Computer storage devices and their storage capacity hold significant importance in various competitive exams, particularly in the realm of basic computer general knowledge and computer awareness. It is common for questions to arise regarding the storage capacity of specific devices, like CDs, in these exams.
Understanding the storage capacities of different computer storage devices is crucial for success in such tests. This article aims to shed light on the topic of computer storage devices and their storage capacity, providing you with valuable insights that can aid in answering questions related to storage capacity, such as the amount of data that can be stored on a CD.
Whether you are preparing for competitive exams or simply seeking to expand your knowledge of computer basics, this article will equip you with the necessary information to tackle questions related to computer storage in a confident and informed manner.
List of Computer Storage Devices and Their Storage Capacity
| Storage Device | Storage Capacity |
|---|---|
| Floppy Disk | 1.44 MB (3.5-inch floppy) 720 KB (5.25-inch floppy) |
| CD | 700 MB |
| DVD | 4.7 GB (single-layer) 8.5 GB (dual-layer) |
| Blu-ray | 25 GB (single-layer) 50 GB (dual-layer) 100 GB (triple-layer) 128 GB (quad-layer) |
| USB Flash Drive (Pen Drive) | Varies (common sizes include 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, etc.) |
| Hard Disk Drive (HDD) | Varies (common sizes include 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB, 12 TB, 16 TB, etc.) |
| Solid State Drive (SSD) | Varies (common sizes include 120 GB, 240 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB, etc.) |
| Magnetic Tape | Varies (common sizes range from several GB to tens of TB) |
| Cloud Storage | Varies (common plans range from a few GB to several TB or more) |
Previous Year Questions
Q1. How much data does a standard floppy disk hold? [SSC Combined Matric Level (PRE) 2002]
A. 512KB
B. 1.44MB
C. 20 MB
D. 1GB
Answer – B. 1.44MB
Explanation-
Q2. A Floppy Disc can store __________ data. [ SSC (10+2) LDC Exam 2012]
A. 1.44 bytes
B. 1.44 MB
C. 1.44 KB
D. 1.44 GB
Answer – B. 1.44 MB
Explanation-
Q3. A dual-layer Blu-ray disc can store data up to? [WBCS 2019 Mains]
A. 20 GB
B. 30 GB
C. 40 GB
D. 50 GB
Answer – D. 50 GB
Explanation-
Sample MCQs on Computer Storage Devices and Their Storage Capacity
Q1. Which storage device typically has the smallest storage capacity?
A. Blu-ray disc
B. USB flash drive
C. Floppy disk
D. Solid State Drive (SSD)
Answer – C. Floppy disk (1.44 MB)
Explanation-
Q2. What is the approximate storage capacity of a single-layer DVD?
A. 2.5 GB
B. 4.7 GB
C. 8.5 GB
D. 16 GB
Answer –B. 4.7 GB
Explanation-
Q3. Which storage device is known for its large storage capacity and magnetic data storage?
A. USB flash drive
B. Solid State Drive (SSD)
C. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
D. Blu-ray disc
Answer –C. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Explanation-
Q4. Which of the following storage devices has the highest storage capacity?
A. Dual-layer DVD
B. Single-layer Blu-ray disc
C. Triple-layer Blu-ray disc
D. Magnetic Tape
Answer –D. Magnetic Tape (varies, can be several TBs)
Explanation-
Q5. Which storage device is commonly used for cloud-based storage services?
A. CD
B. DVD
C. USB flash drive
D. Cloud Storage
Answer – D. Cloud Storage (varies, can be several GBs to TBs or more)
Explanation-
Q6. What is the typical storage capacity of a standard 3.5-inch floppy disk?
A. 720 KB
B. 1.44 MB
C. 2 GB
D. 4 GB
Answer – B. 1.44 MB
Explanation-
Q7. Which storage device is considered a non-volatile memory and retains data even when powered off?
A. RAM
B. SSD
C. Magnetic Tape
D. Flash Memory (e.g., USB flash drive)
Answer – C. Magnetic Tape
Explanation-
Q8. What is the storage capacity of a single-layer Blu-ray disc?
A. 25 GB
B. 50 GB
C. 100 GB
D. 128 GB
Answer – A. 25 GB
Explanation-
Q9. Which storage device uses optical technology to read and write data?
A. HDD
B. SSD
C. USB flash drive
D. CD
Answer – D. CD (700 MB)
Explanation-
Q10. Which of the following storage devices has the fastest data access times?
A. HDD
B. SSD
C. Blu-ray disc
D. USB flash drive
Answer – B. SSD
Explanation-
