Information capacity of the hard disk: what is it?

The information capacity of a hard disk is an important concept for data storage systems. Behind it hides the full volume of the drive. Two methods of calculating it have now become widespread. They give different results, and this is not understandable in this matter users are misleading.

What is the problem?

A person processes information in decimal notation. So it happened historically, and no one wants to give it up. We are so comfortable. It consists of numbers from 0 to 9 (some consider from 1 to 10, but it does not change the essence). But the computer processes the data in the binary system. It is based on 0 (no signal) and 1 (presence of voltage). So it turns out that the information capacity of a hard disk can be determined by a binary or decimal system of calculation. One important point must be taken into account. In the first one, 1 kilobyte is 2 ¹⁰ , or 1024 bytes. This value is used by programmers, and so determine the amount of information all OS "Winds" to date. But in the second case this value will be 10 ³ , or 1000 bytes. So people and producers of storage devices consider information. As it is easy to understand, a person can buy a hard disk with one characteristics, and the OS "Windows" will show him a little bit other information. In this case, the information capacity of the hard disk for a binary system will be less, and for a decimal one - more. But the amount of stored information remains unchanged. Determining in this case is how to count.

Recalculation

Let's do a recount on the example of a 500 GB drive (according to the manufacturer) and determine the percentage of losses. To begin with, let's clarify that the prefix "giga" in the decimal system means 10 ⁹ , and in the binary - 2 ³⁰ . To begin with, multiply 500 GB by 10 ⁹ . This will get the size in bytes. To go to a binary system, you need to get the resulting value of 500 x 10 ⁹ divided by 2 ³⁰ , and we get 465 GB. This is the information capacity of the hard disk in the new system. Next, determine the percentage of losses in the transition between them. To do this, from 500 GB we subtract 465 GB and divide the obtained value by 500 GB. As a result, we obtain 0.07. If this value is multiplied by 100, then we know the difference in percent. This will be 7%.

So it turns out that the volume of the drive, which will show the OS "Winds", decreases immediately to the value obtained. Well, if a person understands and understands this. But there are other cases when an offended client comes to the store and begins to find out the relationship. At the same time, the seller is accused of selling a "circumcised" drive. The client does not understand that the maximum capacity of the hard disk is a constant value in fact. But its value can vary depending on the counting method. And the difference between them is 7% regardless of volume. This statement is true for all storage devices, including flash drives, and floppy disks, and CDs.

Conclusion

The full capacity of a hard magnetic disk is a key parameter that buyers pay attention to before purchasing. But while few people think about the fact that its value will be less by 7% in the OS "Winds". But this should be taken into account and take the device with a certain margin, in order not to buy a second drive later.