Storage Devices Flashcards
Solid State Drive
Definition:
- An SSD is a high-speed storage device with no moving parts, offering faster performance than traditional hard drives (HDDs).
Key Features:
- Speed: Faster read/write times due to no seek time.
- Durability: No moving parts, making them more resistant to physical shock.
- Power Efficiency: Uses less power, extending battery life in portable devices.
- Cost and Capacity: Higher cost per GB with generally less storage compared to HDDs.
Limitations:
- Lifespan: Limited number of read/write cycles. While typically sufficient for most users, heavy read/write operations can shorten the drive’s life compared to HDDs.
Connection Interfaces:
1. SATA (7 and 15 pin): Common in older SSDs.
2. PCIe: Offers faster speeds, increasingly used in modern systems.
Types of SSDs:
1. 1.8-inch SSD: Compact size for smaller devices.
2. 2.5-inch SSD: Standard size for laptops and desktops.
3. M.2 SSD: Sleek, compact, and often mounted directly on the motherboard for modern systems.
SSDs deliver unmatched performance and reliability, making them the preferred choice for many users despite their higher cost.
1.8
SSD
- Used in small Laptops
- uses SATA
2.5
SSD
- Used when replacing an HDD inside a laptop or a small desktop
- Use SATA
M2
- Like a memory chip, small, sleek, and light
- Used in a laptops
mSATA
- mSATA (Mini-SATA)
- Allows the SSD to be used as an adapter card that can be plugged
into a combined data and power port on the motherboard - Operate at same or faster speed as SATA connection
- specifically designed for smaller devices like laptops, ultrabooks, and embedded systems. It allows devices to use the SATA protocol for storage while saving space,
NVMe
- NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)
- A communication protocol used with the M2 form factor to plug
directly into the motherboard - connector tye but will be labeled M2 on motherboard
Hard Disk Drive
Hard Drive (HD):
Definition:
- A type of mass storage device that offers low-cost and slower speed compared to SSDs.
Key Features:
- Cost and Capacity: Affordable with higher storage capacities.
- Speed: Slower than SSDs due to mechanical parts.
- Durability: Less durable because of moving components.
- Best Use Case: Suitable for workloads involving frequent high read/write operations, where SSDs may wear out faster.
Connection Interface:
- Typically uses SATA (Serial ATA).
Components of a Hard Drive:
Platter:
- A circular disk where data is magnetically stored. (Surface)
Tracks:
- Concentric circles on the platter used for organizing data.(Train tracks for data
Sectors:
- Small divisions of a track, forming chunks of storage. pies of pie
Actuator:
- A mechanical arm that moves the read/write head to access data on the
platters. Viinyl player needle
Hard drives remain a cost-effective option for bulk storage needs, especially where speed is less critical.
Mass Storage Device
Non-Volatile storage device that retains data even when the system is powered off. Storage capacities are typically measured in GB (Gigabytes) or TB (Terabytes).
Types of Storage Devices:
1. Internal Storage:
Installed inside the computer case or tower.
- Examples: HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives).
2. External Storage:
- Connected via external ports.
- Examples: USB drives, external HDDs/SSDs, or other portable storage devices.
Common Sizes of Drives:
1. 2.5-inch: Internal HDDs and SSDs (common in laptops).
2. 3.5-inch: Internal HDDs and SSDs (standard for desktops).
3. 5.25-inch: Optical drives (e.g., DVD/Blu-ray), tape drives, or floppy drives.
Drive Bays and Adapters:
Drive Bays:
- Computers have specific slots for installing storage devices, often tailored to certain sizes.
- Each system may have a limited number of smaller or larger bays.
Adapters:
- Used to fit smaller drives into larger bays.
- Example: A 2.5-inch drive can be mounted into a 3.5-inch caddy, then installed in a 3.5-inch bay.
Seeking or retrieving the data
the process of accessing and pulling specific data from a storage device, like a hard drive or flash drive, so that it can be used by a computer or other system
Speed of HD
- Mesured in RPMs (Revolutions per minute)
- Higher speed gives better drive performance
four speeds
5400
7200
10,000
15,000
5400 RPM
HDD
- Slowest model (budget or low-end workstations and PCs)
7200 RPMs
- Faster performance (Modern computers)
- Cost more than 5400 RPMs
10,000 RPMs
- High-performance drives (gaming PCs, high performance PCs, and Servers)
- Cost more than 7200 RPMs
15,000 RPMs
HDD
- Highest RPM and highest cost, but provides excellent performance
- at this speed you might as well use a SSD becuase it avoides seek time issues without moving parts
HDD vs SSD
Key Differences
Performance:
- HDDs rely on spinning disks and moving read/write heads, which slows down data access, especially for random reads/writes.
- SSDs use flash memory, providing near-instantaneous access to data, making them ideal for operating systems, apps, and games.
Durability:
- HDDs are more vulnerable to physical damage due to their moving parts.
- SSDs are more robust, making them suitable for portable devices like laptops.
Capacity and Cost:
- HDDs are cheaper per gigabyte, making them a better choice for bulk storage.
- SSDs are more expensive but provide significant performance benefits.
Energy Efficiency:
- HDDs consume more power, which can impact battery life in laptops.
- SSDs are more energy-efficient, making them better for portable devices.
Similarities
1. Purpose:
Both store data like operating systems, applications, and personal files.
2. Compatibility:
Both are compatible with most modern computers via SATA connections (or NVMe for SSDs).
3. Usage Together:
Many systems combine HDDs and SSDs: an SSD for the OS and applications (speed) and an HDD for bulk storage (capacity).
Which Should You Choose?
HDD:
Budget-friendly.
Ideal for storing large files like movies, backups, or archives.
SSD:
Faster, more durable, and energy-efficient.
Best for operating systems, gaming, or applications needing quick access.
Buffer size
- Also called cache size
- Refers to a small amount of high-speed memory integrated into the storage device.
- It temporarily holds data being read from or written to the device, improving its overall performance.
