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IT4nextgen > Key Concepts > Types of Memory

Types of Memory

Last Updated February 22, 2023 By Subhash D 9 Comments

In a computer, all the programs are stored on a hard disk drive. Whenever you access any program, it is temporarily stored in the memory called RAM(random access memory) so that the CPU accesses this software quickly. Apart from RAM, there are different types of memory that have their own roles in computing. Let’s explore different types of memory and their functionality.

Computer Memory is of Two Types

  1. Permanent memory
  2. Temporary Memory

Permanent Memory

A memory that is not affected by the absence of electricity is a permanent memory and the data stored in it remains intact even if it is moved from one place to another. On a motherboard, it is present in an Integrated chip, also called ROM or BIOS. All the information about the motherboard, booting instructions, and functions are stored in BIOS at the time of manufacturing.

Permanent memory is of 4 types.

ROM (Read only memory). ROM, once manufactured cannot be changed. It is the static form of permanent memory. A commercially available movie or software on a CD-ROM is a good example of Read-Only-Memory. You cannot change the contents once the data has been written to it.

PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory). The hardware chip that can be programmed once is called PROM. Special Programmable kits are used to program the electronic chips. A common example is burning(writing data) on a CD-ROM or a DVD at home.

EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). This type of ROM has a small window on its top. If this window is exposed to UV light for a specific period of time, all the previous data is deleted. You can re-program it after the data has been completely removed.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory). This is the most used type of permanent memory. You can easily erase the data with a software program. BIOS on the motherboard is an example of EEPROM.

computer BIOScompuer ROM

Temporary Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory) is another name for temporary memory. It is called temporary since all the data stored in RAM gets erased once the power is off. RAM is used to hold and execute the data or the instructions. Whenever we work on the computer, actually we are working on RAM and it’s only when we press the save button the data gets saved in permanent storage like a hard disk.

On a motherboard, RAM is present in PCB modules as shown in the figure below.

Types of RAM Modules:

Different types of Memory Modules

Different types of RAM modules are shown above. You can differentiate these RAM modules by the CUTS on golden pins on the lower side of each module. Just notice that each type of RAM module has a cut or a notch on different positions along the length. RAM modules have been aligned vertically according to their date of origin and speed. Like SIMM modules were among the first type of memory to come and DDR4 RAM modules are the fastest and latest memory types. All the above types of RAM are Dynamic RAM.

RAM  is further classified into two types

  1. DRAM: Dynamic RAM
  2. SRAM: Static RAM
 DRAMSRAM
Memory Cells TypeCapacitorsFET
Packing DensityHighLow
SpeedLowHigh
CostLessHigh
Function ( Used As )Main MemoryCache Memory

Working Diagram of MemoryComputer Cache memory

Cache Memory 

Cache memory is just like another memory that stores the data. Although all the programs, documents, or other media files you access in a computer run in RAM to make the processing faster, the processor, instead of searching for data in main memory(RAM), reads the data from cache(SRAM). The SRAM which consists of FETs has high speed compared to RAM which is built on capacitors.

Shadow Ram


The ROM  functions relatively slower than RAM. So it takes a longer time to access codes from ROM than from RAM. In order to speed up the ROM processing, the codes of ROM are copied into a region of RAM and are write-protected. This way the system now can access the ROM codes from RAM at a much higher speed. The region of RAM where the ROM codes are copied is called shadow RAM.

Filed Under: Key Concepts Tagged With: Computer hardware

About Subhash D

A tech-enthusiast, Subhash is a Graduate Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Founder of it4nextgen, he has spent more than 20 years in the IT industry.

Comments

  1. B.Chandradeep says

    December 11, 2017 at 4:10 am

    Hii .. But there are many types of memory like C CD , PEN DRIVE , MOUSE etc …

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      December 12, 2017 at 11:06 am

      CD or Pen drive or hard disk, they are storage devices and not types of memory whereas mouse is an input device. You should read this article to clear your fundamentals. https://www.it4nextgen.com/computer-hardware-training/

      Reply
  2. Godsent f says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    A laptop that when u boot it on will only display ON on the button but will not display on the screen, what is said to be the problem and how can it be solved. Pls i need a reply thanks.

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      December 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      The best way to diagnose the fault is by connecting the laptop to external monitor through VGA port. If there is display gets ON in the monitor, it means there is some problem in your laptop screen otherwise there is some issue with the laptop hardware which can be diagnosed by opening it.

      Reply
  3. Aadam says

    February 15, 2018 at 3:17 am

    A good explain of RAMs Subhash. I think SRAM is better for performance if you don’t care about the money.

    Reply
  4. tayebwa yonah says

    May 14, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    what is DDR4 RAM IN FULL

    i really want to understand

    Reply
  5. brayo brayo says

    May 26, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    it has been a good alesson sir .keep it up, i have learnt alot

    Reply
  6. Richard says

    July 16, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    I really appreciate ur lessons,they r really helpful keep it up guys

    Reply
  7. praveena says

    September 19, 2018 at 3:14 pm

    what are the different types of main memory systems?

    Reply

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