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Harddisk Handout

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) are non-volatile storage devices that offer high capacity and cost-effectiveness for long-term data storage, though they are slower than SSDs. Key components include platters, read/write heads, and an actuator arm, with common specifications ranging from 500GB to 20TB in capacity. While HDDs are suitable for bulk storage and backups, they are prone to mechanical failures and require proper maintenance to extend their lifespan.

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3 views5 pages

Harddisk Handout

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) are non-volatile storage devices that offer high capacity and cost-effectiveness for long-term data storage, though they are slower than SSDs. Key components include platters, read/write heads, and an actuator arm, with common specifications ranging from 500GB to 20TB in capacity. While HDDs are suitable for bulk storage and backups, they are prone to mechanical failures and require proper maintenance to extend their lifespan.

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Copyright
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1.

Introduction to Hard Disk Drives (HDD)


A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores data magnetically
on spinning platters.

Key Features:

✔ High capacity (up to 20TB+ in modern drives)


✔ Slower than SSDs but cheaper per GB
✔ Used for long-term data storage (files, OS, backups)

2. How an HDD Works


Main Components:

Part Function

Platters Magnetic disks that store data

Read/Write Heads Access data while hovering nanometers above platters

Actuator Arm Moves heads across platters

Spindle Motor Spins platters (5400/7200/10,000 RPM)

Data Storage Process:

1. Data is written in sectors (512B or 4KB blocks).


2. The actuator arm moves to the correct track.
3. The platter spins to position data under the head.
3. HDD Specifications
Specification Importance

Capacity 500GB – 20TB (common sizes: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB)

RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) 5400 RPM (quiet, efficient) / 7200 RPM (faster performance)

Cache (MB/GB) Temporary buffer for faster access (64MB – 256MB common)

Interface SATA III (6Gbps), SAS (enterprise), or older IDE

4. HDD vs SSD Comparison


Feature HDD SSD

Speed Slower (100-200 MB/s) Faster (500-3500 MB/s)

Durability Mechanical parts (can fail) No moving parts (more reliable)

Cost Cheaper ($/GB) More expensive

Use Case Bulk storage, backups OS, gaming, fast access

5. Types of HDDs
1. Consumer HDDs

 3.5-inch (desktops, NAS)


 2.5-inch (laptops, external drives)

2. Enterprise HDDs

 Built for 24/7 operation (NAS, servers)


 Higher RPM & cache

3. External HDDs

 Portable storage (USB 3.0/3.1)


 Examples: WD My Passport, Seagate Backup Plus

6. Common HDD Failures & Maintenance


Why Do HDDs Fail?

 Mechanical wear (spindle motor, actuator arm)


 Bad sectors (corrupted data areas)
 Power surges
 Physical damage (drops, shocks)

How to Extend HDD Life

✔ Keep in a cool, dry place (heat kills HDDs)


✔ Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
✔ Run CHKDSK (Windows) or fsck (Linux) to fix errors
✔ Defragment (only for HDDs, not SSDs)

7. HDD vs SSHD (Hybrid Drive)


 SSHD = HDD + Small SSD Cache
 Faster than HDD but slower than full SSD
 Example: Seagate FireCuda
8. Future of HDDs
 HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) – Increases density (50TB+ drives
coming).
 Used mainly for cold storage & backups (SSDs dominate performance needs).

9. Frequently Asked Questions


❓ Can an HDD be repaired?
→ Sometimes (e.g., PCB replacement), but data recovery is expensive.

❓ How long do HDDs last?


→ 3-5 years average, but some last 10+ years with care.

❓ Is an HDD good for gaming?


→ Yes, but slower load times than SSD (best for game archives).

10. Key Takeaways


 HDDs = Cheap, high-capacity, mechanical storage.
 SSDs = Faster, more durable, but pricier.
 Best for backups, media storage, and budget builds.
 Always back up important data! (HDDs can fail unexpectedly.)

Quick Quiz:

1. Which is faster: HDD or SSD? (SSD)


2. What does RPM measure in HDDs? (Spin speed)
3. True or False: Defragmenting improves SSD performance. (False, only HDDs!)

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