Primary Memory

(COMPUTER DEPARTMENT)
Primary Memory
• Also known as Main Memory / system memory / Internal Memory.
• Used for temporary storage and data processing.
• It can be volatile or non-volatile.
• RAM is a volatile memory and Rom is a Non- Volatile memory.
• It is the memory which is directly accessed by the CPU.
• It is costly , fast and small in size as compared to Secondary memory.
Types of Primary Memory
• RAM
• ROM
RAM(Random Access Memory)
• It stands for Random Access Memory.
• It is a read/write memory.
• It is volatile memory i.e. the stored data will be lost after the
computer is turned off.
• Plays an important role in data processing.
• The programs and data that the CPU requires during execution of a
program are stored in this memory.
Types of RAM
• SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)
• DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
SRAM
• Stands for (Static Random Access Memory) .
• It uses multiple transistors , typically four to six for each memory cell
but doesn’t need a capacitor in SRAM cells.
• Data is stored in transistors and requires a constant power flow.
• It doesn't need refreshing circuits.
• Each cell takes more space on a chip and is costly.
SRAM
• Because of the continuous power, SRAM doesn’t need to be refreshed
to remember the data being stored.
• SRAM is called static as no change or action i.e. refreshing is not
needed to keep the data intact.
• It is used in cache memories.
• SRAM is faster in compared to DRAM.
DRAM
• Stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory.
• It has a memory cells with a pair of transistor and capacitor requiring constant
refreshing.
• Data is stored in capacitors.
• Capacitors that store data in DRAM gradually discharge energy, no energy means
the data has been lost.
• So, a periodic refresh of power is required in order to function.
• DRAM is called dynamic as constant change or action i.e. refreshing is needed to
keep the data intact.
• It is used to implement main memory.
• DRAM provides slow access speeds than SRAM.
SDRAM
• Stands for "Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory."
• SDRAM is an improvement to standard DRAM because it retrieves data
alternately between two sets of memory.
• This eliminates the delay caused when one bank of memory addresses is
shut down while another is prepared for reading.
• It is called "Synchronous" DRAM because the memory is synchronized
with the clock speed that the computer's CPU bus speed is optimized for.
• The faster the bus speed, the faster the SDRAM can be.
• SDRAM speed is measured in Megahertz, which makes it easy to compare
the processor's bus speed to the speed of the memory.
RDRAM
• Stands for "Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory."
• It is a type of RAM made by Rambus and is the fastest type of computer memory
available.
• Typical SDRAM can transfer data at speeds up to 133 MHz, while standard RDRAM
can crank it up over 1 GHz.
• Though some motherboards can use RDRAM as system memory, it is so fast, most
boards cannot fully benefit from the speed.
• Because of this, RDRAM is typically used for video memory on graphics accelerator
cards, for cache memory (located on the CPU), and for system memory in high-
performance workstations and servers.
• Rambus Inline Memory Module.
• Bottom notches are near the center of the module.
• Looks similar to the DIMMS.
ROM
• Stands for Read only memory.
• Non-volatile memory.
• It contains the instructions that are permanently stored on the chips
by the manufacturer themselves.
• The instructions stored in the ROM can only be read but cannot be
modified.
• The programs stored in ROM are called firmware.
ROM
• Firmware is a combination of hardware and software in a single
device called ROM.
• Rom contains the BIOS which is a set of instructions that are
automatically activated when the computer is turned on.
• Computer uses the instructions on the ROM at the time of booting
Types of ROM
• PROM
• EPROM
• EEPROM
PROM
• STANDS for Programmable Read only Memory.
• Is a blank ROM Chip in which the user can write his own program
instructions and data but only once.
• Once written it cannot be changed.
• It can be programmed only once and is not erasable.
EPROM
• Stands for Erasable programmable Read only Memory.
• Like PROM , it is initially blank and the user can write his own
programs or data.
• But here the data written in EPROM chip can be erased and
reprogrammed by exposing the chip to ultraviolet light for 20 -
40minutes.
• The ultraviolet light clears its contents, making it possible to
reprogram the memory.
• Programs in EPROM can be changed and new data can also be added
on this type of EPROM.
EEPROM
• Stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read only memory.
• EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically by exposing it to a
high voltage of an electrical charge on byte by byte basis.