Memory chips are a type of semiconductor device that processes codes and stores information on computers. These chips consist of a multitude of transistors and capacitors for data storage connected to the system data bus via their output lines. These devices are crucial for computer systems for programming or data storage on a permanent or temporary basis.
Types of memory chips:
Depending on the applications, these chips are available in various types. These include:
- Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is essentially short-term, a volatile form of the central computer’s memory where data is stored temporarily. Other forms of RAM are also available, and varieties include:
- Read-only Memory- ROM
- Dynamic RAM- DRAM
- Static RAM- SRAM
- Non-volatile Static RAM- NVSRAM
- Non-volatile RAM- NVRAM
- Ferroelectric RAM- FRAM
- Read-only Memory (ROM)
ROM is a non-volatile memory for data stored permanently in readable form on computers. The ROM varieties consist of:
- Electrically erasable programmable ROM- EEPROM
- Erasable programmable ROM- EPROM
- Flash
- Mask ROM
- Programmable ROM- PROM
Categories of memory chips:
Memory chips are broadly classified into primary and secondary memory categories.
The chips in primary memory provide information straight to the central processing unit (CPU) with efficient access to the stored data within it. These chips are easier to access but have been confined to smaller storage spaces. An example of primary memory includes RAM.
Unlike primary memory, secondary memory differs by limiting access to the CPU directly. The chips in secondary memory retain the data for extended periods with large storage capacity. Hard disks, optical, and solid-state drives are the devices that serve as examples of secondary memory.
