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Computer Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory)​

  • Stores currently running code/OS and relevant data
  • Volatile memory, meaning contents are lost if system is shutdown
  • Most RAM is on/connected to the motherboard
    • However, some SRAM (also called cache) is within the processor package.
  • Accessing information from a hard drive is (approx) 1mil times slower than from RAM.

ROM (Read-Only memory)​

  • Found on adapters and accessory devices
  • Not cleared on shutdown

Module Types​

  • SDRAM: Fast burst address
  • DDR: Double data rate
  • DDR(2-4L)

Memory features​

  • parity: doubling to check for accurady
  • ECC: error correcting code - automaticalyl fixes up to 4-bit memory errors

Disk caching (swap)​

  • Swap partition: address space that's raw block area on the harddrive
  • Swap file: pre-allocated file within an existing disk partition
  • Swap spaces are part of the overall address space, and share it with all normal RAM

Monitoring Memory​

In task manager, click "more details", then click on "memory."

Flash Memory​

... is a storage medium using solid-state non-volative chips. Used in mobile devices, portable devices like thumb drives & sd cards