How RAM affects performance

How RAM affects performance

‘RAM’ and ‘ROM’ are acronyms. State what the letters RAM and ROM stand for.

• RAM - Random Access Memory
• ROM - Read Only Memory

State the differences between RAM and ROM.
ROM can only be read and not modified, whereas data can be written to the RAM by the computer.
When power is off all data is lost in the RAM, it is volitile, ROM isn't.

Explain why ROM is required by the computer.
ROM is a special type of memory needed by the computer to boot up - known as BIOS (basic input output system) it allows the che computer to be powered off and still store data. This type of memory is needed becuase the computer must be able to obtain instructions the moment it is swithed on. It must know some basics about the machine hardware: configuration settings.

Explain the function of RAM in a computer system.
The function of RAM is to store current running operating system, application programs, and data so they can be quickly reached by the computer's processor. When a program is loaded from the hard disk drive, the program instructions are copied into RAM.

Explain what happens when there is not enough RAM to store all of the required data.
When the RAM is full, the least used/oldest page  (data) will be swapped out, by the operating system, to a file on the hard drive disk - Virtual Memory -. If the page swapped out is needed it is referenced and swapped back for another page.
Explain how inserting more RAM in a computer affects its performance.
Inserting more RAM in a computer affects the overall perforamnce of a computer. The speed of operating the copmuter will increase meaning a better quality of use; faster programes. The spped increases as more RAM allows programe instructions to be loaded quicker without swapping out data onto the hard disk drive becuase of a bigger memory. Also, increasing the RAM can improve multitasking of the computer more programes could be stored in the RAM at once.
 Briefly, more RAM provides;

• A better storage for data, more program instructions
• Programes will run faster, less use of virtual memory
• Allows computer to run multiply of programes - mulittask

Memory - RAM

The term RAM is an acronym.
State what the initials RAM stand for:
Random Access Memory

Explain why this type of memory is 'random access' and how this affects the speed at wich data can be retrieved from it.
RAM is a type of random access memory as you can change any party of the ram in any (random) order and you dont need to start at the first memory place, therefore is quciker so data can doesnt need to travel as far and so recievced at a quicker speed.

What is the main function of RAM in a computer?
The main function of RAM, in a computer, is to store data in the memory. RAM allows you to store read, rewrite, and change data without the need of the first memory location.

In what form is data saved in RAM?
Data in the RAM is saved as Binary.

How much data can be saved in each memory location?
1 byte or 8 bits or data can be saved in each memory location

The main RAM in a computer is made up of dynamic RAM or DRAM.

 - Why is it referred to as dynamic?
It is refered to as dynamic because it is memory that has to be constantly refreshed or it will lose its contents (-data it is storing)   
List the differences between dynamic RAM and static RAM

• Static RAM does not need to be refreshed, Dynamic RAM does
• Therefore; Static RAM is quicker as it has no need to refresh and so supplys data to the CPU more rapidly
• Therefore; because of its benefits, Static RAM is more expensive

                                              

 

Group 11 - Home Server