The SSD or Solid State Drive is the latest technology for the more advanced computer, as compared to the HDD which has been around for quite some time.
SSDs are used not only in high-end personal computers but also in other devices such as Smartphones and tablets.
The SSD drives have been designed for use in computers that require fast data access, quick boot-ups, and low power consumption.
It is important to note that SSDs don’t come cheap when compared with HDDs and can cost about 2-3 times more than their counterparts depending on storage capacity.
The debate over SSD vs HDD has always been raging, with many people wondering which is better. In this article, we’ll look at the SSD drive and compare it to its predecessor HDDs.
What is HDD?
HDDs are hard disk drives that use magnetic storage to save data. They are traditionally used in servers and computers because they can hold much more data than an SSD.
HDDs are also cheaper for the amount of storage they offer and their non-volatile properties make them a much safer option as compared to SSDs.
HDDs have their disadvantages though, not the least being slow speeds of data access. In addition, they consume a lot of power since the read/write heads need to move around all the time in order to access data from various parts of the drive.
This makes HDD-based systems less efficient as compared to SSDs which are much faster and don’t require mechanical movement when data is accessed.
What is SSD?
SSD, meaning Solid State Drive, is a storage device built around flash memory. The first SSDs were USB flash drives. They were embedded into the motherboard of smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Today’s solid-state hard drive has a full-fledged SATA interface and can even be fitted into a standard 3.5″ hard drive enclosure. They are also available as an external hard drive which helps you take your data bank everywhere.
Unlike HDDs, SSDs consume little power as compared to hard disk drives. This makes them perfect for devices that are used on a battery pack (laptops) or need fast boot-ups (desktops).
SSD vs. HDD: Pricing
When it comes to pricing, HDDs are the cheaper option when you buy them in large quantities. SSDs on the other hand can be more expensive but they offer much faster speed when accessing data and consume less power.
For example, a 1TB SSD would cost $80-$100 whereas the same 1TB HDD would cost around $60-$80.
This price difference makes up for itself over time because of the higher efficiency rate of an SSD drive.
However, SSDs have become cheaper over the years and are now within striking distance of HDDs.
It is, therefore, safe to say that in a few years, SSDs will become the default option when it comes to storage devices, overtaking the HDD.
SSD vs. HDD: Access Time & Speed
The speed of your computer can depend on three different components: the RAM, GPU(Graphics Card), and processor.
However, when it comes to loading speeds or data transfer rates – this is where SSDs outshine HDDs with a 3-4 times faster time in these areas!
Even the most basic SSD can be more than twice as fast as a standard HDD when it comes to reading/writing speeds. A well-configured HDD can go beyond this performance, but not by much.
No matter how high the speed of an HDD is, though, it will always be slower compared to an SSD which has access to data almost instantly.
This is because an SSD stores the information differently than an HDD so that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for more quickly.
SSD vs. HDD: Reliability & Durability
One of the biggest disadvantages of SSDs is their lack of durability.
Remember, unlike HDD units which are rugged pieces that can last for years without requiring any maintenance, an SSD drive employs flash memory chips that have a limited amount of reading/write cycles before they fail.
In tests, SSD drives have been found to only work for about 3-4 years (no more) while HDD drives are known to last well over 10 years.
As such, you’d need to keep on buying new storage devices in order to maintain your computer’s performance as it gets older and slower.
For this reason, if you’re going for a laptop or desktop solution, it would be better to choose a system with both SSD and HDD drives.
This way, you can have all the data on your hard drive while having quick boot times by using your solid-state drive as well.
SSD vs. HDD: Form Factors
The biggest difference between an SSD drive and an HDD is their form factor. Current-day HDDs have a standard 3.5″ enclosure which can easily fit into any PC tower or desktop setup.
SSDs, meanwhile, are available in 2.5″ enclosures; they’re not as large but just as effective when used for regular devices like regular laptops and tablets.
HDD also comes in external enclosures called hard drives with USB interfaces that you can use anywhere to serve as storage devices for your data files!
The best thing about these USB hard drives is the fact that they don’t require much power so you can use them on the go without worrying about having to charge their battery pack after making use of it for hours at a time.
SSD vs. HDD: Noise Production
Another difference that you’ll see between SSDs and HDDs is their noise production. While HDD drives have rotating platters to store data which makes them susceptible to physical damage, SSDs don’t have any moving parts so they won’t produce as much sound.
You can think of it like this: the faster a hard drive spins, the more likely it is to suffer from physical failures due to intense friction caused by its continuous rotations.
Solid-state drives are built differently than hard disk drives so they’re not affected at all by excessive heat or noise.
SSD vs. HDD: Data Capacity
The last significant difference between SSDs and HDDs is found within their storage capacities.
Hard disk drives come in sizes ranging from 500GB up to 8TB while SSDs have a range of 128GB to 2TB with some units having up to 4TB storage space.
As such, solid-state drives are better suited for people who don’t store as much data on their devices since they can pay less for something that is smaller and more portable. Keep in the mind though, that the longer a hard drive is in use, the slower it will become.
So if you’re purchasing an HDD today, expect it to be slower compared to when you bought it 2-3 years later!
SSD or HDD for Gaming?
Many gamers, before purchasing a gaming laptop or building their gaming pc, don’t know which of the two hard drive types they should invest in.
However, we suggest you should buy an SSD and use a regular HDD as a backing storage device for your gaming rig.
The main reason for this is that you’ll have an SSD drive that can load games in seconds; it will allow you to save time and effort by having a simple installation that won’t require a long wait time like with HDDs.
Once installed, you can transfer your SSD storage to a desktop PC and use it for the operating systems, programs, games, and everything else you need!
Conclusion
An SSD offers faster boot-up speeds, lower power consumption and higher read/write capabilities compared to HDDs.
Although they’re considered more expensive than normal hard drives, solid-state drives are the better choice for people who need more performance from their devices.
If you have a laptop or PC that uses an older HDD, think about replacing it with an SSD to have a hardware upgrade without spending too much money!
Today’s storage requirements will only keep getting bigger so try not to hold on to old units for too long. Start your research now and look for newer storage devices that are affordable yet still deliver great performance as time passes!
Which one of these do you like? Why? Tell us in the comment section below and don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends on social media! Stay Tuned for more!