Rambus, Memory Hierarchy

Presented By – Sujay J
Section – C
Usn - 1DB21CS151
Table of Contents
● Definition of Ram Bus
● Types of Ram
● Memory Heirarchy(Definition,Speed, Size & Cost)
Definition of Rambus

● A bus, or path, connecting RAM to the

microprocessor and devices in the computer that
used it.
Types of Ram

● There are two types of Ram, they are:

● Static Random Access Memory(SRAM)
● Dynamic Random Access Memory(DRAM)
Static Random Access Memory
SRAM (static RAM) is a type of random access memory (RAM)
that retains data bits in its memory as long as power is being
supplied. Unlike dynamic RAM (DRAM), which must be
continuously refreshed, SRAM does not have this requirement,
resulting in better performance and lower power usage. However,
SRAM is also more expensive than DRAM, and it requires a lot
more space.
Dynamic Random Access Memory
● Dynamic random-access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM) is a
type of random-access semiconductor memory that stores each bit of
data in a memory cell, usually consisting of a tiny capacitor and a
transistor, both typically based on metal–oxide–semiconductor
(MOS) technology. While most DRAM memory cell designs use a
capacitor and transistor, some only use two transistors. In the
designs where a capacitor is used, the capacitor can either be
charged or discharged; these two states are taken to represent the
two values of a bit, conventionally called 0 and 1.
Definition,Speed,Size & Cost
Definition of Memory Hierarchy :
● In the Computer System Design, Memory Hierarchy is an
enhancement to organize the memory such that it can minimize the
access time. The Memory Hierarchy was developed based on a
program behavior known as locality of references.The figure below
clearly demonstrates the different levels of memory hierarchy :
Speed, Size & Cost
The Computer memory hierarchy looks like a pyramid
structure which is used to describe the differences among
memory types. It separates the computer storage based on
hierarchy.
● Level 0: CPU registers
● Level 1: Cache memory
● Level 2: Main memory or primary memory
● Level 3: Magnetic disks or secondary memory
● Level 4: Optical disks or magnetic types or tertiary Memory
Speed, Size & Cost Continued...
● In Memory Hierarchy the cost of memory, capacity is inversely proportional to speed. Here the devices are arranged in a
manner Fast to slow, that is form register to Tertiary memory.
● Let us discuss each level in detail:

● Level-0 − Registers

● The registers are present inside the CPU. As they are present inside the CPU, they have least access time. Registers are

most expensive and smallest in size generally in kilobytes. They are implemented by using Flip-Flops.
● Level-1 − Cache

● Cache memory is used to store the segments of a program that are frequently accessed by the processor. It is expensive

and smaller in size generally in Megabytes and is implemented by using static RAM.
● Level-2 − Primary or Main Memory

● It directly communicates with the CPU and with auxiliary memory devices through an I/O processor. Main memory is

less expensive than cache memory and larger in size generally in Gigabytes. This memory is implemented by using
dynamic RAM.
● Level-3 − Secondary storage

● Secondary storage devices like Magnetic Disk are present at level 3. They are used as backup storage. They are cheaper

than main memory and larger in size generally in a few TB.

● Level-4 − Tertiary storage

● Tertiary storage devices like magnetic tape are present at level 4. They are used to store removable files and are the

cheapest and largest in size (1-20 TB).

Conclusion

Memory hierarchy is about arranging different kinds of storage

devices in a computer based on their size, cost and access
speed, and the roles they play in application processing. The
main purpose is to achieve efficient operations by organizing the
memory to reduce access time while speeding up operations.