1.3 storage

1.3 storage

1. primary storage refers to the memory areas that the cpu can access very quickly.

   • cpu registers, cache, ROM,RAM
   • primary storage has the fastest read/write speed and is mostly volatile

2. secondary storage is non- volatile

   • its where all data (operating system applications and user files are stored when not in use.
   • it includes magnetic hard disk drives, solid state drives.
     • CD,SD cards
   • Read/write speeds are much slower compared to primary storage

3. Hard disk drives are the traditional internal storage in PCs and laptops.

   • a hard disk is made up of a stack og magnetised metal disks spinning at a rate of between 5400 and 15000rpm(reveloutions per minute)
     • Data is stored magnetically in small areas called sectors within circular tracks.
       • portable HDDs are popular for backing up and transporting large amounts of data
         • Despite their moving parts , HDDs are generally very long lasting and reliable.although they could be damaged by large impacts like being dropped.

4. solid state drive (SSDs) are storage devices with no moving parts.

   • most of them use a type of flash memory
   • SSDs are used for the same purpose as HDDs- for internal storage.
     • SSDs have signficantly faster read/write than HDDs. using a SSD rather than traditional HDD can give quicker times for booting up.

5. optical discs are things like CD, DVDS and Blu-ray

   • CDs can hold around 700MB of data. DVDs can hold around 4.7GB

6. magnetic tape has much greater storage capacity than HDDs.