Chapter 1
IT Concepts and Terminology
Course: Comptia Tech Fc0 U71
Subject: Comptia Tech Fc0U71
Chapter: Infrastructure
1. Volatile vs. Non-Volatile Storage
This comparison highlights the two primary memory types used in modern computing systems—volatile memory, which offers speed, and non-volatile memory, which ensures persistence.
| Feature | Volatile Memory | Non-Volatile Memory | | Data Retention | Requires continuous power to retain data. | Retains data even after power is turned off. | | Speed | Extremely fast; operates in the nanosecond range. | Slower; operates in the microsecond to millisecond range. | | Purpose | Temporary workspace for data in active use or processing. | Long-term or permanent storage of files, applications, and system data. | | Examples | RAM (DRAM, SRAM), CPU Cache (L1, L2, L3), registers. | HDD, SSD, ROM, USB flash drives, SD cards, NVMe drives. | | Volatility Level | Fully volatile—contents are instantly erased when power is cut. | Fully non-volatile—data persists for years without power. | | Cost per GB | Higher due to fabrication complexity and speed performance. | Lower, especially in magnetic storage like hard drives. | | Power Consumption | Typically higher during read/write operations. | Generally lower, optimized for long-term access. |