Interno 1 TB 10000 RPM de velocidad de rotación las unidades de disco duro

Finding an Internal Hard Disk Drive for Your Computer

All the files in your computer including the operating system and the software applications are kept inside a device known as a storage drive. The information here is not lost when you turn off the system as is the case with the RAM. The storage drive could either be an SSD or an HDD. When you run out of space or when a problem arises with the drive, you can always upgrade to a new one. Here is what you need to know as you purchase an internal hard disk drive:

What is the difference between an SSD and an HDD?

The main types of storage drives in a computer are the solid state drive and the hard drive. They differ in the following ways:

  • Solid state drive (SSD) - For these drives, data is stored on flash memory chips that keep the data intact even when there is no power. They are a fast and more reliable internal storage option compared to hard drives. The downside to SSDs comes with space. They are available in lower storage capacities, commonly 128 GB and 256 GBs.
  • Hard drive (HDD) - These drives rely on spinning platters to read and write data. They are much slower due to the time the process takes. Hard drives, however, are available in large storage capacities. You will find those with even up to 12 TB space for desktops.

What are the different types of interfaces in hard drives?

When getting the internal hard drive, you should ensure that the connector/interface matches with that of the motherboard. The main types of interfaces are the PATA, SATA, and SAS as follows:

  • PATA/ IDE - The interface was launched in 1986, serving among the earliest types. Recent versions allow for up to 133 mebibytes per second transfer rates. They are commonly used in large industrial setups.
  • SATA- SATA came as a replacement of PATA. The interface can transmit data at 6 Gbits/second making it relatively fast. Hard drives with this connector are ideal for personal computing.
  • SAS- Formerly SCSI, this type of interface is ideal for performance roles due to its reliability. It is therefore mostly used for servers in enterprises. The connectors can transfer data at a speed of up to 6 Gbits per second.

What should you consider when buying an internal hard disk drive?

Some of the features to look out for when getting an internal HDD include the following:

  • Form factor - The internal hard drive will come in two form factors: the 3.5-inch drive and the 2.5-inch drive. The former is more common in desktops while the latter is common in laptops and notebooks. Consider what size is ideal for your PC prior to purchasing one.
  • RPM - The performance of the hard drive is determined by the rate at which the disk rotates. The spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). With all other factors held constant, a hard drive with a 7200 RPM spindle speed will perform better than one with a 5400 RPM. You will also find Western Digital Raptor (WD Raptor or VelociRaptor), a series of performance hard disk drives produced by Western Digital with a spindle speed as high as 10000 RPM.
  • Storage capacity - You should also consider the space you need. The storage capacities vary from drive to drive. They often range from 500 GB to 8 TB.

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