Difference between hard drive and RAM

The components of a computer abound in number and perform different tasks. All the parts of a computer are essential and play an important role in the functioning of the system. Some parts are visible to the person using the computer while other parts are hidden from the naked eye, so there is some confusion in finding out which part plays a more critical role and what the function of the particular part is. . Two of those parts that are important and interrelated are known as hard drive and RAM. Both have different functions and can be related, but there are many differences between the two. While explaining the two terms. Hard drive is a data storage device that is used to store and access the information that is present in the machine. It is also known as HDD, which stands for Hard Disk Drive. All information is entered into the device by the user who wants to save it in a place where it can be accessed at any time. RAM, on the other hand, stands for Random Access Memory and it is a part of the computer that allows information to be stored and retrieved at any time during the operation of the computer. In more technical terms, random access memory means that all data that is present in RAM in the form of bytes can be read quickly without interfering with system files. Another way to show the difference between the two is that there is more space available on a hard drive compared to RAM because the hard drive is the place where all the information is placed whereas random access memory will only go to that location , so there is no memory-rich requirement. In other words, the memory that is present in the hard drive is the physical memory in the form of images, videos, and documents, while the system memory is the one that is used by the RAM, which is mostly virtual. In simple words, hard drive stores memory while RAM accesses that memory. There are also many other differences which will be explained at the end while a brief description of two types is given in the following two paragraphs.

Comparison chart

Definition of RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is part of a computer that allows information to be stored and retrieved at any time during the execution of various processes. In more technical terms, random access memory means that all the data that is present in RAM in the form of bytes can be read quickly without stirring up the other bytes in the system. It is different from read-only memory in which you can only read the memory but cannot retrieve it. There are two main types of RAM which are DRAM known as Dynamic Random Access Memory and SRAM which is known as Static Random Access Memory. They both have their own uses, but while DRAM needs to be updated at a higher rate, SRAM doesn’t read any updates and is faster than dynamic RAM. The first type used transistors to store the data. The role of RAM is simple, when the computer starts up, most of the memory of the operating system is present on the hard drive and is instantly loaded through RAM. After that, all the applications and web pages that are opened have their own memory and it needs to be accessed quickly so that it is switched to random access memory.

Definition of Hard Disk

This is a data storage device that is used to store and access information that is present on the device, it is entered into the device by the user who wishes to keep it in a place where it can be accessed at any time. This can be done in the form of folders and files while information such as documents, videos, audio, and even images. The structure is simpler where the rotating disks are placed, which are coated with magnetic material. These are connected with magnetic heads that are placed on the moving arm that helps to read and write the data. This data is accessed through RAM, which means that information that is present on the device can be opened without a proper sequence. It was first introduced in 1956 and has grown in space over the years. It has been produced by more than 150 companies over the years, but the most famous are Seagate and Toshiba. The normal hard drive size is 3.5 inches for computers, while the size of a laptop is around 2.5 inches. USBs are the devices that have originated from hard drives and are gaining popularity.

Differences in a nutshell

1. The main difference is memory; the hard drive has a large amount of space available for data, while the RAM has a small amount of memory space.
2. Hard drive is used to store data while RAM is used to access data.
3. The memory in the case of RAM is a virtual memory, while the memory in the hard drive is a physical memory.
4. Nothing can be stored in a RAM, while information can be stored on the hard drive.
5. RAM is known as random access memory while hard drive is written as HDD.
6. All system files are stored on the hard drive while no system files are present in random access memory.
7. Information can be organized on the hard drive while there is no possibility to organize memory in RAM.

Final Thought

Computer architecture is something that is a mystery to people who are general users and do not have detailed knowledge of it. The two terms Hard Drive and RAM are similar in that they are considered the same but they are different in operation and functions. This article, therefore, gives a proper understanding of the two types for people to have a clearer idea.