Chapter 3 - Memory and Processors

Question 1

RAM vs ROM - Basic Difference

Front: What is the key difference between RAM and ROM?

Answer 1

Back: RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off) and can be written to and read from. ROM is non-volatile (retains data when power is off) and can only be read from, not written to.

Question 2

RAM Function

Front: What are the two main functions of RAM?

Answer 2

1. Loading programs from secondary storage and giving them to the processor
2. Holding programs that are currently running in the computer’s background

Question 3

RAM Features
Front: What are two key features of RAM?

Answer 3

1. Volatile (data lost when power is off)
2. Capacity can be upgraded in certain devices such as desktops and laptops

Question 4

Primary Memory Definition

Front: What is primary memory and how does it compare to secondary storage?

Answer 4

Back: Primary memory (RAM and ROM) can be accessed faster than secondary storage. It’s generally smaller in capacity, so finding files inside it is much faster than in secondary memory.

Question 5

ROM Definition

Front: What does ROM store and why is it non-volatile?

Answer 5

Back: ROM is non-volatile, meaning data is not lost when power is turned off. It contains programs like the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) which defines how the computer starts up.

Question 6

BIOS Function

Front: What is BIOS and when does it load?

Answer 6

Back: BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is stored in ROM. When you switch on your computer, BIOS is the first program to be loaded. Only after BIOS is loaded does the Operating System load.

Question 7

ROM Types

Front: What are the three types of ROM?

Answer 7

1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) - can be written to once
2. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) - erased with UV light
3. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) - erased with electrical charge

Question 8

RAM and ROM Comparison - Storage
Front: What does RAM store vs what does ROM store?

Hint: temporary & programs)

Answer 8

Back: RAM stores temporary data (instructions being processed and background programs). ROM stores permanent data (factory settings and start-up routines like BIOS).

Question 9

RAM and ROM Comparison - Accessibility

Front: Can instructions be swapped in and out of RAM and ROM?

Answer 9

Yes for RAM - instructions can be swapped in and out.

No for ROM - instructions cannot be swapped.

Question 10

RAM and ROM Comparison - Upgradeability

Front: Can RAM and ROM be upgraded?

Answer 10

Back: Yes for RAM (in some devices). No for ROM.

Question 11

Virtual Memory

Front: What is virtual memory and when is it created?

Answer 11

Back: When the computer system does not have enough space in RAM, the operating system creates virtual memory by using an area of secondary storage. This is much slower than accessing data from RAM, causing decreased system performance.

Question 12

Impact of RAM Size

Front: How does having more RAM affect computer performance?

Answer 12

Back: More RAM allows: 1. More programs to run simultaneously 2. Faster processing without relying on slow virtual memory 3. Better multitasking without the system getting stuck 4. Smoother performance for demanding tasks like gaming and HD video

Question 13

Secondary Storage Definition

Front: What is secondary storage?

Answer 13

Back: Secondary storage devices serve as an addition to primary storage. They consist of non-volatile memory, allowing users to permanently store data on them.

Question 14

Secondary Storage Types

Front: What are the three main types of secondary storage?

Answer 14

Back: 1. Optical Disk (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray) 2. Magnetic Disk/Hard Disk (HDD) 3. Flash Memory (SD cards, pendrives, SSDs)

Question 15

Storage Media vs Storage Device

Front: What is the difference between storage media and storage device?

Answer 15

Back: Storage media refers to the technology used to store data. Storage device refers to the device that stores the data. Example: A pendrive is a storage device, while Flash Memory is its storage media.

Question 16

Optical Disk Definition

Front: What is an optical disk and how does it work?

Answer 16

Back: An optical disk stores data digitally and uses laser beams (from a laser head mounted on an optical disk drive) to read and write data.

Question 17

Optical Disk Types

Front: What are the three types of optical disks and their capacities?

GB x2

Answer 17

Back: 1. CD (Compact Disk) - 700MB, 150Kbps, for small files 2. DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) - 4.7GB, 1352Kbps, for mid-sized files 3. Blu-Ray - 25GB, 54Mbps, for large files like HD videos

Question 18

Optical Disk Read/Write

Front: What is the difference between Read Only (R) and Re-Writable (RW) optical disks?

Answer 18

Back: Read Only (R) disks can only be written to once and then only read from. Re-Writable (RW) disks can be erased and rewritten to multiple times.

Question 19

Hard Disk Structure

Front: What are the main components of a hard disk?

Answer 19

Back: 1. Platters - circular plates that store data 2. Spindle - rotates the platters 3. Read/Write Head - moves on an arm across tracks on the platter to read/write data

Question 20

Spindle Speed

Front: What is spindle speed and why is it important?

Answer 20

Back: Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). It indicates how fast the spindle rotates. Higher rpm means faster data access, which is a very important specification for hard disk performance.

Question 21

Factors Affecting Hard Disk Speed

Front: What are the factors that affect the read/write speed of a hard disk?

