Question 96

Computer Awareness Computer memory Easy

Which one of the following is the correct order of memory types in increasing access speed (Slowest to Fastest)?

(A) Hard Drive -> RAM -> Cache -> CPU Registers
(B) RAM -> Hard Drive -> Cache -> CPU Registers
(C) Cache -> RAM -> CPU Registers -> Hard Drive
(D) Hard Drive -> Cache -> RAM -> CPU Registers
View Dynamic Solution & Explanation
Correct Solution: Option A

Step-by-step Solution:

Memory access speed increases as the storage unit gets physically closer to the CPU processing cores. The hierarchy from slowest to fastest is: 1. **Hard Drive**: Secondary, non-volatile storage (slowest). 2. **RAM**: Primary volatile main memory. 3. **Cache**: High-speed SRAM located close to the CPU to hold frequent instructions. 4. **CPU Registers**: The smallest and absolute fastest memory, located directly inside the CPU. Therefore, the correct increasing order is: Hard Drive \(\rightarrow\) RAM \(\rightarrow\) Cache \(\rightarrow\) CPU Registers.