MEMORY AND PROCESSORS 1

UNIT 01 03. MEMORY AND PROCESSOR

Memory is used to store instructions which the processor executes those
instructions. Both the Processor and Memory plays a major role in the performance
of the system.

Primary MEMORY
Primary memory can be accessed faster than
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secondary memory
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There are 3 types of memory,

Memory

Random Access Memory Read Only Memory Flash Memory

(RAM) (ROM)

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

Ram is a volatile memory (temporary) .
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This means that data stored on the memory will be erased when the
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computer is switched off
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RAM plays are major role which it use to store programs that are in use. The more
RAM is available, more the programs can run at the same time.
 When the computer has no enough RAM to work with, it creates a virtual
memory by using the space from the secondary storage device but the virtual
memory is much slower than RAM.
 RAM obtains space once opened applications are closed, programs are moved
from the virtual memory back to the RAM to increase performance.

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 MEMORY AND PROCESSORS 2

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)

ROM stores data permanently . ROM is non volatile meaning that data is not
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lost when the computer is switched off or the power is turn off . ROM
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stores all boot up instructions which is used turn on off the computer
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ROM is generally used to refer to instructions which cannot be changed after

manufactured. Its full name is Mask Programmed Read Only Memory.
PROM is referred to as Programmable Read Only Memory. This is a ROM
manufactured where the instructions can be over written but only can be done once.
Since the computer system cannot swap instructions IN and OUT, it is only possible
to change the contents of some types of ROM so that the data can be updated. The
ROM’s are
EPROM ( erasable programmable read only memory )
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 EEPROM. ( electrically erasable

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EPROM :
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Data stores in EPROM can be erased by exposing it to strong ultraviolet (UV)
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light . Data stored in .
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EEPROM :
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EEPROM is erased by applying a voltage to one of the pins on the ROM chip . This
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means that you don’t have to remove the ROM chip to erase the contents of EEPROM
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RAM ROM
Non volatile memory Volatile memory
Data stored temporarily Data stored permanently
Instructions can be swapped easily Instructions can be swapped easily

Can be upgraded Cannot be upgraded

FLASH MEMORY
This is a Non-volatile memory and flash memory does not have any moving
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parts like a typical hard disk drive.
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Flash memory has a fast access time and a low power consumption.
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Eg.
SSD - Solid State Drive Pen Drive Memory Card

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 MEMORY AND PROCESSORS 3

PROCESSORS
Processor also termed as CPU, carry out software instructions. The CPU consists or 3 parts, mainly
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1.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
MU / Registers - Memory Unit
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ALU - Arithmetical and Logical Unit
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CU - Control Unit
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*Write below the 2 diagram of the CPU processor on the tute*
Processors which are made up with more than one CPU, each CPU is called a CORE.
Examples,
 Dual-Core, has 2 CPUs.
 Quad-Core, has 4 CPUs.
Which the number of cores work during each processor cycles.

Note -
Processors are measured in Clock cycles per second. This is the number of times per
second it carry out one or more instructions. Clock cycles are measured in hertz (Hz),
Kilohertz (KHz) and Gigahertz (GHz).

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 MEMORY AND PROCESSORS 4

The Computer Process

Secondary
Storage

Input RAM Output

MU

ALU

CPU

Data and instructions fed to the computer via an input

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device first go to the Primary Memory.(RAM)
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Then those are sent to the CPU for processing. The data
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is which is to be processed
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will be held by the MU and will be sent to ALU.
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The processed data (information) will be send back to
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the MU from ALU.
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From MU The processed data stored in the Primary
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Memory (RAM) as information

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 MEMORY AND PROCESSORS 5

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This information will be sent to the output device.
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The data and information which are needed to be
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stored for suture use are sent to the Secondary Storage
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Control Unit control the entire process which sends
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the control signals to all the devices attached to the
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computer system.
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Note
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The flow of the data and instruction is indicated by a
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dotted line
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The control signals are indicated by a solid line.
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