ROLE OF RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY ) ON COMPUTER

ROLE OF RAM (RANDOM  ACCESS  MEMORY ) ON COMPUTER BY USMAN A USMAN

 CONTENT

• Abstract
• Introduction
• How Does It Work ?
• Types of Ram

•      Static RAM

•      Dynamic RAM

q  Limitation of Ram

q  Summary

q  Conclusion

q  Recommendation

Reference

 ABSTRACT

This seminar is primarily aim at given an insight to the subject matter termed RAM (Radom Access Memory) which is a form of computer storage. Its basic concept, types, functionality and some basic terms related to RAM and some of its limitation and future benefits of RAM.

INTRODUCTION

Random Access Memory Device allows stored data to be accessed directly in any random order. RAM is type of temporary storage media. It does not store data permanently. It is a type of Volatile memory. This means that RAM loses all its data once the power is turned off.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

 HOW DOES IT WORK ?

§  When the computer first starts a program it sends an address to RAM to begin retrieving that program. The RAM address just consist a series of 1’s and 0’s representing ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ wire.

§  RAM does not do anything with that address until the CPU turns on the “SET” or “ENABLE” wire. If the enable wire is turned ON the RAM automatically senses the data corresponding to that address back to the CPU, that data is then processed by the CPU accordingly.

TYPES OF RAM

RAM is basically of two types:

Ø   Static RAM

Ø  Dynamic RAM

Static RAM is a type of RAM that keeps the data fed to it. It never has to be refreshed. This makes static RAM significantly faster than dynamic RAM . Static memory cell takes up a lot more space on a chip than a dynamic memory cell. This makes Static RAM  expensive than DRAM.

On the other hand, Dynamic RAM constantly needs to be refreshed otherwise the stored data will be lost.

WHAT IS CACHE ?

Cache Memory is fast memory that serves as a buffer between the processor and main memory. The cache holds data that was recently used by the processor and saves a trip all the way back to slower main memory. Types of Cache are:

q   L1 Cache

q   L2 Cache

q   L3 Cache

MEMORY HIERARCHY

The memory structure of PCs is often thought of as just main memory, but it's really a five or six level structure.

The first two levels of memory are contained in the processor itself consisting of the processor's  small internal memory, or registers, and L1 cache, which is the first level of cache, usually contained in the processor.

§  The third level of memory is the L2 cache, usually contained on the motherboard.

§  The fourth level, is being referred to as L3 cache. This cache used to be the L2 cache on the motherboard, but now that some processors include L1 and L2 cache on the chip, it becomes L3 cache. Usually, it runs slower than the processor, but faster than main memory.

§  The fifth level (or fourth if you have no "L3 cache") of memory is the main memory itself.

§  The sixth level is a piece of the hard disk used by the Operating System, usually called virtual memory. Most operating systems use this when they run out of main memory,

LIMITATION OF RAM

Ø  One of the biggest drawback of Random Access Memory is that it is a volatile memory. This means that whenever the computer is switched off all the data that was stored in the RAM is lost.

Ø  Another limitation of RAM is space limitation. The cost per bit for RAM is high as compared to ROM, because of this reason it is not used for mass storage.

SUMMARY

Technological advancement is taking over the world and computer has become the song of the day the impact of RAM on computer system can never be overemphasize because without RAM your computer would not be able to save any vital information for later use or future reference.

 

CONCLUSION

Ø  The amount of RAM matters more than the type of RAM. This is because more the RAM available in a system, more number of tasks can be performed simultaneously without any performance drop.

Ø  Computers used nowadays comes with DDR2, DDR3 RAM. While RDRAM did not become popular due to high licensing fees, high cost, being a proprietary standard, and low performance advantages for the increased cost. It is being used in some graphics accelerator boards in place of VRAM and is also being employed in Intel’s Pentium III Xeon processors

RECOMMENDATION

Haven study the basic impact of RAM on a computer system, I hereby recommend that RAM with a bigger size should be used on your various computer in order to make the functionality of your computer more advance.

REFERENCE

http://www.ram.org

http://randomaccessmemory.about.com/od/basicideas/a/bizopps2016

http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/06/fourthgeneration.html

http://www.thecloud.net