5. Random Access Memory or RAM
• RAM is the place in a computer where the operating system,
application programs, and data in current use are kept so that
they can be quickly reached by the computer's processor.
6.
7. • RAM can be compared to a person's short-term memory and the
hard disk to the long-term memory
• A typical computer may come with 256 million bytes of RAM and a
hard disk that can hold 40 billion bytes.
• RAM comes in the form of "discrete" (meaning separate)
microchips and also in the form of modules that plug into holes in
the computer's motherboard.
8.
9.
10. Read-only memory or ROM
• Read-only memory or ROM is a form of data storage in computers
and other electronic devices that can not be easily altered or
reprogrammed.
• ROM in non-volatile and the contents are retained even after the
power is switched off.
11.
12. Characteristics
RAM
• RAM chip is used in the normal operations of a computer after starting up
and loading the operating system.
• Much faster to read from and write
• Data in RAM stays there only as long as your computer is running
• A RAM chip can store multiple gigabytes (GB) of data, up to 16 GB or more
per chip
ROM
• Allows you to write data only once and after the data has been written, you
can read it an unlimited number of times
• A ROM chip is used primarily in the start up process of a computer
• A ROM chip typically stores only several megabytes (MB) of data, up to 4 MB
or more per chip
13.
14. Differences
RAM ROM
Stands For Random Access Memory Read-only memory
Use RAM allows the computer
to read data quickly to run
applications. It allows
reading and writing
ROM stores the program required to
initially boot the computer. It only
allows reading.
Volatility RAM is volatile i.e. its
contents are lost when the
device is powered off.
It is non-volatile i.e. its contents
are retained even when the device
is powered off
Types The two main types of RAM
are static RAM and dynamic
RAM.
The types of ROM include PROM,
EPROM and EEPROM
