Which component temporarily stores data being accessed by the CPU?

The component that temporarily stores data being accessed by the CPU is RAM, also known as Random Access Memory. RAM is a type of volatile memory, which means it loses its contents when the power is turned off. It serves as a working memory for the CPU, providing quick access to the data and instructions that are actively used during processing.

When a program is executed, the CPU retrieves data from the hard drive or other permanent storage, and this data is loaded into RAM. The CPU can then access this data much more rapidly compared to fetching it from secondary storage like a hard drive. This fast access is crucial for the efficient operation of programs and overall system performance.

Cache, on the other hand, while also used to store temporary data and speed up access times, is typically a smaller and faster type of memory that is located even closer to the CPU than RAM. It stores frequently accessed data and instructions to improve processing efficiency. However, RAM itself plays the primary role in temporarily storing a larger amount of data being accessed.

Other components such as the hard drive are used for long-term storage of data, and ROM (Read-Only Memory) is used to store firmware and is non-volatile, meaning it does not change with power loss. Thus, while