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Flip to reveal answersList primary memory from fastest to slowest.
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All 5 Flashcards — Primary memory
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Question
List primary memory from fastest to slowest.
Answer
Registers, then cache (L1, L2, L3), then RAM. Each step holds more and takes longer to reach.
Question
What is the purpose of cache?
Answer
To hold recently used data and instructions in a small, very fast store close to the CPU, so most requests avoid the slower trip to RAM.
Question
What is a cache hit and a cache miss?
Answer
A hit means the value is already in cache, so no trip to RAM is needed. A miss means it is not, so it is fetched from RAM and copied into cache for next time.
Question
What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
Answer
RAM is a large volatile working space holding programs in use; it empties when power is lost. ROM is small, non-volatile and read only, holding the start-up program.
Question
Why is data copied into cache after a miss?
Answer
Because programs tend to reuse the same values shortly afterwards, so caching it turns the next request into a hit.
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Full study notes for Primary memory
Topic 1.1 hub
Hardware and operation
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Computer Science exam skills
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