RAM (Random Access Memory) is primary storage that is directly connected to the CPU and holds the data and instructions currently in use .

What does it mean to say that RAM is volatile?

It means the contents of RAM are lost when the power is turned off .

How do data and instructions get into RAM for the CPU to use?

They must be copied from secondary storage .

Why can adding more RAM improve a computer's performance?

RAM capacity can be increased , and more RAM means more programs can be open at the same time without relying on slower secondary storage.

ROM (Read Only Memory) is primary storage that holds the first instructions a computer needs to start up , known as the boot file.

ROM contains the , which stands for Basic Input Output System.

ROM contains the BIOS , which stands for Basic Input Output System.

Where is ROM located in a computer system?

ROM is a small memory chip located on the computer's motherboard .

How does the speed of ROM compare with RAM and secondary storage?

ROM is much faster than secondary storage but slower than RAM .

True or False? The contents of ROM are lost when the power is turned off.

False. ROM is non-volatile , so its contents are not lost when the power is turned off.

Give three differences between RAM and ROM.

RAM stores data and programs in use while ROM stores the boot file ; RAM capacity is variable while ROM is fixed ; RAM contents are temporary while ROM contents are permanent ; RAM is read and write while ROM is read only ; RAM is volatile while ROM is non-volatile .

What do EPROM and EEPROM stand for?

EPROM is erasable programmable read only memory and EEPROM is electronically erasable programmable read only memory .

Define flash memory .

Flash memory is a type of EEPROM that is non-volatile , with fast access times and low power consumption .

Give three places flash memory is used.

Flash memory is used in solid state drives , USB drives and SD memory cards .

Why does reducing the amount of RAM slow a computer down?

Programs become more reliant on being read from secondary storage or virtual memory , which has slower read/write times than RAM .

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Memory (Edexcel IGCSE ICT): Flashcards

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Cards in this collection (14)

Define RAM.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is primary storage that is directly connected to the CPU and holds the data and instructions currently in use.
What does it mean to say that RAM is volatile?
It means the contents of RAM are lost when the power is turned off.
How do data and instructions get into RAM for the CPU to use?
They must be copied from secondary storage.
Why can adding more RAM improve a computer's performance?
RAM capacity can be increased, and more RAM means more programs can be open at the same time without relying on slower secondary storage.
Define ROM.
ROM (Read Only Memory) is primary storage that holds the first instructions a computer needs to start up, known as the boot file.
ROM contains the , which stands for Basic Input Output System.
ROM contains the BIOS, which stands for Basic Input Output System.
Where is ROM located in a computer system?
ROM is a small memory chip located on the computer's motherboard.
How does the speed of ROM compare with RAM and secondary storage?
ROM is much faster than secondary storage but slower than RAM.
True or False?
The contents of ROM are lost when the power is turned off.
False.
ROM is non-volatile, so its contents are not lost when the power is turned off.
Give three differences between RAM and ROM.
RAM stores data and programs in use while ROM stores the boot file; RAM capacity is variable while ROM is fixed; RAM contents are temporary while ROM contents are permanent; RAM is read and write while ROM is read only; RAM is volatile while ROM is non-volatile.
What do EPROM and EEPROM stand for?
EPROM is erasable programmable read only memory and EEPROM is electronically erasable programmable read only memory.
Define flash memory.
Flash memory is a type of EEPROM that is non-volatile, with fast access times and low power consumption.
Give three places flash memory is used.
Flash memory is used in solid state drives, USB drives and SD memory cards.
Why does reducing the amount of RAM slow a computer down?
Programs become more reliant on being read from secondary storage or virtual memory, which has slower read/write times than RAM.

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