Question

Pick the correct sequence which is in the decreasing order of storage capacity.

• A. Primary Memory, Magnetic Disk, CPU Registers, Cache
• B. CPU Registers, Cache, Primary Memory, Magnetic Disk
• C. Magnetic Disk, Primary Memory, Cache, CPU Registers
• D. CPU Registers, Primary Memory, Cache, Magnetic Disk

Hint:

When studying storage devices, remember: - Primary storage (like RAM) is faster and has a larger capacity than secondary storage (like Magnetic Disks). - Cache and CPU Registers are extremely fast but have the smallest capacity in the hierarchy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Understanding the Storage Hierarchy

The storage hierarchy consists of various types of memory, each with different capacities and speeds. Generally, as you move toward faster memory, the storage capacity decreases.

Storage Types and Their Capacities

• Primary Memory (RAM): While it is fast, it has a much larger capacity compared to cache and CPU registers. RAM is used to store data and programs that are currently in use.
• Magnetic Disk: These are secondary storage devices (like HDDs) with large storage capacity but are significantly slower than primary memory.
• CPU Registers: Located within the CPU, these are the smallest and fastest memory units, used for temporary storage of data and instructions during processing.
• Cache: This is a small, high-speed memory located between the CPU and RAM, used to store frequently accessed data. It has the smallest capacity among all.

Decreasing Order of Storage Capacity

The correct decreasing order of storage capacities is:

Primary Memory (RAM) > Magnetic Disk > CPU Registers > Cache

Quick Tip: Remember: Faster memory usually has smaller capacity, and slower memory usually has larger capacity.