The benefits of the Hybrid HDD
1. Reduced boot time and improved system capacity
HHDD has flash memory playing a supplementary role to DRAM in order to dramatically reduce the
boot time and improve system capacity. As the read-function of flash memory is much faster than
that of a hard disk drive, it is possible to have the boot image file for a personal computer or other
user files stored using the flash beforehand and read in order to achieve a faster system speed. This is
particularly valuable for an OS that employs a 3D interface, such as Windows Vista.
2. Reduced power consumption.
HHDD uses less electricity. Through the OS paging-out process (virtual memory manager stores
unnecessary data onto the hard disk drive), personal computers regularly write data onto the hard
disk drive. In other words, every time data is stored the hard disk drive, the hard drive needs to spin-
up, consuming electricity: the more frequent the writing, the more electricity is consumed. HHDD,
however, enables write-caching of regular data using flash memory in order to minimize the need for
the hard disk drive to spin-up, thereby reducing the system's overall power consumption.
3. Improved durability and reliability
HHDD offers improved durability and reliability. Insofar as the need for the HDD to spin-up is
minimized, this also serves to shorten the duty cycle of the HDD, lowering the probability of head-
media collisions and errors (off-track write, etc). This can lead to increasing the MTBF.
Samsung Hard Disk Drive 2007 Product Guide
Overview
Along with the development of mobile applications, mobile storage media is fast emerging as a hot
issue. The growing trend toward mobility can easily be witnessed at some companies where
employees are provided with notebook computers so that they can move to conference rooms at
their convenience. This is just one example, but it is clear that today there is a demand for improved
mobility. At the center of this issue is the hard disk. Mobile applications require several features from
hard disks, including low energy consumption and the ability to absorb external shock. These
requirements are especially important in the case of notebook computers. Other features required by
users of personal computers include fast boot times and data stability. Hybrid hard disk drive (HHDD)
refers to a leading product that incorporates the advantages of flash into the hard disk drive,
satisfying the requirements like energy consumption and reduced boot time. HHDD adds NV Cache (
Non-Volatile Cache ) to the conventional hard disk drive; significantly improving the read and write
caching functions for the enhancement of data input/output as well as the computer's overall
capacity. Indeed, this is the first type to combine a magnetic storage device with digital
semiconductor. Unlike the hard disk drive, which requires a certain rotational speed (5400 RPM) in
order to boot, HHDD stores the boot-related data in a built-in flash cache memory. This enables an
ultra fast boot time of less than five seconds: a remarkable achievement compared to the current
standard of between 20 and 30 seconds. Additionally, battery life is expected to increase by
approximately 20-50 minutes.
Hybrid HDD
New Era of Storage
R/W
spindle
drive
seek
DRAM
Cache
SOIC/
CPU
OneNAND
Cache
Up to 90% Power Saving
when powered down
Read and Write instantly
while spindle stopped
ATA Interface
Hybrid Disk Drive Benefits
igher..
..
oot and Resume..
esistance..
nstant access..
uce Power Consumption..
..
..Reliabilit
..Faster
..Better shock
..
..Re
