Primary Storage

Definition

Primary storage that can also be known as main memory or internal memory is often referred
to simply as memory which is the only one directly accessible to the CPU (Central Processing
Unit). The CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and performs them as required.
Any data actively operated on is also stored there in a consistent way (Wikipedia, 2011).

Currently smaller computers, especially personal computers and workstations, the term
random access memory (RAM) is used as a substitute of primary or main storage whereby
the hard disk, diskette, CD, and DVD collectively describe secondary storage or auxiliary storage.
The terms main storage and auxiliary storage originated in the days of the mainframe computer
to distinguish the more immediately accessible data storage from storage that required
input/output operations. Primary storage is sometimes used to indicate storage for data that is
in active use in contrast to storage that is used for backup purposes.

Primary Storage Devices

A primary storage device is a component in computer that stores information for a short period
of time. A primary storage device must be distinguish from a primary storage drive, which
would be a hard drive that holds the operating system in computer, such as Local Disk (C:).

RAM
RAM, or random access memory, stores information that is being processed and offloads it at a
very fast rate to the motherboard of the computer so it can be sent to the north bridge, and
then for use to the GUI (graphic user interface), which allows the user to access the information
with the mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc. It is small-sized, light, but quite expensive at the same
time. The particular types of RAM used for primary storage are also volatile, for instance they
lose the information when not powered.
Processor Cache
The processor, also known as the CPU (central processing unit), processes information on
computer. To perform this operation, cache memory is needed to store the memory. The cache
memory transfers data at lightning fast speeds so it can be processed by the cores in the
processor. The cache memory holds a lot less space than RAM. However, the cache memory
makes up for that in absolute speed. Most actively used information in the main memory is just
duplicated in the cache memory, which is faster, but of much lesser capacity. Alternatively it is
much slower, but much larger than processor registers.

Processor Registers
The processor registers are the smallest of all primary storage devices. It is located inside the
processor. Each register typically holds a word of data (often 32 or 64 bits), which is sufficient
for very simple processes such as math calculations. However, registers are the fastest of all
forms of computer data storage. They are primarily used by the processor to handle
calculations used to operate the programs. The larger processes involving software and
operating system files are handled by the cache memory.
Sources

Casima, R. (2010, April 20). Examples of Primary Storage Devices. Retrieved January 16, 2011,
from eHow.com: http://www.ehow.com

Computer Data Storage. (2011, January 10). Retrieved January 16, 2011, from Wikipedia The
Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_data_storage

Primary Storage. (2005, August 17). Retrieved January 16, 2011, from SearchStorage.com:
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/sDefinition