Why CPU need the Virtual Memory? The CPU has physical memory. What is the purpose of Virtual Memory?
Thanks

Hey!

Have a look at:

http://www.linuxdoc.org/LDP/sag/x1752.html

and

http://www.howstuffworks.com/virtual-memory.htm


Jason

Technically speaking, memory and CPU are different computer subsystems, there are 'registers' and 'cache memory' in CPU, but probably not what you are refering to.

You can think virtual memory as an extension to your main memory (RAM). If your main memory are used up, your o/s will swap the unneeded part of main memory to your virtual memory. If you have enough of main memory, it is still a good idea to use virtual memory as some o/s are optimized to make use of it for achieving better performance.

So As I understand, if computer not has enough physical Ram(real Ram) it swaps to Virtual Memory(uses uses harddrive instead).
Right?

<deleted>
sorry, accidentally submitted.

Originally posted by mikeshn
So As I understand, if computer not has enough physical Ram(real Ram) it swaps to Virtual Memory(uses uses harddrive instead).
Right?

That's correct, more or less.