3.1 Compare Magnetic, Optical and Solid
State Storage Devices
• Magnetic devices store data by
magnetizing particles on disk or tape
• Magnetic devices are components for
creating, manipulating or detecting
magnetic fields.
• For example: Magnetic Tape, Floppy
Disks and Hard Disk Drives.
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2.3.1 Compare Magnetic, Optical and Solid
State Storage Devices
• Optical devices are those devices in which
data can be read and written with laser.
• Optical storage devices save data as pattern of
dots that can be read with light.
• Examples of optical devices are: CD, DVD, Blue
Ray etc.
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2.3.1 Compare Magnetic, Optical and Solid
State Storage Devices
• Solid state devices are electrical devices in
which electricity flows through solid
semi-conductor e.g. silicon, gallium arsenide
and germanium.
• Solid state devices do not have any moving
parts so that they are more reliable.
• Examples of solid state devices are: USB
memory stick, Memory Cards, Smart Cards
etc.
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2.3.2 Describe Magnetic Storage and its
Types, i.e. Magnetic Tapes and Disks
• As we know that, Magnetic devices store
data by magnetizing particles on disk or
tape. It stores data in a non-volatile
memory.
• The information can be accessed using
one or more read/write head.
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2.3.2 Describe Magnetic Storage and its
Types, i.e. Magnetic Tapes and Disks
• Magnetic Tapes:
• It is also a magnetic storage medium.
• It made of a thin, magnetize coating on a
long narrow strip of plastic film.
• It is serial access device.
• Can store large amount of data up to 1
terabyte.
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2.3.2 Describe Magnetic Storage and its
Types, i.e. Magnetic Tapes and Disks
• Hard Disk:
• Hard disk or hard drive is a magnetic
storage medium for a computer.
• It is located in drive unit.
• It contains platters and magnetic disks
rotate at high speed.
• It is a non-volatile storage device.
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2.3.2 Describe Magnetic Storage and its
Types, i.e. Magnetic Tapes and Disks
• It can store huge amount of data in
Terabytes (Trillion of bytes).
• It can be fixed and portable
• It is direct access device.
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2.3.2 Describe Magnetic Storage and its
Types, i.e. Magnetic Tapes and Disks
• Floppy Disk:
• Floppy disk is a thin and flexible disk
• It is only 1.44 MB capacity in 1986.
• It has 3.5 inches in size
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Secondary Storage Devices
Secondary
Storage Devices
Sequential Direct Access
Access Devices Devices
Magnetic Tape Magnetic Disk Optical Disk
CD Rom CD RW CD R DVD
Floppy Disk Hard Disk
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2.3.3 Types of Optical Storage Media ----
Compact Disk (CD)
• CD stands for compact disk.
• CD thickness is about 1.22mm.
• CD or CD-ROM is a compact disk that can
store data within range of 700 MB. It is read
only device means that the data stored in it
cannot be edit, modified or erased.
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2.3.3 Types of Optical Storage Media ----
Digital Versatile Disks (DVD)
• DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disk.
• It can store data from the range between 4.7 GB
to 17 GB.
• DVD thickness is 0.6 mm.
• The companies like Phillips, Toshiba, Sony and
Panasonic developed them.
• It have slower data transfer speed as compare to
Blu Ray like 54 Mbps.
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2.3.3 Types of Optical Storage Media ----
Digital Versatile Disks (DVD)
• It can be single sided, single layer with storage
capacity of 4.7 GB.
• It can be single sided, double layer with storage
capacity of 8.5 to 8.7 GB
• It can be double sided single layer with storage
capacity of 9.4 GB.
• Double sided double layer with storage capacity of
17.08 GB.
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2.3.3 Types of Optical Storage Media ----
Blu-Ray
• Blu Ray also available in single and double layer.
• Single layer can have capacity up to 25 GB.
• Double layer can have capacity up to 50 GB.
• It is higher data transfer speed than the ordinary
DVD like 10.08 Mbps.
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2.3.4 Identify (CD-ROM)
• It stands for Compact Disk Read Only Memory.
• CD-ROMS are the disks which have already data
and it cannot be erased or rewritten or edit.
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2.3.4 Identify (CD-R)
• It stands for Compact Disk Recordable. It
means data can be store only once but
can be read many times.
• It can only be write once.
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2.3.4 Identify (CD-RW)
• It stands for Compact Disk Rewriteable.
It means data can be store, read and
re-written.
• CD-RW cannot be read in many CD
readers in computer. It has special CD
Readers to read and write CD-RW.
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2.3.4 Identify (DVD-ROM)
• It stands for Digital Versatile Disk Read Only
Memory.
• A DVD-ROM store permanent data which
cannot be changed.
• It has larger capacity as compare to CD-ROM
to store data.
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2.3.4 Identify (DVD-R)
• It stands for Digital Video Disk Recordable.
• It can only record/write once.
• Writing a data on a disk is called burn data.
• After that it will remains permanent on the disk.
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2.3.4 Identify (DVD-RW)
• It stands for Digital Video Disk
Rewriteable.
• The data can be read and write it again
• it can be written about 1000 times
before needing replacement.
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2.3.4 Identify (DVD-RAM)
• It stands for digital versatile disk random access
memory.
• It is removable and rewriteable.
• Data can be written on this device 100,000
times.
• It was presented in 1996.
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2.3.5 Describe Solid State Storage Devices,
Flash Memory and Secure Digital (SD) Cards
• Solid State Storage devices are those
devices which are non-volatile devices
and they can store and retrieves
information using only electronic
circuits without involvement of moving
mechanical parts.
• Examples are : USB pen drives, SD Cards,
Micro SD Cards. Etc.
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2.3.5 Describe Solid State Storage Devices,
Flash Memory and Secure Digital (SD) Cards
• USB Pen Drive:
• USB Pen drive includes a flash memory
and an integrated universal serial bus
(USB) interface.
• They are removable and rewriteable.
• It is used as mobile USB storage device.
• They are small, durable and reliable.
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2.3.5 Describe Solid State Storage Devices,
Flash Memory and Secure Digital (SD) Cards
• SD Cards:
• it is a type of memory card which is
typically used in digital cameras and
other portable devices.
• It is developed by SD Association (SDA).
It was introduced in 1999.
• They used in video game consoles,
digital cameras and Blu-ray players.
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2.3.6 Differentiate Between Sequential and
Direct Access Storage
Sequential Access Direct Access
• In sequential Access data is accessed • In Direct Access data is accessed from
in a sequence. anywhere.
• It means in this method device can • It means that data can be accessed
read or write data in some predefined from anywhere.
order.
• Example is solid-state drives, hard disk.
• Example is Tape Drive, where device
must move the tape’s ribbon forward
or backward to read the desired
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location information.