Answer 21

1. Mechanical process (physical movement)
2. Latency (delay time)
3. Read/write head speed
4. Whether data is stored sequentially or non-sequentially
5. RPM (revolutions per minute) of the spindle 6. Number of platters/disks

Question 22

Flash Memory Definition

Front: What is flash memory and what are its benefits?

Answer 22

Flash memory is used in most modern storage devices.

Benefits:
1. Very high read/write speed
2. Very slim and light in weight
3. Consumes very little electricity (ideal for battery devices)
4. No moving parts (less prone to physical damage)

Question 23

Flash Memory Devices

Front: What storage devices use flash memory?

Answer 23

1. Memory Cards/SD Cards
2. Pendrives
3. Solid State Drives (SSD)

Question 24

SSD Characteristics

Front: What are the key characteristics of SSDs?

Answer 24

1. Store data using flash-based memory (much faster than traditional hard disks)
2. No moving parts (more resilient and speeds up computers)
3. Higher cost compared to HDDs
4. Extremely slim and lightweight (used in MacBooks)

Question 25

Magnetic Tape Front: What are the characteristics of magnetic tape storage?

Answer 25

1. Large storage capacity 2. Has only sequential access (must go through data in order, unlike random access) 3. Cheaper storage option 4. Can be rewritten and reused 5. Portable and secure (can be stored off-site)

Question 26

Processor Definition Front: What is a processor and what does it do?

Answer 26

Back: The processor converts data (instructions) into information. It receives data (instructions) from RAM and processes it into information. A processor is made up of one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs).

Question 27

CPU Cores Front: What are CPU cores?

Answer 27

Back: In processors made up of more than one CPU, each CPU is referred to as a core. For example, in a quad core processor, four cores are working during each processor cycle, doing up to four times as much work as a single-core processor.

Question 28

Multi-Core Benefits Front: What is a benefit of multi-core processors?

Answer 28

Back: Each core can run more slowly than in a single-core processor. This saves energy, produces less heat, requires less cooling, makes the computer quieter, reduces energy usage, and increases battery life for mobile devices.

Question 29

Processor Speed Measurement Front: How is processor speed measured?

Answer 29

Back: Processor speed is measured in clock cycles per second. This is the number of times per second the processor can carry out one or more instructions. Units: Hertz (Hz), Kilohertz (kHz), Megahertz (MHz), Gigahertz (GHz).

Question 30

Hertz Conversion Front: What does 1 Hertz mean in processor speed?

Answer 30

Back: 1 Hertz (Hz) means executing 1 instruction per second. 1 kHz = 1,000 instructions/second. 1 MHz = 1,000,000 instructions/second. 1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 instructions/second.

Question 31

Computer Memory Measurement Front: How is computer memory capacity measured?

Answer 31

Back: Memory can be measured in two formats: 1. Decimal Number System 2. Binary Number System. The smallest unit of data is 1 bit. 8 bits = 1 byte. 1 character = 8 bits.

Question 33

Decimal vs Binary - Kilobyte Front: How many bytes are in 1 Kilobyte in decimal vs binary?

Answer 33

Decimal: 1,000 bytes = 1 Kilobyte (KB). Binary: 1,024 bytes = 1 Kibibyte (KiB).

Question 34

Decimal vs Binary - Megabyte Front: How many KB are in 1 Megabyte in decimal vs binary?

Answer 34

Back: Decimal: 1,000 KB = 1 Megabyte (MB). Binary: 1,024 KiB = 1 Mebibyte (MiB).

Question 35

Decimal vs Binary - Gigabyte Front: How many MB are in 1 Gigabyte in decimal vs binary?

Answer 35

Back: Decimal: 1,000 MB = 1 Gigabyte (GB). Binary: 1,024 MiB = 1 Gibibyte (GiB).

Question 36

Decimal vs Binary - Terabyte Front: How many GB are in 1 Terabyte in decimal vs binary?

Answer 36

Back: Decimal: 1,000 GB = 1 Terabyte (TB). Binary: 1,024 GiB = 1 Tebibyte (TiB).

Question 37

Converting Small to Large Units Front: How do you convert from a small unit to a large unit (e.g., KB to GB)?

Answer 37

Back: DIVIDE. Example: 125,000,000KB to GB = 125,000,000KB ÷ 1000MB ÷ 1000GB

Question 38

Converting Large to Small Units Front: How do you convert from a large unit to a small unit (e.g., GB to bits)?

Answer 38

Back: MULTIPLY. Example: 10GB to bits = 10GB × 1000MB × 1000KB × 1000Bytes × 8Bits

Question 39

Binary Number System Powers Front: What are the first 10 powers of 2 in binary?

Answer 39

2^0 = 1 2^1 = 2 2^2 = 4 2^3 = 8 2^4 = 16 2^5 = 32 2^6 = 64 2^7 = 128 2^8 = 256 2^9 = 512 2^10 = 1024

Question 40

Converting Binary Units Front: How do you convert 32MiB to bits using binary?

Answer 40

Back: 32MiB × 1024KiB × 1024Bytes × 8Bits. The answer uses powers of 2: sight of 8 (2^3), sight of 1024, and complete multiplication.