Brainlag PlusRAM, ROM, cache and virtual memory: what each holds, how fast it is and what happens when RAM runs out.
Primary memory
| RAM | ROM | Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holds | programs and data in use now | the boot program (BIOS) | data and instructions used often |
| Volatile? | yes, lost when off | no | yes |
| Changes? | all the time | not in normal use | all the time |
| Speed | fast | fast | fastest |
Volatile means the contents are lost when the power goes off.
The rest of this lesson and its 7 practice questions are in Plus.
Screen 1 of 4, free to read.
- 7 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
- Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards