Types of components

and computer systems

Memory: RAM and ROM
 Memory: RAM and ROM

Learning Question – C
Can I identify the internal hardware components called RAM
and ROM?
learning questions

Learning Question – B
Can I explain the uses of RAM and ROM in a computer system?

Learning Question – A
Can I explain the differences between RAM and ROM?
Memory
A computer system has primary storage and secondary
storage.

Secondary storage is a computers hard drive where data is

stored long term.

Today we will look at the primary storage.

memory
Primary storage is a way of storing data so that the CPU
can access that data in a relatively fast time when
compared to a secondary storage.

There are two types of memory that we must know about:

• Random Access Memory
• Read Only Memory.

These two types of memory perform vastly different

functions.
memory
read only memory
Read Only Memory (ROM) is a memory chip on the
motherboard and is a method of storing data permanently.

The amount of data it can store is very small.

ROM cannot be edited or changed by the user, it is READ

ONLY.

ROM is non-volatile.
read only memory
ROM memory stores the BIOS (Basic input and output
system).

BIOS is the program that is responsible for checking that

the components of the computer are working and then
loading the operating system when the computer is turned
on.
read only memory
The computers ROM also stores a CMOS chip.

The CMOS chip stores the user settings such as language,

time, date and font so that they are not lost when the
computer is turned on.
CMOS
task
• Create a spider diagram in your ICT book which
identifies the key features of ROM.

• What is the BIOS and what does it store?

• What is the CMOS used to store?

RAM
random
access memory
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the memory that most
of you will likely have heard of.

RAM is the part of the computer that temporarily

stores the instructions that the computer is running, and
the data it is processing.
random
access memory
RAM does not have to be able to store data while the
computer is off.

It is used as a temporary store for the programs and data

that are currently in use.

When the computer is turned off the data is lost. As such

we refer to RAM a volatile memory.
random
access memory
When you open a program it is retrieved from secondary
storage and placed into RAM.

From that point forward you use the copy of the program
in RAM and any data produced is also stored in RAM.

It is stored in the RAM so that the CPU can access the

data faster without causing delay.
random
access memory
When you close a program or save a document that is then
stored back on the secondary storage device for long term
storage.

The version on the RAM is removed and that space is

available for other documents and programs to be opened.
random
access memory
RAM has a large capacity that can be measured in
Gigabytes.

This is still much smaller than the capacity of a hard

drive.

A standard computer system will have between 4-32GB or

RAM.