6.1.1 Identify the resources that need to be managed within a computer system.

Primary Memory (RAM) 

What it does

• Place where all data/programs currently being processed are kept

Common capacities

• Gigabytes (GB): 1/2/4/8/16

Effect on system if too limited

• If too little physical memory exists, the system will need to use secondary storage, which is much slower, by means of virtual memory.
• If virtual memory cannot be created or is insufficient, the program/data simply cannot be loaded.
• It influences how many processes can be done simultaneously.

Secondary Storage (HDD/SSD/Optical)

What it does

Place were data/program can be stored if powered is lost (RAM is volatile).

Common capacities
Gigabytes (GB) / Terabyte (TB):
 – HDD: 500GB / 1TB / 2TB
 – SDD: 256GB / 512GB
 – Optical: CD 650MB / DVD 4.7GB

Effect on system if too limited

• No place to ‘save’ work – so data might be lost
• Can also prevent the OS from using storage as virtual memory if RAM fills up
• Limits how much data can be kep