LearnITWithMrC

RAM, ROM & Virtual Memory

Lesson Video

60

Lesson Tasks

Watch the Lesson video
Make notes if needed.
Open your Learning Journal
Complete Task 1 in your Learning Journal
Complete the learning activities
Make sure you complete the book tasks in your Unit Booklet
Complete End of Task Assessment
Update your learning objectives

What do I need to Learn?

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I need to learn how to explain the role and operation of main memory

I need to learn how to understand the differences between RAM and ROM

Key Terms

RAM(Random Access Memory) ROM(Read Only Memory) BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) Virtual Memory Swap Primary storage Volatile Secondary storage Non-volatile Hard disk drive Solid State Drive DRAM(Dynamic RAM) SRAM(Static RAM)

Task 1 - Getting organised Click to see more

Task: Learning Journal

Open your Learning Journal by clicking on the image below

Good notes will help you organise and process data and information

Task 2 - RAM and ROM Click to see more

The difference between RAM and ROM

Task:

Open your student workbook at page 42 Read through the notes then complete the following task in your book.

Task 22

When you are finished screenshot your answer into your Learning Journal

Task 3 - Volatile and Non-Volatile memory Click to see more

Volatile and Non-Volatile memory

Volatile memory

Volatile memory is computer memory that requires a power supply in order to maintain stored data. In other words, volatile memory will store information as long as power is being supplied to it. However, the moment that the power is turned off, the information is lost. Volatile memory is often referred to as ‘temporary memory’.

The RAM (random access memory) in your computer is a type of volatile memory. If there was a power cut when you were using your computer, any data that was stored on it when the power was disconnected is immediately erased. This is the reason why you should get into the habit of frequently saving your work to the hard disk (non-volatile memory – see below) when you work on your computer.

Normal RAM is dynamic (called DRAM). The advantage of DRAM is that each stored data bit takes up a very small space. The disadvantage is that to achieve this the stored charge does not last very long, so it has to be refreshed periodically by a control circuit in the RAM stick. Static RAM has six transistors used to store each bit, rather than the single one on DRAM.

Non-volatile memory

Non-volatile memory is computer memory that will retain its information whether the power being supplied to it is turned on or switched off. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM (read-only memory), flash memory and most types of magnetic computer hard disks and optical disks. Interestingly, early computer storage methods such as paper tape and punched cards are also referred to as non-volatile memory.

The purpose of non-volatile memory is to be used as secondary or long-term persistent storage. The CPU cannot fetch the data it needs direct from the hard disk. This is because even the slowest modern CPU processes data about 50 times faster than the fastest hard disk. So we need fast memory and the fastest memory is cache.