COMPUTERS MEMORY

Andi Sofyan Anas, ST., M.Kom.

What is Computer Memory

• Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing

information temporarily, like RAM (random access memory), or
permanently, like ROM (read-only memory).
• Memory devices utilize integrated circuits and are used by
operating systems, software, and hardware.
Volatile vs. non-volatile memory

• Memory can be either volatile and non-volatile memory.

• Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when the
computer or hardware device loses power.
Computer RAM is an example of volatile memory and is why if
your computer freezes or reboots when working on a
program, you lose anything that hasn't been saved.
• Non-volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as NVRAM, is
memory that keeps its contents even if the power is lost.
EPROM is an example of non-volatile memory.
What happens to memory when the computer is
turned off ?

• As mentioned above, because RAM is volatile memory, when the

computer loses power, anything stored in RAM is lost. For
example, while working on a document, it is stored in RAM if it is
not saved to non-volatile memory (e.g., the hard drive) and would
be lost if the computer lost power.
Memory is not disk storage

• It is very common for new computer users to be confused by what

parts in the computer are memory. Although both the hard drive
and RAM are memory, it's more appropriate to refer to RAM as
"memory" or "primary memory" and a hard drive as "storage" or
"secondary storage."
• When someone asks how much memory is in your computer, it is
often between 1 GB and 16 GB of RAM and several hundred
gigabytes, or even a terabyte, of hard disk drive storage. In other
words, you always have more hard drive space than RAM.
How is memory used?

• When a program, such as your Internet browser, is open, it is

loaded from your hard drive and placed into RAM, which allows
that program to communicate with the processor at higher speeds.
Anything you save to your computer, such as a picture or video, is
sent to your hard drive for storage.
Why is memory important or needed for a
computer?

• Each device in a computer operates at different speeds and

computer memory gives your computer a place to quickly access
data.
• If the CPU had to wait for a secondary storage device, like a hard
disk drive, a computer would be much slower.
Types of Computer Storage
Primary Memory

• Primary memory is also known as main memory or may also refer

to "Internal memory." and primary storage. All those types of
computer memories that are directly accessed by the processor
using data bus are called primary memory.
• That allows a processor to access stores running programs and
currently processed data that stored in a memory location.
• Type of Primary Memory :
• RAM
• ROM
Cache Memory

• Cache Memory is a special very high-speed memory. It is used to

speed up and synchronizing with high-speed CPU.
• Cache memory is costlier than main memory or disk memory but
economical than CPU registers. Cache memory is an extremely
fast memory type that acts as a buffer between RAM and the CPU.
It holds frequently requested data and instructions so that they
are immediately available to the CPU when needed.
Cache Memory

• Cache memory is used to reduce the average time to access data

from the Main memory.
• The cache is a smaller and faster memory which stores copies of
the data from frequently used main memory locations. There are
various different independent caches in a CPU, which store
instructions and data.
How it’s Work

• The CPU initially looks in the cache for the

data it needs.
• If the data is there, it will retrieve it and
process it.
• If the data is not there, then the CPU
accesses the data system memory and than
put a copy of the new data in the cache
before processing it.
• Next time if the CPU needs to access the
same data again, it will just retrieve the
data form the cache instead of going through
the whole loading process again.
RAM (Random Access Memory)

• The Word “RAM” stands for “random access memory” or may also
refer to short-term memory.
• It’s called “random” because you can read store data randomly at
any time and from any physical location.
• It is a temporal storage memory.
• RAM is volatile that only retains all the data as long as the
computer powered. It is the fastest type of memory.
• RAM stores the currently processed data from the CPU and sends
them to the graphics unit.
Subcategories of RAM

• Static RAM: Static RAM is the form of RAM and made with flipflops and
used for primary storage are volatile. It retains data in latch as long as
the computer powered. SRAM is more expensive and consumes more
power than DRAM. It used as Cache Memory in a computer system. As
technically, SRAM uses more transistors as compared to DRAM. It is faster
compared to DRAM due to the latching arrangement, and they use 6
transistors per data bit as compared to DRAM, which uses one transistor
per bit
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): It is another form of RAM
used as Main Memory, its retains information in Capacitors for a short
period (a few milliseconds) even though the computer powered. The
Data is Refreshed Periodically to maintain in it. The DRAM is cheaper, but
it can store much more information. Moreover, it is also slower and
consumes less power than SRAM.
Types of RAM

