Memory & its components

SATA (Meaning)

• SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or Serial ATA

• SATA is an interface that connects various storage devices such as hard disks, optical drives, SSD’s, etc to the motherboard

• SATA was introduced in the year 2000 to replace the long-standing PATA (Parallel ATA) interface

• PATA is highly susceptible to outside interferences and hence allows SATA to operate at high speeds than PAT

Characteristics of SATA:

• Low Voltage Requirement

• Simplified construction

• Differential Signalling

• High data transfer rate

Advantages of SATA:

• Faster data transfer rate as compared to PATA

• SATA cable can be of length upto 1 meter, whereas PATA cable can only have length of maximum 18 inches

• SATA cables are smaller in size

• Since, they are smaller in size, they take up less space inside the computer and increase the internal air flow. Increased air flow can decrease heat build-up and therefore increases the overall life of computer

• Most modern computer motherboards today have SATA ports more than PATA ports

• Low power consumption (0.5V)

Disadvantages of SATA:

• Special device drivers are required sometimes to recognize and use the drive. However, a SATA hard drive can behave as a PATA

  drive. This eliminates the need for a specific driver to be installed

• SATA cable supports only one hard drive to connect at a time, whereas PATA cable allows up to two PATA drives per cable

• SATA is costlier as compared to PATA

SSD (Solid-State Drive)

• SSD is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data

• Form-factors and protocols such as SATA and SAS of traditional hard disk drive (HDD) may be used by SSD, greatly simplifying usage of SSDs in computers

• New form factors such as the M.2 form factor, and new I/O protocols such as NVM Express have been developed to address specific requirements of the Flash memory technology used in SSDs

• SSDs are typically more resistant to physical shock, run silently, have quicker access time and lower latency compared to electromechanical devices

HHD (Hard Disk Drive)

• A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device. Non-volatile refers to storage devices that maintain stored data when turned off

• All computers need a storage device, and HDDs are just one example of a type of storage device

• More specifically, hard disk drives control the reading and writing of the hard disk that provides data storage

• HDDs are used either as the primary or secondary storage device in a computer

• The HDD is also connected to a power supply unit and can keep stored data while powered down

SSD VS HDD:

NVME (MEANING):

• NVMe stands for Non-Volatile Memory Express

•  The new generation of Solid State Drive (SSD) with the fastest speed among all available types of storage devices in the market

•  In addition, the response time of NVMe in the working environment is incomparable

• Usually, the working procedure of NVMe Storage is the same as SSD. But what makes it different from SSD is that NVMe transfers data faster

ADVANTAGES OF NVME:

• Matchless Speed

• Superior Storage Capacity

• Higher Bandwith

DISADVANTAGES OF NVME:

• Highly Expensive

• Demand Upgraded System

• Compatibility Issues

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NVME & SSD:

M.2 SSD OR m.SATA SSD?

• When building your own PC or upgrading an existing model, opting for the fastest possible storage is a smart move. After all, if you can install your operating system on superfast storage, your computer will run quicker.

• M.2, formerly known as the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), offers faster data throughput than the older mSATA. As the latter relies on PCIe, it is limited to 6Gb per second (Gb/s). Older laptops and Windows tablets use mSATA solid-state drives (SSD).

• One reason it is so fast is that there is a direct connection between the motherboard and the M.2 SSD.

Three types of M.2 are available:

• SATA: This option uses the AHCI driver and routes to a SATA 3.0 port via the M.2 connector. It is slow, but widely compatible.

• AHCI: Advanced Host Controller Interface is a slower option that is found on low budget motherboards and is suited to older operating systems. SSDs connected via AHCI typically behave more like DRAM than a standard hard disk drive (HDD).

• NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express or NVM Express was created specifically for next-generation SSDs. While NVMe storage is available with standard PCIe connections for desktop motherboards, the M.2 form factor uses a different connector.