Classification of Memory
Classification of Memory
Classification of Memory
Features of Memory
Following are the different features of the memory system that includes:
Classification of Memory
The following figure represents the classification of memory:
o SRAM
o DRAM
DRAM: DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) is a type of RAM that is used for
the dynamic storage of data in RAM. In DRAM, each cell carries one-bit information.
The cell is made up of two parts: a capacitor and a transistor. The size of the capacitor
and the transistor is so small, requiring millions of them to store on a single chip. Hence,
a DRAM chip can hold more data than an SRAM chip of the same size. However, the
capacitor needs to be continuously refreshed to retain information because DRAM is
volatile. If the power is switched off, the data store in memory is lost.
Characteristics of DRAM
SRAM: SRMA (Static Random-Access Memory) is a type of RAM used to store static
data in the memory. It means to store data in SRAM remains active as long as the
computer system has a power supply. However, data is lost in SRAM when power
failures have occurred.
SRAM DRAM
It uses flip-flops to store each bit of information. It uses a capacitor to store each bit of
information.
Advantages of RAM
Disadvantages of RAM
Advantages of ROM
Disadvantages of ROM
1. Store data cannot be updated or modify except to read the existing data.
2. It is a slower memory than RAM to access the stored data.
3. It takes around 40 minutes to destroy the existing data using the high charge
of ultraviolet light.
RAM ROM
It is a Random-Access Memory. It is a Read Only Memory.
Read and write operations can be Only Read operation can be performed.
performed.
Data can be lost in volatile memory when the Data cannot be lost in non-volatile memory when
power supply is turned off. the power supply is turned off.
Storage data requires to be refreshed in Storage data does not need to be refreshed in
RAM. ROM.
The size of the chip is bigger than the ROM The size of the chip is smaller than the RAM chip
chip to store the data. to store the same amount of data.
Types of RAM: DRAM and SRAM Types of ROM: MROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM
Secondary Memory
Secondary memory is a permanent storage space to hold a large amount of data.
Secondary memory is also known as external memory that representing the various
storage media (hard drives, USB, CDs, flash drives and DVDs) on which the computer
data and program can be saved on a long term basis. However, it is cheaper and slower
than the main memory. Unlike primary memory, secondary memory cannot be
accessed directly by the CPU. Instead of that, secondary memory data is first loaded
into the RAM (Random Access Memory) and then sent to the processor to read and
update the data. Secondary memory devices also include magnetic disks like hard disk
and floppy disks, an optical disk such as CDs and CDROMs, and magnetic tapes.
Hard Disk
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a secondary storage system that consisting of thin, flexible magnetic
coating disks for holding electronic data such as computer files. It is also known as
Floppy Diskette that comes in three sizes like 8 inches, 5.5 inches and 3.5 inches. The
stored data of a floppy disk can be accessed through the floppy disk drive. Furthermore,
it is the only way through a new program installed on a computer or backup of the
information. However, it is the oldest type of portable storage device, which can store
data up to 1.44 MB. Since most programs were larger, that required multiple floppy
diskettes to store large amounts of data. Therefore, it is not used due to very low
memory storage.
CD (Compact Disc)
A CD is an optical disk storage device, stands for Compact Disc. It is a storage device
used to store various data types like audio, videos, files, OS, Back-Up file, and any other
information useful to a computer. The CD has a width of 1.2 mm and 12 cm in height,
which can store approximately 783 MB of data size. It uses laser light to read and write
data from the CDs.
Types of CDs
1. CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory): It is mainly used for bulk size
mass like audio CDs, software and computer games at the time of manufacture.
Users can only read data, text, music, videos from the disc, but they cannot
modify or burnt it.
2. CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable): The type of Compact Disc used to write
once by the user; after that, it cannot be modified or erased.
3. CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable): It is a rewritable CD disc, often used to
write or delete the stored data.
DVD Drive/Disc
DVD is an optical disc storage device, stands for Digital Video Display or Digital
Versatile Disc. It has the same size as a CD but can store a larger amount of data than
a compact disc. It was developed in 1995 by Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Philips four
electronics companies. DVD drives are divided into three types, such as DVD ROM
(Read Only Memory), DVD R (Recordable) and DVD RW (Rewritable or Erasable). It
can store multiple data formats like audio, videos, images, software, operating system,
etc. The storing capacity of data in DVD is 4.7 GB to 17 GB.
Blu Ray Disc (BD)
Blu Ray is an Optical disc storage device used to store a large amount of data or high
definition of video recording and playing other media files. It uses laser technology to
read the stored data of the Blu-ray Disk. It can store more data at a greater density as
compared to CD/ DVD. For example, compact discs allow us to store 700 MB of data,
and in DVDs, it provides up to 8 GB of storage capacity, while Blu-ray Discs provide 28
GB of space to store data.
Pen Drive
A pen drive is a portable device used to permanently store data and is also known as
a USB flash drive. It is commonly used to store and transfer the data connected to a
computer using a USB port. It does not have any moveable part to store the data; it
uses an integrated circuit chip that stores the data. It allows the users to store and
transfer data like audio, videos, images, etc. from one computer to any USB pen drive.
The storing capacity of pen drives from 64 MB to 128 GB or more.
Cache Memory
It is a small-sized chip-based computer memory that lies between the CPU and the
main memory. It is a faster, high performance and temporary memory to enhance the
performance of the CPU. It stores all the data and instructions that are often used by
computer CPUs. It also reduces the access time of data from the main memory. It is
faster than the main memory, and sometimes, it is also called CPU memory because it
is very close to the CPU chip. The following are the levels of cache memory.
1. L1 Cache: The L1 cache is also known as the onboard, internal, or primary cache.
It is built with the help of the CPU. Its speed is very high, and the size of the L1
cache varies from 8 KB to 128 KB.
2. L2 Cache: It is also known as external or secondary cache, which requires fast
access time to store temporary data. It is built into a separate chip in a
motherboard, not built into the CPU like the L1 level. The size of the L2 cache
may be 128 KB to 1 MB.
3. L3 Cache: L3 cache levels are generally used with high performance and
capacity of the computer. It is built into a motherboard. Its speed is very slow,
and the maximum size up to 8 MB.
1. It is very costly as compared to the Main memory and the Secondary memory.
2. It has limited storage capacity.
Register Memory
The register memory is a temporary storage area for storing and transferring the data
and the instructions to a computer. It is the smallest and fastest memory of a computer.
It is a part of computer memory located in the CPU as the form of registers. The register
memory is 16, 32 and 64 bits in size. It temporarily stores data instructions and the
address of the memory that is repeatedly used to provide faster response to the CPU.
Data can be access directly by the processor Data cannot be accessed directly by the I/O
or CPU. processor or CPU.
Stored data can be a volatile or non-volatile The nature of secondary memory is always non-
memory. volatile.
It is more costly than secondary memory. It is less costly than primary memory.
It required the power to retain the data in It does not require power to retain the data in
primary memory. secondary memory.
Examples of primary memory are RAM, ROM, Examples of secondary memory are CD, DVD,
Registers, EPROM, PROM and cache memory. HDD, magnetic tapes, flash disks, pen drive, etc.