Which component looks for data in RAM upon receiving a request from the CPU?

The memory controller chip is the component responsible for managing the flow of data to and from the RAM when the CPU issues a request. It acts as an intermediary that translates memory addresses from the CPU into the physical addresses in RAM. When the CPU wants to read or write data, it sends a request to the memory controller, which then accesses the RAM to retrieve or store the required data.

The memory controller ensures that the CPU can access the data it needs efficiently and effectively. It handles multiple requests and manages the timing of data transfers, making it a critical component for the system's overall performance.

While the address bus is involved in transmitting the addresses of data from the CPU to the memory, it does not look for the data; it simply carries the address signals. The external data bus, on the other hand, is responsible for transferring the data to and from the memory once the address has been determined, but it does not interact with the RAM directly to retrieve the data. The clock wire provides timing signals that coordinate the operations of the CPU and other components but does not have any role in retrieving data from RAM.