This key facts covers Quick Reference - Key Points within RAM and ROM for GCSE Computer Science. Revise RAM and ROM in Memory & Storage for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 16 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 10 of 10 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 10 of 10
Practice
15 questions
Recall
16 flashcards
Quick Reference - Key Points
RAM Summary:
- Volatile - loses data when power off
- Read/write - fast in both directions
- Stores: running programs, open files, OS, active data
- Temporary - cleared on shutdown
- Larger capacity (4GB-32GB typical)
ROM Summary:
- Non-volatile - keeps data without power
- Read-only - cannot easily change (or very slow write)
- Stores: BIOS/UEFI, boot instructions, firmware
- Permanent - rarely changes (firmware updates only)
- Smaller capacity (few MB typical)
Memory Hierarchy (Fastest to Slowest):
- CPU Registers: Tiny (bytes), inside CPU, fastest
- CPU Cache (L1/L2/L3): Small (KB-MB), on CPU, very fast
- RAM: Medium (GB), main memory, fast
- ROM: Small (MB), firmware storage, moderate speed
- SSD: Large (GB-TB), permanent storage, slower than RAM
- HDD: Largest (TB), permanent storage, slowest