Computer internal memory is used to store data that is used by the system at startup and to run various types of programs such as the operating system. Typically, internal memory is contained on small microchips that are either attached or connected to the computer's motherboard. Computer memory can range from a couple of megabytes to several gigabytes.
Processor Cache
The processor cache is memory that is used with the processor to facilitate the access of data from the system's mail memory or RAM. The processor cache typically consists of two levels, which are the L1 cache and the L2 cache. The L1 cache is directly accessed by the computer's processor and holds data that the processor needs to execute instructions. The L2 cache pulls information from the system's main memory, which is then accessed by the L1 cache.
RAM
The physical memory that is installed in a computer system is referred to as random access memory, or RAM. Programs such as the operating system use RAM to store running programs so that the system does not need to access the hard drive very often. RAM is volatile, which means it needs power from the computer in order to store data. Once the system is turned off the data is lost. RAM that is used in a computer system can range from 512 MB to 3 or more GB.
Video RAM
This type of memory can be contained on a graphics card or shared with the system's main memory or RAM. Video RAM is used to store information that is sent to a display device such as a computer monitor. RAM was added to graphics cards because programs such as games were becoming very graphics intensive. This required having separate RAM to store the graphics data instead of using the system memory. Video RAM can range from 256 MB up to 2 GB or more, depending on the type of graphics card.
Virtual Memory
Virtual memory is an area of the hard drive that a computer system uses as if it were physical RAM. The purpose of virtual memory is to have a place to store program data once the physical memory or RAM becomes full. Virtual memory is much slower than physical memory, but it is there when needed by the system. Virtual memory can be automatically determined by the system of set manually by the user.
Boot Memory
Boot memory or flash memory is the small amount of memory that the computer system uses to store the BIOS. The BIOS, or basic input/output system, contains information that tells the system components communicate with each other. The size of the boot memory is normally a few megabytes in size.
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