2.2 SECONDARY storage (ssd, hdd)

Question 1

what are the attributes of secondary storage?

Answer 1

• slower because not accessed directly by the CPU
• larger in storage size (typically than primary storage)
• use for long term storage of data and files
• non volatile
• magnetic, optical and solid state

Question 2

why is it called secondary storage?

Answer 2

not directly embedded on the motherboard and further away from the CPU so slower to access

Question 3

characteristics of magnetic storage (HDD)

Answer 3

• large capacity
• cheaper cost per GB
• not durable
• not portable
• slow access speed

Question 4

characteristics of optical storage

Answer 4

• low capacity
• not durable
• thin and very portable
• cheap to buy in bulk
• slowest access speed

Question 5

characterises of solid state drive (SSD)

Answer 5

• high capacity but expensive cost per gigabyte
• durable but cheap USB sticks can snap / break
• small size makes it portable
• solid state storage has the fastest access speed
• contains no moving parts***