Difference Between Serial And Random Access Memory Images

Aug 30, 2015  Definitions Random Access Memory. RAM or Random Access Memory is a type of computer memory. It comes in the form of computer chips that give fast and temporary storage for computer data. The RAM holds the data and instructions the computer is currently working on.

Computer Hardware Overview Basic Definitions Hardware: The physical parts of a computer. Transistor: A tiny electrically operated switch that can alternate between 'on' and 'off'. Chip (aka Microchip aka Integrated Circuit): A tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of transistors and other electronic components.

Hardware Overview Modern-day computer systems usually contain, at a minimim, the following hardware components: • The System Unit • Motherboard (aka System Board): • CPU (Central Processing Unit) • Memory, such as RAM, ROM, Cache, and Flash • Ports • Expansion Slots • Secondary Storage, such as hard disk drives, CD-ROMs, etc. • Input / Output Devices • Communications Devices The System Unit • The Motherboard is the main circuit board for the computer, containing both soldered, nonremovable components along with sockets or slots for components that can be removed. The motherboard holds the CPU, RAM and ROM chips, etc. Bbmp tax paid receipt print. • The Central Processing Unit ( CPU) is the 'brain' of the computer.

It executes instructions (from software) and tells other components what to do. • The Intel Pentium is a popular processor for IBM-PCs. • The PowerPC is a popular processor for Macintoshes. • There are 2 parts of the CPU: The ALU and Control Unit. • The Arithmetic Logic Unit ( ALU) performs arithmetic operations (such as addition and subtraction) and logical operations (such as comparing two values). • An optional math co-processor can take the place of the ALU.

It performs the same operations, only it is faster. • The Control Unit deciphers and carries out instructions. • Different CPUs have different types of instructions, so software made for one type of CPU will not run on other kinds.

• The word size denotes how many bits of data a CPU can process at once. 32 bits is the standard word size for CPU's used in personal computers today. The higher the word size, the faster a CPU can execute instructions.

• The System Clock is an 'electrical pulse generator' that sends out a pulse of electricity at regular intervals. The electronic components of the computer need these electric pulses in order to perform work. The more pulses sent out by the system clock, the faster the computer. The first personal computers had clock speeds of 8 MHz (8 million pulses per second); today's PC's have clock speeds greater than 3.2 GHz (3.2 billion pulses per second).

• Bus Lines are 'electrical data roadways' (i.e. Wires) through which bits of information are transmitted between the CPU and other components. The bus size denotes how many bits can be transmitted at once. In general, this should be the same as the CPU word size. • Memory Chips • Random Access Memory ( RAM), also known as Main Memory or Primary Storage, is used to hold instructions and data while they are being used. RAM is volatile, meaning its contents are lost when the power goes off. RAM is more than 1000x faster than the fastest secondary storage (see below).

• Cache memory is special high-speed memory that temporarily stores instructions and data the CPU is likely to use frequently. This speeds up processing. Level 2 or external caches generally range in size from 64 Kilobytes to 2 Megabytes. • Read Only Memory ( ROM) chips are non-volatile memory that generally contains instructions for 'booting' the computer (i.e.