b.1.2 core components & memory
The brain needs memory. Explore the vital relationship between the CPU, fast RAM, and permanent storage, and see how buses move data around the system.
Imagine trying to do a maths exam if you couldn't remember the numbers you just read. That’s why computers need Memory. This strand dives into the engine room of the computer. We look at RAM, the super-fast "working memory" that holds your open apps, and ROM, the permanent memory that tells the computer how to wake up. We also cover the system buses - the digital highways that transport data between the CPU and memory - and Cache, the ultra-fast VIP waiting room for data that makes your games run smooth as butter.
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This section outlines the progressive curriculum mapping for Core Components and Memory. The framework traces a carefully structured pedagogical journey - from the foundational classification of basic hardware functions and device memory in early years, through to the advanced architectural analysis of memory hierarchies and the Memory Management Unit at Key Stage 5 and beyond. Crucially, it intertwines the theoretical understanding of primary storage, system buses, and firmware with practical evaluations of system performance, challenging students to critically assess the physical and economic trade-offs between SRAM, DRAM, and ECC memory in both consumer and mission-critical enterprise environments.
Last modified: March 20th, 2026
