Memory Organization for SSC CGL Tier 2, Types, Hierarchy & Storage Devices

The Memory Organization topic in SSC CGL Tier 2 Computer Awareness checks your understanding of how data is stored, managed, and retrieved in a computer system. Questions are mostly conceptual and direct, so having clarity on types of memory and their functions will help you score easily. This article covers SSC CGL Tier 2 Memory Organization, including types of memory, primary vs secondary memory, memory hierarchy, storage devices, and key revision points.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Memory Organization Syllabus Coverage

In SSC CGL Tier 2, questions on Memory Organization usually come from:

  • Types of Memory (Primary, Secondary, Cache, Virtual)
  • Storage Devices (Hard Disk, SSD, Optical Media)
  • Memory Hierarchy
  • Characteristics of Memory (Volatile, Non-Volatile, Speed, Cost)

Types of Computer Memory

Memory in a computer is broadly divided into two categories: Primary (Main Memory) and Secondary (Storage Memory). Primary memory is directly accessible by the CPU, while secondary memory stores data permanently.

Type of MemoryDescriptionExamples
Primary MemoryFast, volatile memory used for processing.RAM, Cache
Secondary MemoryPermanent storage, slower than primary.Hard Disk, SSD, DVD
Cache MemoryVery high-speed memory between CPU and RAM.L1, L2, L3 Cache
Virtual MemoryPortion of secondary storage used as extended RAM.Swap Space in OS

Primary vs Secondary Memory

To answer SSC CGL questions easily, you should know the clear difference between Primary and Secondary Memory.

FeaturePrimary MemorySecondary Memory
SpeedVery FastSlower
VolatilityVolatile (data lost when power off)Non-volatile
AccessDirectly accessed by CPUNeeds Input/Output operations
CostExpensiveCheaper
CapacitySmall in size (GBs)Large (GBs to TBs)

Also check out: SSC CGL Typing Test Errors to minimize your errors in Data Entry Speed Test.

Memory Hierarchy (Speed & Cost)

Memory is organized in a hierarchy based on speed, cost, and capacity.

LevelMemory TypeSpeedCostCapacity
TopCPU RegistersFastestVery HighVery Small
HighCache MemoryVery FastHighSmall
MiddleRAM (Main Memory)FastMediumModerate
LowSecondary StorageSlowLowVery Large

The higher you go in the hierarchy, the faster but costlier the memory is.

Storage Devices and Examples

Storage devices are part of secondary memory and are commonly asked in exams.

Device TypeExamplesNature
Magnetic StorageHard Disk Drives (HDD), Floppy DisksNon-volatile
Optical StorageCD, DVD, Blu-RayNon-volatile
Solid-State StorageSSD, Pen Drive, Memory CardNon-volatile

Key Takeaways

Below are the key points for quick revision:

  • RAM is volatile, while ROM and Hard Disk are non-volatile.
  • Cache memory is faster than RAM.
  • Virtual memory is created by OS to extend RAM.
  • Registers are the fastest memory in a computer.
  • SSC CGL mostly asks direct difference-based or abbreviation-based questions.

FAQs


Q1. What is Memory Organization in SSC CGL Tier 2?

Ans. It tests your understanding of how data is stored, managed, and retrieved in a computer system.

Q2. What are the main types of computer memory?

Ans. Primary (RAM, Cache), Secondary (HDD, SSD, Optical), Cache, and Virtual memory.

Q3. What is the difference between primary and secondary memory?

Ans. Primary memory is fast, volatile, directly accessed by CPU; secondary memory is slower, non-volatile, and used for permanent storage.

Q4. What is Memory Hierarchy?

Ans. Memory hierarchy organizes memory by speed, cost, and capacity, with registers at the top and secondary storage at the bottom.

Q5. Which are common storage devices asked in exams?

Ans. Hard Disk, SSD, CD/DVD, Pen Drive, and Memory Cards.