Subject: Computer studies

Topic: Computer Memory

Std: V

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 Units of Measurement
 Computer memory is measured in bytes.

 A computer stores data in the form of ‘1’s’ and ‘0’s’.

 A group of 8 bits is called a byte. It can store one character.

 1 byte = 8 bits

The storage capacity of data storage devices is measured in

Gigabytes or even Terabytes.

1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes

1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB

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 Types of Computer Memory

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 Internal (Primary) Memory

Store data and programs that can be directly and quickly

accessed by the processor.
 The primary memory is expensive.
 The capacity of the primary memory is always less than
secondary memory.

Primary memory can be divided into two types:

• RAM
• ROM

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 RAM
(Random Access Memory)

 RAM is also called volatile or temporary

memory.
 It is a read/write memory.
 Used to store data and programs while they are
being executed or used.

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 ROM
(Read Only Memory)

 ROM is also called non-volatile or permanent

memory.
 It is a read-only memory.
 It contains a special software called the BIOS
(basic input / output system).
 BIOS is used to load the operating system.

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 External (Secondary) Memory

Stores data permanently until it is deleted or overwritten.

 The secondary memory is less expensive than primary
memory.
 The capacity of secondary memory is more.

Examples of storage devices

that serves as external memory

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 Hard disk
• It is permanently installed inside a computer.
• It consists of many circular metallic plates (disks) layered with
a magnetic coating.
• The hard disk can store a huge amount of data.

Types of hard disk

Internal External

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 CD (Compact Disc)
It is a small plastic disc that stores and retrieves data
using light.
Types of CD

CD–R CD–RW
(Compact Disc- (Compact Disc-
Recordable) ReWritable)

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 DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
• It can store 15 times more data than a CD.
• They are called versatile discs
Types of DVD

DVD–R (Digital DVD–RW(Digital

Versatile Disc Versatile Disk
Recordable) Rewritable)

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 Blu-ray Disc
It is developed for recording, rewriting and
playing back high-definition videos.
• A single layer Blu-ray disc can store up
to 25 GB.
• A double layer Blu-ray disc can store 50
GB high definition data.
Pen Drive
A pen drive (USB flash drive) is a portable
data-storage device.
• It is a small, lightweight, removable and
re-writeable plug and play device.
• Storage capacity ranging from 8 MB to
2 TB.

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 Memory card
An extremely small and flat flash drive used
especially in digital cameras and mobile
phones.

• It is available in various sizes.

• Storage capacities ranging up to 1 TB.
• Card readers are used to read the data.
from the memory card.

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