Types Of Computer Memory And How They Work

Types Of Computer Memory And How They Work

Computer Memory often refers to a few entities. Made up of a few different components, this decides how fast the processing of a CPU is. Although the CPU can accept large amounts of data at a given time, it virtually comes to a stop if the data is not available to it. This part of processing is what has evolved over the years.

Although providing a memory that supplies the CPU with all the data it needs is very expensive, experts have tiered it so the most inexpensive and large storage of computer memory is at the farthest end while an expensive but small memory component services the central processing unit. Between the hard disk, the RAM and the cache, the flow of bytes and then finally to the CPU is what runs the computer.

If you look at the hierarchy of the computer memory, at the base is the most inexpensive storage that includes the hard disk, custom USB drives etc. Above it is the RAM or random access memory which is comprised of the virtual memory and the physical RAM. Above it in the pyramid is the even smaller cache which is finally built into the CPU. An application when opened is loaded into RAM, although it is not loaded in its entirety which happens only when needed. This is followed by loading the files if any that are required by the application.

What is in the RAM is what the CPU might need immediately which is why this is called a temporary storage area. The CPU continuously reads and writes data to the RAM. The speed of the RAM is again dependent on the speed of the bus which is the number of bytes of data that are transferred to and fro. Burst mode where more than one byte of data are read at one time from the RAM and pipelining or working in the assembly line mode are two ways the latency problem of the RAM is solved to further enhance the speed of processing.

Then there is the cache right on top of the pyramid of computer memory. The level 1 cache which is a small but expensive memory component is built right into the CPU. The Cache and registers hold all the information that the CPU requires for the immediate access. The cache uses a special type of RAM called Static random access memory or SRAM. The registers are memory cells built into CPU and contain specific pieces of data that are required by CPU.

Computer memory can also be volatile or non-volatile memory. While volatile memory like that of RAM is erased as soon as the power is switched off, the non-volatile memory, e.g. that of ROM and the latest flash and custom USB drives, stays even after the power is switched off. Flash memory like memory sticks are solid state storage devices which are used fast and easy storage of data and because of their compact size are used in gaming consoles and digital cameras.

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