Hello, this is Jay. Last time, we explored RAM (memory). Today, let’s dive into another key part of every computer: storage devices.
What Is Storage?
Photo by William Warby on Pexels
Storage is where your computer permanently keeps your data — the operating system, programs, photos, videos, music, and documents. Unlike RAM, storage retains data even when the power is off, so you can reboot your PC and pick up right where you left off.
If RAM is short-term memory, then storage is your long-term memory — a warehouse that keeps information safe and ready to recall anytime.
Why Storage Matters
One of the biggest factors in how “fast” your PC feels is the storage drive.
Old days with HDDs: Windows booting took 1–2 minutes, programs took forever to open, and game loading screens lasted several minutes.
Now with SSDs: Boot times drop to under 10 seconds, programs launch instantly, and even a 50GB game can load in 10–20 seconds on an NVMe SSD.
Storage capacity also matters. If your drive runs out of space, you can’t install new apps, and Windows will slow down because it lacks room for temp files. A system with enough free capacity + a fast drive stays smooth across all tasks: booting, gaming, video editing, and file transfers.
Evolution of Storage Technology
Early days: Magnetic tape and floppy disks — tiny capacity, very slow.
HDDs (Hard Disk Drives): Mechanical spinning disks, up to 20TB capacity, cheap per GB.
SSDs (Solid State Drives): No moving parts, based on flash memory, far faster and more reliable.
Today, nearly all laptops and desktops ship with SSDs as standard.
HDD vs SSD
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
Mechanical platters + read/write heads
Pros: Cheapest per GB, massive storage (2TB–20TB+)
Cons: Slow read/write, noisy, fragile to shocks
SSD (Solid State Drive)
Flash-based, no moving parts
Pros: Silent, durable, 10–20× faster than HDD
NVMe PCIe SSDs reach 7GB/s+ transfer speeds
Cons: Higher price per GB (though dropping fast)
Storage in Action
Storage isn’t just a “warehouse” — it directly affects responsiveness:
Booting Windows: HDD → 1+ min | SSD → <10 sec
Gaming: HDD → long load screens, stutter | NVMe SSD → seamless map transitions
Video Editing: HDD → laggy previews | SSD → smooth 4K/8K playback and caching
Virtual Memory: When RAM runs out, SSDs make paging far less painful than HDDs
SSD + RAM = the ultimate combo for a responsive system.
Interfaces & Generations
SATA SSDs: Up to ~600 MB/s, great for budget upgrades
NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSDs: 3–3.5 GB/s, mainstream standard
NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDs: 5–7 GB/s, common in modern builds
NVMe PCIe 5.0 SSDs: 10+ GB/s, bleeding-edge speed (requires proper cooling)
Terminology tip: Say “PCIe 4.0 SSD” or “PCIe 5.0 SSD” rather than just “PCIe 4.0/5.0”.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Capacity
OS + apps only: 500GB–1TB
Gaming/video editing: 2TB+
Interface
Does your motherboard have an M.2 NVMe slot?
Speed
Check PCIe gen support (3.0 / 4.0 / 5.0) and rated read/write speeds
Endurance (TBW)
For long-term use, prefer TLC NAND over QLC for durability
Backup
HDD → RAID/NAS for bulk storage
SSD → external drives/cloud for critical files
Cooling
High-speed NVMe SSDs need heatsinks or thermal pads to avoid throttling
Wrapping Up
Storage is one of the easiest ways to dramatically boost PC performance. Just switching to an SSD can transform your boot times, app launches, gaming, and file work.
HDDs still shine for cheap bulk storage.
SSDs (especially NVMe) bring the speed, silence, and reliability.
The best builds often use HDD + SSD together — a balance of capacity and performance.
Thanks for reading! Next time, we’ll explore another vital PC component: the Power Supply Unit (PSU) — the heart that keeps everything running.
You can view the original Korean blog post at the link below