Question

A computer only has 2GB of RAM. Alicia says that virtual memory can be used instead of adding more RAM.

(i) Explain how virtual memory can compensate for the lack of RAM in Alicia's computer.

(ii) Explain why it would be beneficial for Alicia to get more RAM instead of relying on virtual memory.

Answer 1

(i) Virtual memory is a technique used by computers to extend the available memory beyond the physical RAM installed in the computer. It does this by temporarily transferring data from the RAM to the hard disk, freeing up space in the RAM for other tasks. When an application needs data that has been moved to the hard disk, it is swapped back into the RAM. This process is done automatically by the operating system and is transparent to the user.

(ii) Virtual memory is a useful technique when a computer does not have enough RAM to run all the necessary programs at once, but it has some drawbacks. When the operating system has to swap data between the RAM and the hard disk, it can slow down the computer's performance. This is because accessing the hard disk is slower than accessing the RAM. In addition, relying on virtual memory too heavily can shorten the life of the hard disk. Therefore, it would be beneficial for Alicia to get more RAM instead of relying on virtual memory, as this would improve her computer's performance and reduce wear and tear on her hard disk.

Answer 2

Virtual memory is a technique that allows a computer to use its hard drive space as if it were extra RAM. When the computer runs out of available RAM, it moves some of the data from RAM to the hard drive, freeing up space in RAM for other processes. This process is called paging.

Virtual memory can compensate for the lack of RAM in Alicia's computer by allowing it to run more programs or processes than it would be able to with only 2GB of RAM. However, virtual memory is much slower than physical RAM, as data must be constantly moved back and forth between RAM and the hard drive. This can result in a noticeable decrease in performance for the computer, particularly if it is running multiple programs simultaneously or working with large files.

It would be beneficial for Alicia to get more RAM instead of relying solely on virtual memory for several reasons. Firstly, as mentioned earlier, virtual memory is much slower than physical RAM, which can result in decreased performance. Secondly, constantly paging data to and from the hard drive can cause additional wear and tear on the hard drive, potentially shortening its lifespan. Finally, having more physical RAM can allow for smoother multitasking and faster processing of large files, which can lead to increased productivity and a better overall computing experience.