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IT Support & Hardware · Foundational

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A storage device that records data magnetically on spinning platters read by moving heads.

Definition

HDDs offer high capacity at low cost per gigabyte but are slower and more fragile than SSDs because of moving parts. Performance depends on spindle speed (5400, 7200, 10,000, or 15,000 RPM), cache, and interface. Common form factors are 3.5-inch for desktops and 2.5-inch for laptops.

Example

A 12 TB 7200 RPM 3.5-inch SATA HDD used for a NAS backup volume.

Exam tip

Clicking or grinding noises indicate imminent HDD failure; back up immediately.

Don't confuse it with

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