• EDO RAM
• SDRAM
• DDR RAM
• DDR2 RAM
• DDR3 RAM
• DDR4 RAM
EDO RAM

• Alternatively referred to as Hyper Page mode memory, EDO is

short for Extended Data Out and is a type of memory developed
in 1995 by Micron that was first used with Pentium computers.
EDO allows a CPU to access memory 10 to 15-percent faster the
compatible Fast Page memory by not turning off the data output
drivers after the memory has removed the column address. An
upgraded variation of EDO memory is BEDO, although it was never
widely used.
SDRAM
• SDRAM, which is short for Synchronous DRAM, is a type of
memory that synchronizes itself with the computer's system clock.
Being synchronized allows the memory to run at higher speeds
than previous memory types and asynchronous DRAM and also
supports up to 133 MHz system bus cycling. Since 1993, this is the
prevalent type of memory used in computers around the world. In
the picture below is an example of a SDRAM DIMM. The original
type, named SDRAM, up to the current type, DDR3, are all
derivatives of the SDRAM memory type.
DDR RAM

• Short for double data rate, DDR is memory that was first
introduced in 1996 and has since been replaced by DDR2. DDR
utilizes both the rising and falling edge of the system clock,
potentially doubling the speed of the memory. Today, DDR
technology is found on high-end video cards and computer
memory such as DDR-SDRAM.
DDR2 RAM
• Short for double data rate two, DDR2 is the second generation of
DDR memory that was released in September 2003. DDR2 is
capable of operating at greater speeds than DDR, offers a greater
bandwidth potential, operates on less power, and generates less
heat. Due to architectural differences, DDR2 memory modules are
incompatible with DDR slots.
 DDR3 RAM
• Short for double data rate three, DDR3 is a type of
DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) released
in June 2007 as the successor to DDR2. DDR3 chips
have bus clock speed of 400 MHz up to 1066 MHz,
range in size from 1 to 24 GB, and consume nearly
30% less power than their predecessors. DDR3 RAM
sticks for a desktop computer have 240 pins. For a
laptop computer, DDR3 RAM sticks have 204 pins.
• These memory chips can only be installed on a
motherboard that supports DDR3 memory and are
not backward compatible with DDR2 memory slots.
DDR4 RAM

• Short for double data rate four, DDR4 is a type of system memory
known as SDRAM and was released in September 2014 as the
successor to DDR3. DDR4 has bus clock speeds that range from 800
to 1600 MHz and range in storage capacity from 4 to 128 GB per
DIMM. DDR4 is also more efficient at 1.2 V when compared to
DDR3's 1.5 to 1.65 V range.
ROM (Read Only Memory)

• ROM is the long-term internal memory. ROM is “Non-Volatile

Memory” that retains data without the flow of electricity. ROM is
an essential chip with permanently written data or programs. It is
similar to the RAM that is accessed by the CPU. ROM comes with
pre-written by the computer manufacturer to hold the instructions
for booting-up the computer.
• ROM is separated into three categories:
1. PROM
2. EPROM
3. EEPROM
PROM

• PROM(Programmable Read Only Memory): PROM

stands for programmable ROM.
• It can be programmed only be done once and read
many. Unlike ROM, PROMs retain their contents
without the flow of electricity. PROM is also
nonvolatile memory.
• The significant difference between a ROM and a
PROM is that a ROM comes with pre-written by the
computer manufacturer whereas PROM
manufactured as blank memory. PROM can be
programmed by PROM burner and by blowing
internal fuses permanently.
EPROM

• EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory): EPROM is

pronounced ee-prom. This memory type retains its contents until
it exposed to intense ultraviolet light that clears its contents,
making it possible to reprogram the memory.
EEPROM

• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only

Memory): EEPROM can be burned (programmed) and erased by
first electrical waves in a millisecond. A single byte of a data or
the entire contents of device can be erased. To write or erase this
memory type, you need a device called a PROM burner.
Referensi

• https://www.computerhope.com
• http://ecomputernotes.com/
• https://techterms.com