How does computer memory works and why use different types?

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I know computer has different types of memory, like RAM, ROM etc. Why use different types of memory in the computer?

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Answered By 40 points N/A #126570

How does computer memory works and why use different types?

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Hi there,

Your computer has actually 3 types of memory, RAM, ROM and mass storage. I will explain it one by one.

RAM (Random access Memory)

It's a volatile memory, that means it requires power to maintain its memory, when the power goes off, proof the memory goes to empty. Its purpose is like a virtual work area. Your computer has a processor right, That processor works like a brain it gets input, decode it into machine language, executes it and gives the output,

Here first the data to be processed is got by the processor through RAM, it executes and places the output also in RAM then only it passes to output devices, It acts like a temporary memory, but Vital memory where current going works are done or LIVE memory.

ROM (Read only memory)

ROM actually stores the firmware, that is the basic software that runs the basic hardware components. You know every hardware requires a software to run, That basic hardware software is called firmware, and that stuff is stored in the ROM chips. They are usually predefined chips, and we can't actually have access to it. Its purpose is just running, no editing takes place in that. It just executes the program written in it or instructions provided.

Mass storage

You can store your music, videos, software, games and all in RAM or ROM, cause RAM is limited and also is volatile, whereas ROM is just for reading and no writing, SO where will you store such information of yours, the answer is in mass storage.

Eg of mass storage are hard drives, DVD drives , Pen drives , memory cards etc.

It has a huge volume of memory, currently we have HDD of 5 TB memory for personal use. pheww that's a huge amount.

We have SSD also right now, Solid state drives, which have no moving parts, but chips, which is more silent, more efficient and much faster and also much costlier than current hard drives.

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Answered By 75 points N/A #126571

How does computer memory works and why use different types?

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You want to know about Computer Memory?

MEMORY

Internal storage areas in the computer The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory, which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data. Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.

Every computer comes with a certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as main memory or RAM. You can think of main memory as an array of boxes, each of which can hold a single byte of information. A computer that has 1 megabyte of memory, therefore, can hold about 1 million bytes (or characters) of information. 

Internal storage areas in the computer
Memory Terminology
Memory speed – measured in nanoseconds, this is the time to access data that is stored in memory the lower the nanoseconds the faster the memory (2ns-80ns). 
Parity – A simple error checking method use in memory correction. 
ECC-Error correction code use in memory correction for newer computers. 
Memory Banks – A socket where memory is installed Example 4 banks will have 8 MB of memory each for a total of 32 MB
There are several different types of memory: 
There are several different types of memory:
 

    
ROM or Read Only Memory, Computers almost always contain a small amount of read-only memory that holds instructions for starting up the computer. Unlike RAM, ROM cannot be written to. It is non-volatile which means once you turn off the computer the information is still there.
 
Acronym for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory

      
PROM, short for programmable read-only memory A PROM is a memory chip on which data can be written only once. Once a program has been written onto a PROM, it remains there forever. Unlike RAM, PROM's retain their contents when the computer is turned off.
The difference between a PROM and a ROM (read-only memory) is that a PROM is manufactured as blank memory, whereas a ROM is programmed during the manufacturing process. To write data onto a PROM chip, you need a special device called a PROM programmer or PROM burner. The process of programming a PROM is sometimes called burning the PROM.
 
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. EEPROM- Acronym for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. Pronounced double-ee-prom or e-e-prom, an EEPROM is a special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge.
 
Like other types of PROM, EEPROM retains its contents even when the power is turned off. Also like other types of ROM, EEPROM is not as fast as RAM. EEPROM is similar to flash memory (sometimes called flash EEPROM). The principal difference is that EEPROM requires data to be written or erased one byte at a time whereas flash memory allows data to be written or erased in blocks. This makes flash memory faster. 
 
RAM (Random Access Memory) is a temporary (Volatile) storage area utilized by the CPU. Before a program can be ran the program is loaded into the memory which allows the CPU direct access to the program.
 
2 Types of RAM 
SRAM Short for static random access memory, and pronounced ess-ram. SRAM is a type of memory that is faster and more reliable than the more common DRAM (dynamic RAM). The term static is derived from the fact that it doesn't need to be refreshed like dynamic RAM.
SRAM is often used only as a memory cache usually found in the CPU (L1, L2 and L3 Cache)
DRAM stands for dynamic random access memory, a type of memory used in most personal computers. Types of DRAM
 
Packages and DRAM Memory 
LAPTOP MEMORY 
SO-DIMM Short for Small Outline DIMM, a small version of a DIMM used commonly in notebook computers. 72 supports 32bit and 144 and 200 SO-DIMM pins supports a full 64-bit transfer. 
 
Micro-DIMM Short for Micro Dual Inline Memory Module, a competing memory used on laptops, mostly supports 144 and 172 pins. 
SIMM Acronym for single in-line memory module, a small circuit board that can hold a group of memory chips. Typically, SIMM's holds up 8 (on Macintoshes) or 9 (on PCs) RAM chips. On PCs, the ninth chip is often used for parity error checking. Unlike memory chips, SIMM's is measured in bytes rather than bits. SIMM's is easier to install than individual memory chips. A SIMM is either 30 or 72 pins. 
 
FPM RAM Short for Fast Page Mode RAM, a type of Dynamic RAM (DRAM) that allows faster access to data in the same row or page. Page-mode memory works by eliminating the need for a row address if data is located in the row previously accessed. It is sometimes called page mode memory. 
 
EDO DRAM Short for Extended Data Output Dynamic Random Access Memory, a type of DRAM that is faster than conventional DRAM. Unlike conventional DRAM which can only access one block of data at a time, EDO RAM can start fetching the next block of memory at the same time that it sends the previous block to the CPU. 
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Answered By 0 points N/A #126572

How does computer memory works and why use different types?

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Dear Mita0611,

Computer use generally two types of memory. One is Read-only memory (ROM) and another is Random Access Memory (RAM). Computer use two types of memory to perform a specific task.RAM can use for both read write operation and also it’s a volatile storage. On the other hand ROM used for only read operations.

Read-only memory and another is Random Access Memory

Thanks and Regards,

Louis

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