If you order your cheap term paper from our custom writing service you will receive a perfectly written assignment on The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002. What we need from you is to provide us with your detailed paper instructions for our experienced writers to follow all of your specific writing requirements. Specify your order details, state the exact number of pages required and our custom writing professionals will deliver the best quality The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002 paper right on time.
Our staff of freelance writers includes over 120 experts proficient in The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002, therefore you can rest assured that your assignment will be handled by only top rated specialists. Order your The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002 paper at affordable prices!
Computer memory is an area where data is stored on a semi conductor chip. Its a tiny board made of silicon and
geranium rather than on some other storage medium, such as hard drive, compact disc or tape cartridge. The
data can be stored permanently or temporarily on the chip. In a computer, memory is a necessity, and the more
the better. For the most part, the user has little interaction directly with the memory unless of course you try to
Help with essay on The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002
open several applications at one time, then you may receive an error message in response. But understanding
how memory works, can give you a better understanding how the PC works as a whole.
Memory isnt just one single unit. It includes several components working together within the PC. The most
commonly known type is RAM which stands for Random Access memory. This is the computers main memory.
RAM is the area of the computer where data is temporarily held while an application or the operating system is
using it. Another type of memory known as ROM, Read Only Memory retains data permanently.
Rom is an area of memory that contains data that maybe accessed but not altered. Calculators and digital
watches contain ROM. In a computer ROM is on a memory chip that either plugs into or is soldered onto the
motherboard. Computer contain only a small amount of ROM just enough to support the BIOS (Basic
Input/Output System). The BIOS is a set of instructions that control the computers startup process, activated the
hardware components and loads the operating system. Because the ROM chip in a computer only contains the
BIOS, its sometimes referred to as the BIOS ROM.
BIOS used to be permanently placed in the ROM by the memory manufacturer, but as time went by it proved to
be quite inconvenient especially to manufacturers that needed to upgrade the BIOS. To solve this, several types
of PROM (Programmable ROM) were developed. PROM chips were not inscribed with data during the
manufacturing process. These blank chips were sold to computer manufacturers and resellers who use a special
piece of hardware called a PROM programmer to burn the chips.
There are several different types of PROM, including EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically
Erasable PROM, and flash memory which is a type of EEPROM. Data contained in these types of PROM can
be erased and updated as needed using a PROM programmer or a special software application.
RAM
RAM is the type of memory referred to as the main memory. It has the largest area of chip based memory
storage in the computer system. All data contained in RAM is held there temporarily until it is no longer needed
or the computer is turned off. RAM gets its name from the fact that it is allowed to be accessed randomly. That
mean the CPU (Central Processing Unit); is the device that interprets and carries out instructions can access
RAM data directly, in a non-linear fashion. The name RAM comes from its comparison with the first forms of
computer memory, which stored data in a linear format.
Every PC contains at least two types of RAM DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and SRAM (Static RAM). Additionally
most systems contain some form of peripheral RAM. Video memory is the most popular form of peripheral
RAM but many printers contain peripheral RAM.
Dynamic RAM is usually what we refer to when talking about RAM. DRAM is one of the most active
components in a PC. Almost everything seen on a PC screen is held temporarily in DRAM. Many PCs sold
today come equipped with at least 18MB of DRAM.
In DRAM data exists in an array, which is a type of grid containing thousands of neatly arranged bits of data.
The array must be electronically refreshed hundreds of times every second in order to maintain its charge retain
its data. if the array loses power, even for one second, all the data it held is erased. That explains why a
computer user should use the Save command at every opportunity.
DRAM technology has undergone many changes since the first PC hit the market. During the last six years
alone at least half a dozen types of DRAM has had an impact on the market. Every new type of DRAM
promises to run faster amd more efficiently than its predecessors. Most systems sold today come equipped with
SDRAM (Synchromous DRAM).
Originally DRAM was contained on memory chips that were soldered to the motherboard. These chips held
only a small amount of DRAM. An entire system may have contained only about 8KB or 16KB, but consumed
a relatively large amount of space. But as PCs evolved and DRAM increased it became necessary to find a more
efficient means of connecting memory chips the motherboard. The solution came in the form of SIMMs (single
inline memory modules), which were either 0 pin or 7 pin expansion cards that plugged into slots the
motherboard. Later a 7 pin and a 168 pin DIMM (dual inline memory modules) were developed. DIMMs
provide faster data access and more efficient memory storage than SIMMs. Another type of DRAM became
available called RDRAM or Rambus DRAM. This technology is significantly faster than the DRAM on most
computers. RDRAM derives its speed from a proprietary signaling technology that allows the memory module
to operate at speeds of 800MHz. (One megahertz equals one million cycles per second).
