Memory Systems: A Comprehensive Guide for Computer Architecture

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of cache memory?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently accessed data and instructions to improve system performance.

Answer

To provide a secondary storage option for large files.

Answer

To enhance the performance of RAM.

Answer

To replace the need for ROM.

Question 2

What is the main advantage of using a hierarchical memory system in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Improved system performance by optimizing memory access times

Answer

Reduced cost of memory

Answer

Increased overall storage capacity

Answer

Lower power consumption

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a component found on a memory module?

Accepted Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips

Answer

Circuit board

Answer

Heat spreader

Question 4

What is the purpose of memory interleaving?

Accepted Answer

To increase memory bandwidth by accessing multiple memory banks simultaneously.

Answer

To reduce latency by prioritizing certain memory accesses.

Answer

To expand memory capacity by combining multiple memory modules.

Answer

To make memory more reliable by using redundant data storage.

Question 5

What is a key benefit of employing error-correcting code (ECC) in memory systems?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced data integrity by detecting and correcting errors.

Answer

Reduced memory latency by eliminating the need for error checking.

Answer

Increased memory bandwidth by optimizing data transfer.

Answer

Lower power consumption by reducing the number of memory accesses.

Question 6

Which type of memory loses its data when the computer is turned off?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Cache

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 7

What is the role of a cache memory in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently used data for faster access

Answer

To store the operating system

Answer

To provide permanent storage for programs

Answer

To manage memory allocation

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a type of read-only memory (ROM)?

Accepted Answer

DRAM

Answer

PROM

Answer

EPROM

Answer

EEPROM

Question 9

What is the main purpose of cache memory?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval

Answer

To store the operating system and essential programs

Answer

To back up data in case of a system failure

Question 10

Which type of ROM can be erased and reprogrammed?

Accepted Answer

EEPROM

Answer

PROM

Answer

EPROM

Question 11

How does a larger memory system typically impact a computer's performance?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the need for accessing slower storage devices, improving performance.

Answer

It increases the time required to access data, decreasing performance.

Answer

It has no significant impact on performance.

Question 12

What is the primary role of the memory controller in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To manage data flow between the CPU and memory

Answer

To store data temporarily before sending it to the CPU

Answer

To perform calculations on data stored in memory

Question 13

Which memory technology employs a stacked design?

Accepted Answer

HBM

Answer

DDR4

Answer

SDRAM

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of a memory address?

Accepted Answer

To uniquely identify a specific location within memory

Answer

To store the actual data

Answer

To indicate the size of the stored data

Question 15

Which memory allocation method allocates memory in fixed-size blocks of equal size to processes?

Accepted Answer

Partitioning

Answer

Paging

Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Virtual memory

Question 16

How does increasing the memory bandwidth of a computer system affect its overall performance, considering factors like data transfer rates and response times?

Accepted Answer

Enhances data transfer rates and reduces response times, improving system responsiveness.

Answer

Slows down system performance by decreasing data transfer rates and increasing response times.

Answer

Has no significant impact on system performance, as it doesn't affect data transfer rates or response times.

Answer

Improves data transfer rates but has no effect on response times, resulting in limited performance gains.

Question 17

Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when the computer is powered off?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

Solid-state drive (SSD)

Answer

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer

ROM

Question 18

What is the primary function of a memory controller?

Accepted Answer

To regulate the flow of data between memory and the processor.

Answer

To provide temporary storage for frequently accessed data.

Answer

To store data permanently.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a type of cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Level 5 cache

Answer

Level 2 cache

Answer

Level 1 cache

Answer

Level 3 cache

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of error correcting codes (ECC) in memory?

Accepted Answer

To detect and correct errors that occur during data transfer.

Answer

To reduce the cost of memory.

Answer

To increase the speed of data transfer.

Question 21

Which of the following is a type of non-volatile memory?

Accepted Answer

Flash memory

Answer

DRAM

Answer

SRAM

Answer

Cache memory

Question 22

What is the main advantage of using a hierarchical memory system?

Accepted Answer

It improves performance by providing faster access to frequently used data.

Answer

It reduces the cost of memory.

Answer

It increases the overall capacity of the memory system.

Question 23

Which technique is commonly used to enhance the performance of DRAM?

Accepted Answer

Row buffering

Answer

Error correction

Answer

Caching

Answer

Virtual memory

Question 24

What is the primary function of a memory address decoder?

Accepted Answer

To translate memory addresses into physical memory locations.

Answer

To manage the flow of data between memory and the processor.

Answer

To store the contents of memory.