diff --git a/.zk/notebook.db b/.zk/notebook.db index 4f71848..48c70b5 100644 Binary files a/.zk/notebook.db and b/.zk/notebook.db differ diff --git a/zk/ROM_versus_disk_loading.md b/zk/ROM_versus_disk_loading.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c40e5ad --- /dev/null +++ b/zk/ROM_versus_disk_loading.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +id: rmvm +title: ROM versus disk loading +tags: [computer-architecture, memory] +created: Monday, June 24, 2024 +--- + +# ROM versus disk loading + +I will explore the concept via the practical examples of cartridge-based and +disk-based video games console. + +When you insert a disk into an XBox, the game data is transferred from the disk +into the console's memory by the OS. When you insert a cartridge into a SNES, +there is no transferral of data. The game data is stored on a chip and this chip +is attached to the motherboard. From the point of view of the OS, it is just +another chip along with the others that comprise the motherboard. + +The chief advantage with a ROM game is that the latency is greatly reduced. The +game data can be accessed as rapidly as any other data travelling along the +busses of the motherboard. With a disk, the bytes have to be transferred in a +buffer from the disk into a memory address and from there, accessed by the CPU. + +With a ROM, the console CPU still uses its own memory to run the game (as with +disk-based consoles), it is just that the game data on the ROM can be loaded +into memory quicker because it is attached to the motherboard. + +becomes part of the motherboard just like the other chips that comprise the +motherboard. + +## Related notes