FAQ: Storage Media (BASIC)
Essentially there are 3 types of media
Transistor based – Ram; Cache; Flash memory
Magnetic Based – Hard Disks; Floppy Disks; Tape
Optical – CD -ROM/-R/RW; DVD –ROM/+-R/RW
In the context of normal computer operation;
Ram
Used to store current programs being used
>Very High Speed storage as a general rule the quicker the ram is utilised the more performance the system will give
<Expensive compared to Hard Disk Prices (£/$ per GB)
Cache
Used to store immediately operated on programs
Cache is usually contained on the processor itself
>Very high speed usually runs @ full processor speed
>Have a high bandwidth pathway to the main processor core
<RAM and cache are volatile storage as in they loose their DATA when power is removed>;
Hard disk
Used for long-term storage of all the computers programs and files
>Quickest Non-Volatile Media for the most users
>Very cheap in terms of £/$ per GB
>High Capacity
<Speed is miniscule compared to RAM/Cache
Optical media is mainly for distribution of data due to the cheap costs associated, high capacity and ease of portability <but no where near Hard disk performance and there is a durability issue >;
Flash Memory
The R/W speeds on flash memory pale in comparison to that of any of the above medium
>Small and very durable
> Can have high capacities (perfect for use in digital cameras and flash mp3 players)
Floppy disks
Based around the principle of a ‘floppy’ hard disk platter spinning @ low rpm and using cheap low performance R/W heads –
> Very cheap
> Almost all computers have the facility to read them
< Useless as data is so easily corrupted on these things (the only reason I use them is for old sharing data with comps w/o USB or for boot disks)
Tape:
Based around magnetic tape in a cartridge – info is stored as magnetic charges
> Very high speed storage
> Very high capacity perfect
> Used for backups
< Does not allow random access (accessing data from areas spread over the medium)
As an analogy
The CPU is a Plumber
The cache stores the tools in the Plumbers belt – close @ hand and the speed of their use is almost instant
RAM is a bench behind the plumber with tools on it – with in his immediate vicinity
And the speed of their use depends on how quickly the plumber can move to em (FSB speed)
The Hard Disk is the plumbers van outside filled with tools – relatively far away and time consuming to get tools from there;
Essentially there are 3 types of media
Transistor based – Ram; Cache; Flash memory
Magnetic Based – Hard Disks; Floppy Disks; Tape
Optical – CD -ROM/-R/RW; DVD –ROM/+-R/RW
In the context of normal computer operation;
Ram
Used to store current programs being used
>Very High Speed storage as a general rule the quicker the ram is utilised the more performance the system will give
<Expensive compared to Hard Disk Prices (£/$ per GB)
Cache
Used to store immediately operated on programs
Cache is usually contained on the processor itself
>Very high speed usually runs @ full processor speed
>Have a high bandwidth pathway to the main processor core
<RAM and cache are volatile storage as in they loose their DATA when power is removed>;
Hard disk
Used for long-term storage of all the computers programs and files
>Quickest Non-Volatile Media for the most users
>Very cheap in terms of £/$ per GB
>High Capacity
<Speed is miniscule compared to RAM/Cache
Optical media is mainly for distribution of data due to the cheap costs associated, high capacity and ease of portability <but no where near Hard disk performance and there is a durability issue >;
Flash Memory
The R/W speeds on flash memory pale in comparison to that of any of the above medium
>Small and very durable
> Can have high capacities (perfect for use in digital cameras and flash mp3 players)
Floppy disks
Based around the principle of a ‘floppy’ hard disk platter spinning @ low rpm and using cheap low performance R/W heads –
> Very cheap
> Almost all computers have the facility to read them
< Useless as data is so easily corrupted on these things (the only reason I use them is for old sharing data with comps w/o USB or for boot disks)
Tape:
Based around magnetic tape in a cartridge – info is stored as magnetic charges
> Very high speed storage
> Very high capacity perfect
> Used for backups
< Does not allow random access (accessing data from areas spread over the medium)
As an analogy
The CPU is a Plumber
The cache stores the tools in the Plumbers belt – close @ hand and the speed of their use is almost instant
RAM is a bench behind the plumber with tools on it – with in his immediate vicinity
And the speed of their use depends on how quickly the plumber can move to em (FSB speed)
The Hard Disk is the plumbers van outside filled with tools – relatively far away and time consuming to get tools from there;