Primary memory is computer memory that is accessed directly by the cpu. This includes several types of memory, such as the processor cache and system rom. However, in most cases, primary memory refers to system ram.

RAM, or random access memory, consists of one or more memory that temporarily store data while a computer is running. RAM is volatile memory, meaning it is erased when the power is turned off. Therefore, each time you start up your computer, the os must be loaded from secondary memory (such as a hard drive) into the primary memory, or RAM. Similarly, whenever you launch an application on your computer, it is loaded into

.