{"id":114,"date":"2022-10-03T20:48:02","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T20:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/learnlearn.uk\/ibcs\/?page_id=114"},"modified":"2025-04-08T11:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T11:29:22","slug":"ram-rom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/learnlearn.uk\/ibcs\/ram-rom\/","title":{"rendered":"RAM & ROM"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

RAM<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n

Random Access Memory (RAM)<\/h3>\n

RAM is a type of very fast memory<\/strong> that is used to temporarily hold data about currently running programs<\/strong>. When you load any file from the hard drive there is a lag between the request and the data being sent, this would cause massive slow down of the CPU if data was constantly being requested from the hard drive. Instead a single request is sent to the hard drive when the program loads and the whole program is loaded in to RAM. The RAM is electronic memory and all the data is stored in flop flop circuits using electrical currents and transistors. This means that there is very little latency<\/strong> and there the computer loads the program much faster than if it wasn’t used. However because RAM data is stored electronically, RAM is volatile<\/strong> – once power is lost all data is lost as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>

ROM<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n

Read Only Memory ( ROM)<\/h3>\n

Read only memory is mainly used in a PC to store the tiny mini operating system called the BIOS<\/strong>. The BIOS data is flashed to the ROM chip when the motherboard is made and does not change for it’s entire lifetime (hence the term Read Only). If you want to update the BIOS, you need to flash the ROM chip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The BIOS is responsible for doing a system hardware check before the system starts to make sure all the connected devices are functioning. Once it has completed the check it boots up the operating system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>

Cache Memory<\/h2>\n
\n\n

Cache Memory<\/h3>\n

Cache memory is a small, high-speed type of memory located directly on or very close to the CPU<\/strong>. It stores frequently accessed data and instructions<\/strong>, allowing the processor to retrieve this information more quickly than if it had to access the main memory (RAM). Cache acts as a buffer between the CPU and RAM, helping to reduce the time it takes to access data and improving overall system performance.<\/p>\n

Cache memory is typically built using SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory)<\/strong>, which is faster but more expensive and power-hungry than DRAM (used in regular RAM). SRAM retains data as long as power is supplied and does not<\/strong> need to be refreshed like DRAM, making it ideal for cache.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>

SRAM vs DRAM<\/h2>\n
\n<\/p>\n

SRAM vs DRAM<\/h3>\n

SRAM (Static RAM)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n