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MEMORY
INTRODUCTION
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The system memory is the place where the computer
holds current programs and data that are in use.
Types of computer memory
Primary Memory
Secondary Memory
Virtual Memory
MEMORY CLASSIFICATIONS
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TYPES OF MEMORY
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Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
RAM
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A collection of memory chips - functions as primary workspace.
RAM is a read/write memory which stores data temporarily.
Data gets erased when the machine is turned off
Features
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All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off
Described as being ”Volatile“
It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any
order
Features…
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RAM typically resides on Memory Modules
A RAM Memory chip is an IC made of millions of Transistors and
Capacitors
Types of RAM
DRAM
SRAM
Virtual Memory - An extension of RAM on hard drive
TYPES OF RAM
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Static RAM (SRAM)
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Static RAM (SRAM)
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SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is a type of
semiconductor memory.
SRAM is used only where access speed is extremely
important.
The word "static" indicates that the memory retains its
contents as long as power is continuously applied.
Static RAM (SRAM)..
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Very fast but more expensive
Used as cache memory due to its speed
Cache Memory stores frequently used data and
instructions
Constant power should be applied
Servers and workstations can have at least 2MB of
L2 or L3 cache.
Levels of Caches
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Level 1 Cache - (8KB to 128KB)
Level 2 Cache - (64KB to 4MB)
Level 3 Cache is separate from the microprocessor chip
and is on the motherboard.
L3 Cache exists only on computers that use the L2
Advanced Transfer Cache.
Dynamic RAM(DRAM)
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This type of memory is dynamic because its storage
cells must be refreshed, i.e. receive a new electronic
charge every few milliseconds in order for the memory
state to be maintained.
It is a type of random access memory that stores each
bit of data in a separate capacitor.
Dynamic RAM(DRAM)..
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Since capacitors leak charge, the data fades unless the
capacitor charge is refreshed periodically.
Only one transistor and a capacitor are required per
bit, compared to four or six transistors in SRAM.
Contents are constantly refreshed 1000 times per
second
Access time 60 – 70 nanoseconds
Note: a nanosecond is one billionth of a second!
Dynamic RAM(DRAM)…
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Stores 1’s and 0’s on capacitors
Must be recharged every millisecond, or every one
thousandth of a second
The standard refresh time is 15ms.
Most RAM must be recharged constantly
Types of SDRAM
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DDR1
DDR2
DDR3
DDR4
DDR4 currently being designed and anticipated to be
available in 2015.
DDR SDRAM
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Double-Data-Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random
Access Memory
It is designed to double the clock speed of the memory.
It achieves greater bandwidth by transferring data on
both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal.
DDR SDRAM DIMMs has 184 pins
DDR operates at a voltage of 2.5V, compared to 3.3V
for SDRAM.
DDR2 SDRAM
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DDR3 SDRAM
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DDR3 is the latest memory standard.
DDR3 memory runs on only 1.5V, which is nearly 20%
less than the 1.8V that DDR2 memory uses.
240-pin DDR3 modules are similar in pin count, size,
and shape to the DDR2 modules.
DDR3 modules are incompatible with the DDR2 are
designed with different keying structure.
DDR3 continues the trend, doubling the minimum
read or write unit to 8 consecutive words.
DDR4 SDRAM
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DDR4 SDRAM will be the successor to DDR3
SDRAM.
Expected to be released in 2015.
The new chips are expected to run at 1.2 v or less.
Speed - 2 billion data transfers per second.
MEMORY MODULES
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SIMM (Single-Inline Memory Module)
DIMM(Dual Inline Memory Module)
RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module)
SO-DIMM(Single-Outline Dual-Inline Memory Module)
Memory Modules
SIMM
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A typical 30-pin SIMM.
A typical 72-pin SIMM.
Memory Modules
DIMM
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A typical 168-pin SDRAM DIMM
A typical 184-pin DDR DIMM
A typical 240-pin DDR2 DIMM
Memory Modules..
DIMM
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A typical 240-pin DDR3 DIMM
A typical 184-pin RIMM (RIMM modules uses RDRAM)
Examples of Memory Modules
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Memory Modules – DDR3 [aXeRam Series]
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DDR3-2400: 4GB ~ 8GB
DDR3-2133: 8GB
DDR3-2000: 4GB~6GB
ROM – READ ONLY MEMORY
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Data can be hold Permanently or semi-permanently.
It is called read-only.
ROM is non-volatile.
Up to 128KB in size
Virtually all systems the ROMs are shadowed.
Motherboard ROM-BIOS: Contains the startup programs and
drivers and act as the interface to the basic hardware in the
system.
Motherboard ROM-BIOS
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Contents of ROM
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POST
BIOS
CMOS Setup
BSL
Contents of ROM..
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POST –Power-On Self-Test
Tests complete computer’s hardware
POST Phases
Phase I
Processor, memory, chipset, video adapter
Phase II
Disk controllers, Disk drives, Keyboard, and
other crucial components.
Contents of ROM…
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BIOS – Basic Input Output System
Contains the collection of actual drivers
Act as a basic interface between the OS and your hardware
when the system is booted and running.
CMOS Setup – Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
A menu driven program.
Enables you to configure the motherboard and chipset
settings
Date and time,
Passwords
Disk drives
Other basic system settings
Contents of ROM….
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BSL - Boot Strap Loader
A routine that reads the first physical sector of various
disk drives.
First sector - Master Boot Record [MBR]
MBR contains VBR .
VBR loads the first OS startup file
[Link] for Windows 9x/Me
ntldr for Windows XP/2000/NT
bootmgr for Windows 7/Vista/8/2008/2012
ROM Chip Types
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ROM—Read-only memory
PROM—Programmable ROM
EPROM—Erasable PROM
EEPROM—Electrically erasable PROM(flash ROM)
PROM
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PROMs are a type of ROM
Blank when new
Must be programmed with whatever data you want.
Programmed by manufacturers.
Uses special machine called a device programmer,
ROM programmer, or ROM burner.
They are technically preloaded with binary 1’s.
Available in sizes from 1KB (8Kb) to 2MB (16Mb) or
more.
One-Time Programmable (OTP) chips.
EPROM
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An Erasable ROM.
Easily recognized by the Clear Quartz Crystal Window set
in the chip package directly over the die.
The purpose of the window is to allow Ultraviolet Light
EPROM is erased by exposure to intense UV light.
The UV light causes a chemical reaction, which essentially
melts the fuses back together.
Crystal window is typically covered by tape, which prevents
accidental exposure to UV light.
EEPROM/Flash ROM
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Electrically Erasable PROM.
Can be erased and reprogrammed directly in the circuit board
they are installed in.
No special equipment required.
Can be erased without removing the chip.
No need a U.V eraser or device programmer.
Advantage we can upgrade the motherboard ROM.
Download the updated ROM from the motherboard
manufacturer’s Website.
ROM BIOS Manufacturers
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American Megatrends Inc.(AMI)
Phoenix Technologies, and Award Software
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
Virtual Memory
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• Uses backing storage to store programs and data
temporarily.
• Used where insufficient RAM available.
• Swaps programs and data between the hard-disk and
RAM.
• Speed: CPU can access RAM in nanoseconds but
hard-disk in milliseconds.
• Virtual memory is much slower than RAM.
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Thank You
