Memory and Storage Quiz

RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily stores data and instructions that are currently being used or processed by the CPU, allowing faster access compared to fetching from storage devices.

Volatile memory requires power to retain data, meaning it loses its content when the power is turned off (e.g., RAM). Non-volatile memory retains its data even when the power is off (e.g., ROM, SSDs, HDDs).

Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory located close to the CPU, used to store frequently accessed data or instructions, which improves processing speed by reducing the time it takes to access data from main memory.

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a form of secondary storage that uses spinning magnetic platters to read and write data. It is typically used for storing large amounts of data on a long-term basis.

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage device that uses flash memory to store data. It is faster, more durable, and consumes less power than an HDD, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing.

When RAM is described as volatile, it means that the data stored in it is erased when the computer is powered off. This is because RAM requires a constant power supply to maintain the information it holds.

Primary storage refers to memory that is directly accessible by the CPU (e.g., RAM, cache memory), whereas secondary storage refers to devices used for long-term storage of data (e.g., hard drives, SSDs, optical discs).

Virtual memory allows a computer to use a portion of the hard drive as if it were additional RAM, enabling the system to handle larger workloads than the physical RAM can accommodate, though it is slower than actual RAM.

Memory capacity refers to the amount of data a storage device or memory can hold. For example, a hard drive might have a capacity of 1TB, meaning it can store 1 terabyte of data.

Optical discs (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays) are slower than SSDs because they rely on laser technology to read and write data, which is much slower compared to the fast electronic processes used by SSDs to access data.