Fifth week

Agenda:

1. Greetings/Class attendance

2. Recap about hardware and software

3. What is RAM and ROM Memory?

RAM Memory

Random access memory, or RAM, is one of the most important components of not only desktop PCs, but laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. Without it, doing just about anything on any system would be much, much slower. 

In a nutshell, it's an extremely fast type of computer memory which temporarily stores all the information your PC needs right now and in the near future. It's where your computer loads up all the things it thinks it will need to find out soon, so that when it does need something, it can read it super fast. It's quite different from your system's storage, like its hard drive, where information is stored long term. 

It's quick at learning new things and can load in all of the information about your web browser, the image editing tool you're using, or the game you're playing so that you can access it quickly. 

SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 

It is relatively faster than other RAM types such as DRAM. It consumes less power. SRAM can hold the data as long as power is supplied to it. 

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 

Dynamic: will lose data unless refreshed periodically (DRAM) 

Computer ROM

Short for read-only memory, ROM is a storage medium that is used with computers and other electronic devices. As the name indicates, data stored in ROM may only be read.

A good example of ROM is the computer BIOS, which is a PROM chip that stores the programming needed to begin the initial computer startup process. Using a non-volatile storage medium is the only way to begin this process for computers and other devices. 

Volatility of Memory 

volatile memory 

Loses data over time or when power is removed • RAM is volatile 

Non-volatile 

memory stores data even when power is removed • ROM is non-volatile

Worksheet

In your notebook, answer the following questions:

1. The term 'RAM' and 'ROM' are acronyms. State what the initials stand for.

2. What is the function of RAM memory and ROM memory?

3. Explain the 2 types of RAM memory

4. What is Cache memory?

5. In a comparison chart, summarize and list 4 differences between RAM memory and ROM memory.