If you’re a computer enthusiast, then chances are you have heard or already know about ROM. But for our readers who aren’t familiar with these types of terminologies, we’ve got you covered. It functions as a type of storage device for computers. After you have already turned your computers off, the ROM keeps that data for you whenever you turn your PC back on.
It works more like your long-term memory, as it keeps information permanently on computers and other devices. Additionally, it also executes other input/output tasks on your computer that would enable software and programs to smoothly run on your computer whenever you access them. If you want to know about ROM in details, you can just read further in our article.
Read-Only Memory
Just what we have said above, Read Only Memory is responsible for retaining information on your computer long after you have shut it down. Technically speaking, it is a type of non-volatile memory. Since it is only named as “read-only,” it cannot be altered or changed in any way. It is non-volatile and permanent, which means that the information can be kept even when your device has lost its power source.
Things to Have to Know About ROM
Frequency
A ROM’s frequency is different from one device to another. EPROM or Erasable Programmable ROM chips are the ones that enable users to rewrite or write them as much as they want. This releases a certain frequency of UV or ultraviolet light.
Capacity
A ROM chip bears BIOS information in a computer with all the other essential pieces of information. Since it only needs to store this, its capacity shouldn’t be that much, and only a few megabytes would be more than enough. Normally, each ROM chip can only keep four to eight megabytes.
Latency
An important part of a CPU design is your ROM latency, which refers to the number of times it takes for all the apps and programs to respond to a certain request. Whenever you give a command, the time it takes for your device to answer to your command is what the latency of your ROM is all about.
Uses of ROM
ROM is mainly utilized whenever you update your firmware, which is the information that is kept on the read-only memory of a device to assign instructions concerning how the device is to be used. Since the content stored in your ROM can only be edited and read with either not being able to do it or having difficulty, it will be acceptable to be used in updating your firmware.
A cartridge can be used for your ROM that enables a system to operate one or more games or programs simultaneously. Additionally, a Read-Only Memory is originally used for storing non-volatile information and is also included in the OS for BIOS.
How does it Work?
Almost every computer and electronic device isn’t able to function without a ROM. Without it, the data kept in your computer, that you can easily access whenever your computer is turned on, would be lost. How is the data not lost and can still be stored even without power?
For us to answer that question, we would be getting a bit technical with this. The general principle is that it is a type of integrated circuit. So, it is only logical that it should be manufactured in that specific way. It gives your device details on how to execute the functions that it was designed to do.
Takeaway
Computers aren’t only about the best graphics card or the best SSD. Sometimes, a small piece of a device can be very important in your computers, and without it, it would be rendered useless. You wouldn’t want your computer to lose your files whenever you turn it off, right?