Types of Computer Memory
Computer memory is a generic term for all of the different types of data storage
technology that a computer may use, including RAM, ROM, and flash memory.
Types of Computer Memory: Primary and Secondary
Although many types of memory in a computer exist, the most basic distinction is
between primary memory, often called system memory, and secondary memory,
which is more commonly called storage.
The key difference between primary and secondary memory is speed of access.
Primary memory includes ROM and RAM, and is located close to the CPU on the
computer motherboard.
Secondary memory by contrast, is usually physically located within a separate
storage device, such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive (SSD), which is
connected to the computer system either directly or over a network.
Primary Memory Types:
There are two key types of primary memory:
a. RAM, or random access memory
b. ROM, or read-only memory
Let's look in-depth at both types of memory.
1) RAM Computer Memory
The acronym RAM stems from the fact that data stored in random access memory
can be accessed – as the name suggests – in any random order. Or, put another
way, any random bit of data can be accessed just as quickly as any other bit.
The most important things to understand about RAM are that RAM memory is
very fast, it can be written to as well as read, it is volatile (so all data stored in
RAM memory is lost when it loses power) and, finally, it is very expensive
compared to all types of secondary memory of data that is about to be used.
Types of RAM:
DRAM: DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM, and it is the most common type of RAM
used in computers.
SRAM: SRAM stands for Static RAM, and it is a particular type of RAM which is
faster than DRAM, but more expensive and bulker, having six transistors in each
cell.
2) ROM Computer Memory
ROM stands for read-only memory, and the name stems from the fact that while
Computer memory is a generic term for all of the different types of data storage
technology that a computer may use, including RAM, ROM, and flash memory.
Types of Computer Memory: Primary and Secondary
Although many types of memory in a computer exist, the most basic distinction is
between primary memory, often called system memory, and secondary memory,
which is more commonly called storage.
The key difference between primary and secondary memory is speed of access.
Primary memory includes ROM and RAM, and is located close to the CPU on the
computer motherboard.
Secondary memory by contrast, is usually physically located within a separate
storage device, such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive (SSD), which is
connected to the computer system either directly or over a network.
Primary Memory Types:
There are two key types of primary memory:
a. RAM, or random access memory
b. ROM, or read-only memory
Let's look in-depth at both types of memory.
1) RAM Computer Memory
The acronym RAM stems from the fact that data stored in random access memory
can be accessed – as the name suggests – in any random order. Or, put another
way, any random bit of data can be accessed just as quickly as any other bit.
The most important things to understand about RAM are that RAM memory is
very fast, it can be written to as well as read, it is volatile (so all data stored in
RAM memory is lost when it loses power) and, finally, it is very expensive
compared to all types of secondary memory of data that is about to be used.
Types of RAM:
DRAM: DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM, and it is the most common type of RAM
used in computers.
SRAM: SRAM stands for Static RAM, and it is a particular type of RAM which is
faster than DRAM, but more expensive and bulker, having six transistors in each
cell.
2) ROM Computer Memory
ROM stands for read-only memory, and the name stems from the fact that while