Typical DRAM run at speeds between 66MHz and 1MHz. The most popular promoter for DRRAM is Intel.
This company produced several chipsets including the popular Intel 80 and 840specifically for the purpose of
supporting RDRAM technology. RDRAM along with an improved version of DRDRAM are stored on in-line
memory modules called RIMMs. RIMMs are almost identical to DIMMs except that RIMMs come in 184 pin
model. Because RDRAM runs at such a high speed, the RIMMs also include a built in heat shield to protect the
memory chips from overheating. Another difference between RIMMs and DIMMs is cost. You can expect to
pay twice as much for a RIMM than a DIMM. RDRAM can be found on higher end Pentium desktops
like Gateway and Dell.
Static Ram does not need to be continuously refreshed in order to retain data. This makes it faster and more
stable than DRAM. However, there is a price for speed and stability so SRAM costs quite a bit more than
DRAM. For this reason SRAM is usually found only in L1 (level 1) and L (level ) caches which are used for
holding areas between the main memory and the CPU. These caches make up for DRAM deficiencies by
holding the most frequently accessed data.
On newer systems, the L1 cache is a memory chip contained within the CPU. Thats why the L1 cache is often
referred to as internal memory. it is also known as internal memory. It is also known as primary cache as it is
the first place the CPU looks for data.
The L cache is usually located in a separate chip between the CPU and DRAM and is referred to as external
memory. It is also known as the secondary cache because its the second place the CPU looks the data. L cache
is larger than L1 cache.
Peripheral Ram as mentioned before include memory found in video cards and printers. This type of RAM
temporarily holds data that travels between a peripheral and the rest of the system.
Video RAM or VRAM is one of the most common peripheral RAM. Its usually located on the video card but
maybe built into the motherboard on some older systems. VRAM differs for RAM because two devices can
access it at the same time. This capability lets VRAM receive data from the CPU or the Graphics accelerator at
the same time it transmits data to the monitor. RAM on a video card isnt necessarily VRAM. Many video cards
use some form of DRAM as video memory. Video cards sold typically today contain between 8MB and
18MB. For example Leadtek WinFast A50 Ultra TD, which is a higher end Video card, referenced from the
following URL. (http//www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/overview/0,106,56180,00.html)
A good reference for purchasing and comparing prices for video cards is http//www.zdnet.com.
Printer memory often referred to as printer buffer momentarily holds incoming data until the printer is ready to
print it. This lets the CPU perform other tasks without waiting for the printer to print a lengthy print job. The
printer buffer can be anywhere from 4MB to 8MB of DRAM.
Ive explained about the various types of RAM found in a PC. Now I will explain how they work together with
the CPU and the storage devices to process and manage data within the PC. Ill briefly explain the components
of the PC and how the memory interacts with them.
The CPU is like the brain of the PC with its primary function to process, manage and do all the thinking. It
performs calculations, recognizes relationships and makes decisions. But before it can do any of this, it requires
some data to work on. This data is kept in three separate places, ROM, RAM, and the computer storage devices.
Each has an important role.
ROM provides the most secure and permanent form of data storage in a PC, and is like the human memory that
remembers information like how to walk or speak your native language. This data is built into the infrastructure
of the PC and cannot be changed easily. Two types of RAM provide the computers with short-term memory.
SRAM is like a short-term memory that lets you remember the first half of a sentence so that you can make
some sense of the second half. DRAM on the other hand is like the type of short-term memory that helps you
remember where you parked your car or what you need to buy at a store. Either way, the data here can be
quickly replaced with something else.
Storage devices are like long-term memory holding data for extended periods of time. In a human this type of
memory helps you remember significant information such as your name, date of birth or teachers name. In a
PC, the storage devices let you store important documents, financial records and other data you dont want to
lose.
