Hard Drive Size - Why It’s Important

The hard drive disk of a computer is the primary storage device of the computer. It is a non-removable device that retains all the information when the computer is turned off. A fast hard drive supplies the computer with data as soon as it is needed. Hard drives are measured in Gigabytes (GB) and the larger the number, the bigger the computer storage capacity. When seeking to purchase a new home computer or laptop, it is important to understand how the hard drive works with your computer and how much storage capacity you will need.

When saving information on your computer, the application is recorded on a magnetic platter inside the hard drive. Most hard drives have several platters that allow them to spin up to 15,000 times per minute. The amount of hard drive space the computer has will affect how much data can be saved. The data on a hard drive can be deleted or erased from the memory at any time and does not need a constant power supply to save the information.

HDD platters

Hard drives used to be small, with an avarage capacity of no more than 5MB. Now, most new computers and laptops have no less than 80GB. Some hard drive capacities can even exceed 500GB. Today, computers with these capabilities can store a massive amount of information, videos and photos, without getting bogged down.

Choosing a hard drive can be confusing if you are not familiar with what to look for. Hard drives can have a very high capacity and yet they can still be very small. It is important when looking at hard drives for your computer or laptop to know what you need.

Performance in a hard drive can vary dramatically. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to save information and learning your hard drive is full. If you plan on using your hard drive to store a minimum amount of information, you may not need to spend the extra money on a bigger hard drive. For storing large files, videos, music and pictures, your computer will need to be equipped with a larger amount of hard drive space. You can purchase 160GB and larger hard drive space on most computers.

The general rule of thumb for purchasing hard drive space is to purchase the largest amount of space you think you will need and that you can afford. Price is another factor when choosing the right hard drive size. The most common size of hard drive for money ranges from 120 to 300GB. These hard drive sizes are readily available on most operating systems. They are a good economical choice for computer users needing the computer for everyday storage and use.

Beside size and price, also consider access times and transfer rates when looking at hard drives. The transfer rate is how much data can be transferred per second. This can vary depending on the condition of the computer. A computer that is nearly full may have a much slower transfer rate.

Transfer rates come in either internal or external. The internal transfer rate is how fast the hard drive can read the data. The external transfer rate is how fast the drive can speed data to whatever it is connected to. Usually, it will be a little slower than listed, so it is best to get a faster transfer rate. The external rate is linked to the type of hard drive that the computer is using. Be aware that hard drive speed is affected by the computer’s capabilities. If your computer is slow, a bigger and faster hard drive will do you little good. Also, if your computer is operating slowly, a bogged down hard drive may be the problem.

If your computer system is running slow, deleting unnecessary files from the hard drive may be an option. Defrag is another option used to optimize slow hard drive systems. Fragmentation of the hard drive occurs when the operating system breaks a saved file into separate pieces and stores them in other places. This usually happens when there is not enough room to store all the data. Defrag takes those stored file fragments and pieces them back together again. The process can be time consuming, but is a good way to optimize hard drive space and the speed of the computer.

Hard Drives - External versus Internal

The decision on whether to use an external storage drive versus an internal storage drive with your computer can be difficult. It is not just an aesthetic decision, but rather one that should be based on your needs versus the pros and cons of each type.

The first thing you should consider when you begin looking for a new storage device is whether you need or want an internal or external device. They each have their own sets of pros and cons, so it is important to be educated on each.

The first, and most obvious benefit of an external hard drive is that it is easier to set up, especially if you are a computer novice. In most cases, it is a matter of simply plugging in the proper power source and USB cables, installing the proper drivers (which your computer will often lead you through), and you are ready to start using your external storage drive. This is really the best way to go if you are not confident or at all interested in messing around with the wires and cables inside your computer.

A second, and perhaps less obvious benefit of the external memory drive, is that they are much easier to share between different users. Most of the USB/FireWire hard drives available today are “plug and play”. This set up makes it simple to move the drive from one machine to another, since you simply unplug the drive from one machine and plug it into another. That way, you can easily transfer files from home, to work, to school, or to a friend. The value of the convenience alone may be worth it to you, depending on your individual situation.

External Hard Drive Disk

On the other hand, the downside of an external storage drive is that they are certainly slower than internal ones. Internal drives are usually connected to the computer through IDE/ATA or Sata (Serial ATA) busses, which support higher data transfer seeds than USB busses, which is how most external storage drives are connected.

Also, in regards to cost, since external drives generally have their own casings, they are often more expensive than internal drives. As a general rule, internal drives are both faster and less expensive than their external counterparts. The biggest, perhaps most obvious drawback of the internal storage device is installation. So, if you decide to go the internal route, look for a package that includes all of the cables and hardware required for installation.

You will also want something that has an illustrated manual which is easy for you to understand. In addition, good installation software can make or break it. If the package is a good one, even the most novice PC user will be able to install an internal drive. Another advantage of internal storage drives is the price. As a rule, the greater the capacity of the media involved with the storage device, the cheaper the price per megabyte, but obviously the price is higher per device. Either way, since internal storage devices do not require their own casing, they run cheaper than their external counterparts.

Internal HDD

The disadvantages of internal storage drives are more on par with their convenience. With most internal storage drives you lose the ease of user changing. You will have a much more difficult time removing an internal drive and transferring it to another person’s computer. Of course, if you are using a laptop, such convenience may not be necessary.

There are obviously a number of factors to take into account when making the decision between internal or external storage solutions. You must figure out what kind of access speed you need, how much backup storage you require, overall storage needs both now and in the future, how much security and privacy you want, and a number of other memory factors.

The thing is that in the end, you will do fine whether you select an internal storage drive or an external storage drive. Storage devices are more affordable than ever now, with more space available than ever before. So make an educated guess at what is best for you and go for it, you really can’t go wrong either way.

Next Chapter: How to choose your computer hardware: Part 2.1 The Graphic Card (GPU)

To be continued…

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