SSD vs HDD; Which is better
Long ago, PCs and laptops are built with Hard Disk Drives – HDDs. These HDDs are bulky and thick. To fix these issues, Solid-State drives were developed. Today, SSDs were used along with PCs and making the total form factor smaller and lighter.
This article will give you a simplified explanation of the difference between Hard-Disk Drives and Solid-State Drives.
Simplified Explanation – SSD vs HDD; Which is better?
We’ve created a bulleted list for simplified explanation of their differences
Solid State Drive
- They use a simple memory chip called NAND flash memory.
- It has no moving parts
- all data is stored in integrated circuits.
- dramatically reduce access time since users don’t have to wait for platter rotation to start up.
- SSDs are often much smaller than HDDs
The name Solid State Drive comes from the term – Solid State – because it has no moving parts, and all of its data are stored on ICs or integrated circuits. Without a moving part, like a spinning disk, its size is dramatically reduced, resulting in a faster access time. Meaning, you don’t have to wait for the disk rotation to start things up. Also, its reduced size makes it more flexible to install for smaller devices such as laptops, etc.
Hard Disk Drive
- HDDs rely on spinning disks, to read and write data.
- is a traditional storage device that uses mechanical platters
- It has spinning disks inside where data is stored magnetically.
- HDDs are also heavier and use more energy
The Hard Disk drive is different. Unlike SSD, it is a traditional storage device that uses a mechanical platter – a moving part, the spinning disks. HDDs rely on the spinning disks to read and write. These spinning disks are where the data stored magnetically. Since it uses a spinning disk, it takes a lot more space when installed on a pc or a laptop. That’s why HDDs aren’t used for laptops today.
The clear winner in this part is the SSD.
SSD vs HDD; Which is better
Speed Differences
When we are talking about speed, the most popular choice is the SSD. Like we have mentioned before, it has no moving parts, and uses flash memory. This makes it the number choice today for faster boot-up time and fewer delays when doing heavy computing tasks.
A typical SSD offers up to 10x faster reads and 20x faster write speeds compared to a hard Disk Drive.
This extra speed that the SSD can provide may be a game-changer, especially when using a laptop for school, office, or business.
In this arena, SSD remains the clear winner.
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Storage Capacity and Price
When we talk about storage capacity, they are the same. You can definitely find a 128GB to 4TB SSD in the market today. You find the same specs for HDD also.
However, there’s a small difference in its cost. A 1TB Hard drive can cost you between $30-$60 USD, while the cheapest SSD with the same internal storage starts at $80.
This might be a big disadvantage for you, especially if you store massive files on your computer. The higher the storage capacity of an SSD the more expensive it is.
On the other side, HDDs will remain cheap since it is older, and more established technology than SSD.
But, if you’re not the kind of person who doesn’t store huge data files, then an SSD will still suit your needs. 1TB SSD is large enough for basic office works, and a minimal gaming lifestyle.
Reliability, Durability & Lifespan
It is good for you to know that having no moving parts make the SSD the best choice no matter where you want to use it.
The most common problem with disk drives is when you accidentally drop them. If you drop a hard disk drive, most probably it will not work anymore. Also, sometimes, the read/write heads of the system might fly over the platter, damaging the files stored in the drive.
The no-moving parts make the SSD more advantageous, most likely; your data will be safe in the event you drop it off.
In theory, an SSD has a lifespan of a decade before the cell in it wears out. It is the same with the HDD, having a lifespan of a decade. What matters is how frequently you use it, how many files do you transfer over time, and how much data storage do use to store all these data.
SSD vs HDD; Which is better
Verdict
The clear winner is the SSD. There’s a huge difference between SSD and HDD. The form factor, the speed, the energy usage, durability, lifespan, and price. All points belong to SSD. The price isn’t a big disadvantage for SSD. The price of SSDs continues to decrease, making them more available for all types of consumers, and gaming enthusiasts as well.
If you’re the type of person that requires a huge data storage, then most probably you need a data center or Network Attached Storage – NAS. It is a separate storage device where you store all your files.
Many video editors and graphic designers use this kind of device so they can store more data.
