Memory


RAM	ROM	Cache

Main memory is primary memory	Computers, just like humans have different types of memory. The two most important types of primary memory are RAM and ROM.

Random access memory (RAM) is temporary and volotile.	This means that it is dependent on the power supply. Anything in RAM is lost as soon as the power goes unless it is saved and stored in secondary memory (storage). It is constantly changing when the user is working at the computer. The size or capacity of RAM on a machine will determine how efficient it is at processing data.	This is the working memory of the computer
	Today's PCs have anything from 64Mb of RAM (working memory). When first switched on RAM is empty until a program is loaded into it. The user creates a file or document in RAM and it must be saved for retrieval again.
Read-only-memory (ROM) is permanent	Cannot be changed by the computer user.	It holds the instructions to boot-up your machine on start-up.

Cache memory	This is a buffer between the CPU and a storage device	It holds data in anticipation of being needed and thus speeds up the computer.