All forms of computer memory store data as electronic signals or pulses. Each signal represents a single bit of
data. In conventional ROM, the memory chip has built in, permanent signals. In RAM and newer versions of
ROM, the signals are established by an electronic charge. ROM can retain data after the electronic charge ends,
but RAM cannot. When RAM loses power, the signals that represent the data are lost. The first time memory
comes into play in the system is when you turn the power button on of the PC. The PC is hand-wired to look in
the BIOS ROM immediately upon startup. The BIOS activates various components, including the keyboard and
disk drives, and initializes the operating system. At that point the operating System takes over. It controls how
much DRAM is allocated to each application and to the Operating System. When you open an application the
CPU copies the data from the hard drive and, while processing it, it transfers it to DRAM where it resides while
the application remains open. The data is placed in a specific location as determined by the OS. The system bus
shuttles data between DRAM, L1 and L caches, and the CPU. While all this goes on, the CPU continuously
transmits display data to the video card. If the video card has a graphic accelerator, the accelerator gathers and
processes the data. A small portion of video memory is allocated to assist the accelerator in this task. The rest
of the video memory is used as a frame buffer where the display data is organized into individual images before
appearing on screen. The process is similar if you decide to print some data in the print buffer, which holds the
data and compiles it into a printable page. When you use the applications Save mode, the data stored in RAM is
copied to the selected storage device. When you close the application, the data should clear out of both DRAM
and SRAM. Sometimes the data doesnt clean out. If too much data remains in RAM, the system will lock up
unexpectedly.
History and Development of RAM
Memory has come a long way, not only in quantity, but also in terms of quality and price. There are a few
reasons for that. First is that memory must be able to keep up with the processor. In the early days this wasnt
much of a problem as the processors rate was only about 5MHz. But due to recent technological developments
in CPUs have made the task of keeping up a more difficult thing to do. It took Intel nearly twenty five years to
produce a 150MHz chip, and took them less than two years to produce one less than three times as fast. A PC
may contain a processor capable of running at 50MHz, but if the memory has a maximum capability of
1MHz, the CPU wont be able to function at its optimum speed. Trying to keep up with the CPU is the reason
why so many different versions of DRAM are on the market. In addition to SDRAM, a very common type of
DRAM, many systems sold today may contain DDR SDRAM (Double data rate SDRAM) and RDRAM. Older
computers may have used FPM DRAM and EDO DRAM (See glossary at end for definitions). So the
development of the CPU has increased the rate of development of the memory required in recent years. But
even software developers can be partly blamed or credited for that because software developers have pushed
their products to do more and to do it faster and more conveniently for the end user. Looking at the progression
of the Operating System indicates how the demand for more has changed personal computing.
In 10, most PCs ran the text based DOS OS. DOS had very few built in functions and made few demands on
a system serving mainly as a platform on which to run computer applications. It was however boring and ugly
to use for users especially beginners.
Compare that to Windows XP. Windows XP is more than an operating system. Its a communication base, and
entertainment center and an office assistant. Not only does it look sharp and supports over 16 million colors, it
plays music and motion video. This type of computer requires a sophisticated computer system and a lot more
memory. Multi media capabilities have pushed memory requirements up for all PCs. And all that has increased
the price of PCs.
Fortunately the price of memory has been on the decline for the past few years, In 15 one megabyte of
memory cost about $5 but in 00 that much memory can be obtained for less than 50 cents. The reason for
the steep price cut is due to over production. Prior to 15 memory manufacturers could not keep up with the
demand. The price of RAM went up, the cost of production went down, and memory manufacturers made
healthy profits. This caused a reaction in the industry. In 15 several companies built Fabs (laboratories where
memory chips are built) to capitalize in the memory market. The average Fab cost $.5 billion to build and
lasted about three to four years before its technology became obsolete. Memory manufacturers had a lot of
memory to sell fast to recover its costs. Thats easy when the demand is high and supply is low. But as the
market became saturated. The supply of memory exceeded the demand and so the price of memory declined
tremendously. The manufacturers who had invested enormous amounts of capital had no choice but to produce
even more memory chips to make up for the low prices. This saturated the market even more. As a result the
cost per megabyte of memory dropped more than 0% in a two year period, between 15 and 17.
For the Future of Memory
Since 17 prices have stabilized and the future is looking good. Systems will continue to come equipped with
even greater amounts of DRAM. prices for memory should remain stable as demand remains high. And new
memory technologies like DRDRAM and DDRSDRAM should eliminate the gap between processor and
memory speed. Soon system memory might make a big leap to the CPU. This could eliminate concerns about
speed because the data transfer rate will decrease to almost zero nanoseconds. It might take three to five to even
ten years for this to happen, but at some point those memory modules in PCs might become part of history.
Please note that this sample paper on The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002 is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002, we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom college papers on The Different Types of RAM and its Development dated Nov 2002 will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.
Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!