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Memory Hierarchy

The document discusses the memory hierarchy in computer systems, which includes primary (main) and secondary (auxiliary) memory. It outlines the characteristics of different memory types, such as volatility, access methods, and storage capacity, as well as the importance of minimizing access time for improved performance. Additionally, it highlights specific storage technologies like flash memory, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

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16 views8 pages

Memory Hierarchy

The document discusses the memory hierarchy in computer systems, which includes primary (main) and secondary (auxiliary) memory. It outlines the characteristics of different memory types, such as volatility, access methods, and storage capacity, as well as the importance of minimizing access time for improved performance. Additionally, it highlights specific storage technologies like flash memory, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

Uploaded by

veereshwartiwari3
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Memory hierchy

Memory Hierarchy

The memory unit is an essential component of many digital


computer system since it is needed for storing program and data
.The total memory capacity of a computer can be visualized as
being hierchy of components .

The memory Hierarchy


consists of all storage device employed
in a computer in a computer system
Memory hierarchy design is divided
in 2 parts. Secondary Memory
• ItPrimary
refers Memory
to the main memory such • It refers to the auxilary memory or
as random access memory External memory.
• It holds data and instructions that • It is used to store and retrieve data
are currently in use or information on long term basis
• It is a volatile memory • It is a non volatile memory
• Data is directly accessed by the • Data is not directly accessed by the
CPU. CPU.
• Data is loss when the devices • Data is enact even when the device
losses power losses power.
• Ex –RAM,ROM ,cache memory • Ex- HDD, CDD, Floppy Disk
Main memory and Auxlary memory
• Main Memory-Memory unit that communicates directly with CPU
• is called “Main Memory’’
• The device that provides backup storage is called
• “Auxilliary Memory.”
Flash memory & optical Disk
• Flash memory is a long-life and non-volatile storage chip that is
widely used in embedded systems. It can keep stored data and
information even when the power is off. It can be electrically erased
and reprogrammed.

• An optical disk is any computer disk that uses optical storage


techniques and technology to read and write data. It is a
computer storage disk that stores data digitally and uses
laser beams to read write data.
Magnetic tapes
• Magnetic tapes are used for storing large data bytes and other
backup information
Characterstics of memory hierarchy
• Capacity-It is the global volume of information that the memory can
store, as we move from top to bottom the hierarchy capacity
increases.
• Access time-It is the time interval b/w read and write request and
availability of data.
• Performance-Earlier when the computer system was designed
without memory hierarchy ,the gap increases b/w the CPU register
and memory due to large difference in access [Link] of the most
significant way to increase system performance is minimizing how far
the memory one has to go and manipulate data.
Characterstics of memory
hierarachy
[Link]: It is the global volume of information the memory can store. As we
move from top to bottom in the Hierarchy, the capacity increases.
Cost per bit- As we move from top to bottom in the hierarchy ,the cost per bit increases.
• Internal memory is costilier than external memory.

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