Which devices are typically considered secondary storage?

• A. HDDs, SSDs, CDs, and SD cards
• B. RAM and cache
• C. CPU registers
• D. Power supply units and cables.

Answer: (A)

Secondary storage consists of non-volatile media used to keep data long-term, outside the system’s immediate working memory. HDDs, SSDs, CDs, and SD cards all fit this role because they store data persistently and retain it when power is off, making them suitable for long-term storage and large capacity.

In contrast, RAM and cache are primary storage. They are volatile and provide very fast access for active programs, but they lose their contents when power is removed. CPU registers hold even smaller, extremely fast amounts of data for the current computations. Power supplies and cables aren’t storage at all; they simply deliver electrical power to the components.