An internal hard drive is what allows your computer to store information, such as the data for programs, documents, photos and videos. Unlike the more recently invented solid-state drive (SSD), a traditional hard drive has a physical spinning disk, and the faster that disk can spin the faster the hard drive can generally read and write information. So, a hard drive with 7200 rpm (revolutions per minute) is often faster at storing and accessing information than a hard drive with 5400 rpm, however, the difference can be undetectable. More complex programs, like graphic design software or video editing, can benefit from a faster hard drive.
Storage capacity is another important deciding factor. How much do you need to store on your computer’s internal hard drive? If you intend to store a lot of videos or PC games, you may want to look at a 1TB hard drive or larger.
Finally, whether you are adding a second hard drive to a desktop computer or building a gaming PC from scratch, you will have to consider your hard drive’s form factor—size and shape—to determine compatibility with the other components of your computer.
