Memory Chip Definition

Memory chips hold memory via computer memory storage systems.

Computers process vast amounts of data. To retrieve this data when needed, computers rely on memory systems. Memory chips are an integral part of this process.

Definition

A memory chip is a microchip that holds program and data via different types of memory storage systems in a computer.

Types

A memory chip can hold memory temporarily via RAM, or random access memory. RAM is a temporary storage system that only stores data until retrieved by the processor, which later deletes it. Memory chips can also hold data permanently via ROM, read-only memory and PROM, programmable read-only memory. ROM memory contains permanently stored data the computer can quickly access, but cannot add to or modify. PROM memory is permanent memory that can be programmed by the PC user. Memory chips can also be modified into other permanent memory formats that can be erased and rewritten.

Fun Fact

In 1834, English mathematician Charles Babbage began construction on a mechanical computer-type device called the analytical engine, which used a kind of ROM in the form of punch cards.

References

• PCmag.com: Definition of Memory Chip
• "Principles of Computer Hardware"; Alan Clements; Oxford University Press; 2006

Resources

• "PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition"; Barbara Fritchman Thompson; O'Reilly Media; 2003