← Years 7–8 Digital Systems

HDD vs SSD performance

Storage with no moving parts. It reads and writes data much faster than an HDD, so computers boot and load quicker. It is tougher but usually costs more per GB.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 9, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 23

Understanding HDD vs SSD performance in Years 7–8 Digital Systems

What it does: The faster read speed of an SSD means the operating system and programs load in less time than from an HDD. Cost per GB is price divided by storage size. For the same size, the SSD usually costs more, so the HDD gives more space for the money. An SSD stores data on flash memory chips. An HDD has spinning disks and a moving read/write head. An SSD reads and writes data faster, so games and apps open and load more quickly.

Common mistakes: An SSD has no moving parts, so moving_parts should be 0. That is why the IF test and the 'Tougher' message make sense. The SSD boots in 12 seconds and the HDD takes 45, so the SSD is the faster drive. The line should be faster ← SSD.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 4–19) and word search (Modules 4–74).

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Learning
Duo
Which storage device has no moving parts?
HDD (hard disk drive)SSD (solid state drive)
Matches
An SSD has spinning disks, so it is easier to break when dropped.
↓
SSDs have no moving parts and no spinning disks. That makes them tougher than HDDs, not more fragile.
Applying
Meanings
Term
SSD (solid state drive)
Meaning
Storage with no moving parts. It reads and writes data much faster than an HDD, so computers boot and load quicker. It is tougher but usually costs more per GB.
Practice
IF drive = SSD THEN
Testing
Gaps
An
Check Answer
Spots
1drive ← SSD
2moving_parts ← 3

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Quick Questions

1. Which storage device has no moving parts?
A. SSD (solid state drive) ✓
B. HDD (hard disk drive)
An SSD stores data on flash memory chips. An HDD has spinning disks and a moving read/write head.
2. Which computer will usually boot up faster?
A. One with an HDD
B. One with an SSD ✓
An SSD reads data much faster, so the operating system loads in seconds instead of minutes.
3. Your laptop is dropped in a school bag. Which drive is less likely to be damaged?
A. HDD, because it has spinning disks
B. SSD, because it has no moving parts ✓
The spinning disks and moving head in an HDD can be damaged by bumps and drops. An SSD is more durable.
4. Which statement about cost per GB is usually true?
A. SSDs usually cost more per GB than HDDs ✓
B. SSDs usually cost less per GB than HDDs
This is why a cheap computer with lots of storage often uses an HDD, while an SSD of the same size costs more.
5. A game takes ages to load from your old drive. Which upgrade would most likely speed up load times?
A. Swap the HDD for an SSD ✓
B. Swap the SSD for an HDD
An SSD reads and writes data faster, so games and apps open and load more quickly.

Match the Pairs

SSD → Solid state drive: storage with no moving parts that reads and writes data much faster than an HDD
HDD → Hard disk drive: storage with spinning disks that is slower than an SSD but usually cheaper per GB
An SSD usually boots a computer and loads programs much faster than an HDD → Boot time: SSD 15 sec, HDD 60 sec
An SSD usually costs more per GB than an HDD, so the same money buys less space → 1 TB HDD $60, 1 TB SSD $120
An SSD has spinning disks, so it is easier to break when dropped. → SSDs have no moving parts and no spinning disks. That makes them tougher than HDDs, not more fragile.
HDD is the faster drive, but SSD costs less per GB. → The two are swapped. An SSD is the faster drive and usually costs more per GB, while an HDD is slower and usually costs less per GB.

Key Term

SSD (solid state drive)
Storage with no moving parts. It reads and writes data much faster than an HDD, so computers boot and load quicker. It is tougher but usually costs more per GB.

Fill in the Blanks

1. An SSD reads and writes data faster than an HDD.
Hint: Type the acronym for the faster drive type that has no moving parts.
2. A computer with an SSD will boot faster.
Hint: Type the word for starting up a computer.
3. Cost per GB: SSD is usually higher than HDD
Hint: Type the comparison word that describes the SSD price per gigabyte compared with an HDD.
4. An HDD has moving parts, so it is fragile.
Hint: Type the word that describes parts that spin or move inside an HDD.
5. costPerGB = price / sizeGB
Hint: Type the arithmetic operator used for dividing.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A drive ← SSD
B moving_parts ← 3
C IF moving_parts = 0 THEN
D OUTPUT "Tougher"
E ENDIF
Line B — An SSD has no moving parts, so moving_parts should be 0. That is why the IF test and the 'Tougher' message make sense.
Question 2
A hdd_boot ← 45
B ssd_boot ← 12
C faster ← HDD
D OUTPUT faster
Line C — The SSD boots in 12 seconds and the HDD takes 45, so the SSD is the faster drive. The line should be faster ← SSD.
Question 3
A hdd_cost ← 0.04
B ssd_cost ← 0.09
C IF ssd_cost > hdd_cost THEN
D OUTPUT "SSD costs less/GB"
E ENDIF
Line D — The SSD cost per GB (0.09) is higher than the HDD (0.04), so the message should say the SSD costs more per GB, not less.
Question 4
A INPUT drive
B IF drive = HDD THEN
C OUTPUT "Survives bumps"
D ENDIF
Line B — It is the SSD, with no moving parts, that survives bumps and drops better. An HDD has delicate spinning parts. The test should be IF drive = SSD THEN.
Question 5
A ssd_mbps ← 500
B hdd_mbps ← 100
C faster ← hdd_mbps / ssd_mbps
D OUTPUT faster
Line C — To find how many times faster the SSD is, divide the SSD speed by the HDD speed (500 / 100 = 5). The numbers were swapped, which gives 0.2.

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