IT 231: IT and Application
Primary memory is the working memory the CPU can access directly.
Volatile: loses its contents when power is off.
Read and write. Holds the programs and data in use right now.
Non-volatile: keeps its contents without power.
Mostly read. Holds firmware and start-up instructions.
Click each memory type to assign it to the correct category.
More RAM lets you run more programs at once and work with larger files.
Uses flip-flop circuits (6 transistors per bit). No refresh needed.
Very fast, expensive, low density.
Used for CPU cache.
Uses 1 transistor and 1 capacitor per bit. The capacitor leaks, so it is refreshed thousands of times per second.
Cheaper, denser, slower than SRAM.
Used for main memory.
Click a property card. Select SRAM or DRAM, then reveal the answer.
Modern DRAM transfers data twice per clock cycle (Double Data Rate).
| Generation | Transfer rate | Voltage | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR | 200–400 MT/s | 2.5 V | 2000 |
| DDR2 | 400–800 MT/s | 1.8 V | 2003 |
| DDR3 | 800–1600 MT/s | 1.5 V | 2007 |
| DDR4 | 1600–3200 MT/s | 1.2 V | 2014 |
| DDR5 | 3200–6400+ MT/s | 1.1 V | 2020 |
Each generation is faster, uses less power, and holds more per module.
ROM keeps its data without power and stores permanent start-up instructions.
| Type | How it is written or erased | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mask ROM | Written at the factory; cannot change | Mass-produced devices |
| PROM | Programmed once by burning fuses | Custom firmware |
| EPROM | Erased with UV light through a quartz window | Development and prototyping |
| EEPROM | Erased electrically, byte by byte | BIOS chips, settings |
| Flash | Erased electrically in blocks | SSDs, USB drives, phones |
Read the description, then click the matching ROM type to reveal if you are correct.
| Feature | RAM | ROM |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Volatile | Non-volatile |
| Operation | Read and write | Mostly read |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Capacity | Larger | Smaller |
| Purpose | Active programs and data | Firmware and boot code |
| Without power | Data lost | Data kept |
Each row shows an attribute. Click the correct winner — RAM or ROM.
| Attribute | RAM | ROM |
|---|
Boot sequence: power on → BIOS/UEFI runs from ROM → POST checks the hardware → bootloader and operating system load into RAM → applications run from RAM.
Click the steps in the correct order from power-on to OS ready.
Your sequence (click to add):
Revise the chapter note before writing these answers.
Read the full note: Types of Computer Memory (RAM and ROM)