GCSE Computer Science Video transcript
Unit 3 Hardware – Memory
There are two main types of memory, Primary and Secondary.
Primary memory is accessed directly by the CPU, for example cache.
Cache memory is very small, but very fast, and it is stored close to the processor. It is used to store
frequently used instructions so that the processor does not have to go to other forms of memory,
which may be slower.
The second example of primary memory is RAM. This stands for Random Access Memory. RAM
stores all of your currently running data and instructions. For example, if you open a program then
it will be stored in your RAM. RAM is volatile. This means that when you turn your computer off,
everything in it is deleted.
The third type is ROM. ROM stands for Read Only Memory. In a computer system such as a
computer or a laptop, this will store the boot up instructions and will be very small in size. In other
devices such as embedded systems like washing machines, it may store all of the programs on
how to run the washing machine.
A second type of storage is Secondary.
This is any long term storage of data
and files. For example, your hard drive.
There are three main types of
secondary storage.
Optical, for example CDs and DVDS;
Solid State, such as a solid state hard
drive or a USB memory stick; and
finally Magnetic, such as a magnetic
hard drive or magnetic tape.
GCSE Computer Science Video Transcript
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