Unlike the CPU and RAM, hard disk drives do not require a power source to retain information/data. In case of power loss, information stored in the CPU and RAM is lost while that stored in the hard disk is retained but may be corrupted depending on the type of operation that was in progress during the power loss.

Retrieval and storage of information from disk drives takes much longer as they use mechanical heads to read and write information to the cylinders of the disk. Storage areas in RAM and in the CPU can be accessed with equal speed while on the hard disk, movement of the disk head to the requested disk block/blocks where information is stored is necessary.

Practices such as disk defragmentation and cleanups can help improve file retrieval and overall performance of your applications. It is therefore crucial to manage the disk storage carefully with the retrieval and processing of data in mind. You also need to identify a suitable file system for your operating system to ensure the best performance possible.

Understanding the main architectural differences and issues that may occur with different computer hardware profiles can help identify a suitable hardware performance and disaster management strategy that would be suitable for your needs.