When building or buying a new computer, one of the most fundamental questions is whether you need a hard drive. A hard drive provides long-term storage for all your files, programs, photos, music and more. But with the proliferation of solid state drives (SSDs) and cloud storage options, do you still need a traditional hard drive?
What is a hard drive?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital data. It consists of one or more rigid rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material. The data is read in a non-volatile manner using one or more read/write heads.
The device is connected to a computer through an interface like SATA, SAS, or FC. This allows the OS to communicate and access the data. Modern HDDs are available in sizes ranging from 20GB to 16TB to meet different storage requirements.
Types of hard drives
There are two main types of hard drives found in modern computers:
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
A traditional hard drive has spinning metallic platters inside that store data magnetically. Data is written and retrieved using a read/write head that hovers over the platters. HDDs have been the storage standard for decades. They offer high capacity at a relatively low cost but are larger, use more power and are slower than SSDs.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
An SSD uses flash memory chips to store data electronically. Without any moving parts, SSDs are smaller, faster, lighter and more power efficient than HDDs. But SSDs are more expensive per gigabyte and currently max out at around 4TB capacity.
Key differences between HDDs and SSDs
| Feature | HDD | SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Storage medium | Magnetic platters | Flash memory chips |
| Speed | Slower due to physical moving parts | Faster without any moving parts |
| Size and weight | Larger and heavier | Smaller and lighter |
| Reliability | More likely to fail due to moving parts | No moving parts so less likely to fail |
| Power consumption | Higher power draw | Lower power use |
| Noise | Audible clicks and spin noise | Silent operation |
| Capacity | Typically up to 10TB | Typically up to 4TB |
| Cost per gigabyte | Lower | Higher |
Do I need a hard drive in my PC?
Whether you need a hard drive depends on how you intend to use your computer. Here are some scenarios where you would want a HDD:
- You need abundant and inexpensive storage space. HDDs offer huge amounts of storage – up to 10TB on consumer models. The cost per gigabyte is low, so they are ideal for budget-focused storage.
- You want to store a large media collection. The spacious capacities make HDDs well-suited for storing photos, videos, music and games.
- You regularly work with large files. The performance of HDDs is sufficient for typical workloads like office productivity, web browsing and messaging. Their higher capacities can accommodate large project files.
- You need durable long-term storage. HDDs retain data even when powered off, unlike SSDs which use volatile memory. This makes them suitable for archival storage.
- You are building a desktop PC. Most desktop PCs have vacant bays to install HDDs. An HDD allows taking advantage of the unused space to add abundant storage.
On the other hand, there are some cases where an HDD may not be necessary:
- You want maximum performance. SSDs are much faster than HDDs for booting, loading apps and files, and gaming. Their speed enhances overall system responsiveness.
- You mainly use web apps and store files in the cloud. With minimal local storage needs, you can get by with only an SSD or opt for a smaller HDD.
- You are getting a laptop with limited space. Laptops only have room for one or two drives. An SSD will provide speed and acceptable capacity without needing a separate HDD.
- You want silence and portability. The noise and bulk of HDDs are undesirable in compact quiet PCs meant for bedrooms, classrooms or travel.
Should I get an HDD or SSD?
For most users, the ideal setup is an SSD paired with an HDD. Here are the advantages of this combination:
- Boot and load faster. Install Windows and apps on the SSD to benefit from its speed.
- Faster access to frequently used files. Store often-used programs, games and files on the SSD for quick loading.
- Cost-effectiveness. Store your full media library, backups and other data on the economical HDD.
- High capacity. Use the HDD for extra storage space for photos, videos, music etc.
- Performance and storage. Get the best of speed and space without compromise.
An SSD on its own may be sufficient if you:
– Only use your PC for web browsing, email, office work etc.
– Primarily stream media from online services
– Rely on cloud storage for most of your files
– Regularly backup files to an external HDD
An HDD alone can be suitable when:
– You need tons of storage on a tight budget
– Don’t require maximum system performance
– Have an older system that can’t fully utilize an SSD’s speed
Tips for choosing the right hard drive
HDD buying considerations
Look for these specs when selecting an internal HDD:
- Capacity – Buy more than you need today to accommodate future growth. 1-2TB is typical for everyday use while 4TB+ is good for media collections.
- Form factor – Ensure compatibility with your PC’s bays. Common form factors are 3.5″ and 2.5″.
- RPM speed – 7200 RPM offers the best performance for PCs. 5400 RPM saves power for external drives.
- Cache size – Larger caches (64MB+) improve performance and reduce latency.
- Interface – SATA III is the latest interface supported by most consumer PCs and motherboards.
- Workload rating – Choose a drive rated for desktop or NAS use for best reliability under continuous operation.
SSD buying considerations
Keep these aspects in mind when getting an SSD:
- Capacity – 250GB to 1TB is common. Match to your budget and space requirements.
- Form factor – 2.5″ for laptops and desktops. M.2 form factor saves more space.
- Interface – SATA III for compatibility. NVMe for max speeds on newer systems.
- Memory type – TLC and MLC NAND flash offer good bang for buck. Avoid older TLC drives.
- Warranty length – 5 years is ideal. It indicates manufacturer confidence in longevity.
- Endurance rating – Higher terabyte written (TBW) ratings indicate cells can withstand more writes before wearing out.
Reputable brands like Samsung, Crucial, WD and Seagate are safe bets for both HDDs and SSDs.
Maintaining and optimizing hard drives
To keep your drives running smoothly:
- Defragment HDDs periodically using the native Disk Defragmenter in Windows.
- Use the TRIM command on SSDs to help maintain write performance.
- Clean install Windows on the SSD for optimal performance.
- Keep at least 10-15% free space to prevent slowdowns as the drive fills up.
- Use the disk cleanup utility to remove temporary files and other unneeded data.
- Scan drives for errors using CHKDSK or third-party tools to detect bad sectors.
- Securely erase and reformat older HDDs before reuse or disposal.
Enabling write caching can speed up disk writes but requires a UPS for data protection in case of power loss.
Future hard drive technologies
While HDDs and SSDs dominate the market currently, new technologies are emerging including:
HAMR HDDs – Use lasers and magnetic nanoparticles to enable capacities up to 80TB. Seagate is shipping 20TB models.
MAMR HDDs – Rely on multiple read/write heads to boost density. Western Digital offers 20TB MAMR drives.
SSD NVMe Add-in Cards – PCIe cards with multiple NVMe SSDs for blazing transfer speeds and bandwidth.
Z-NAND SSDs – Novel architecture by Intel to deliver high capacity, reduced latency and data protection.
3D XPoint – Non-volatile flash memory developed by Intel and Micron for fast performance with 1000x endurance over NAND flash.
Memristors – Resistive memory technology that could enable SSDs with lifetimes of decades. Still in R&D stage.
DNA storage – Use synthetic DNA for ultra-dense long-term archival storage. Microsoft and others are researching this concept.
Conclusion
While SSDs are displacing HDDs in many roles due to declining costs, traditional hard drives still serve an important purpose in PCs due to their unmatched storage capacity. Most computers can benefit from a combination of an SSD for the OS and apps paired with an HDD for bulk data storage. Standalone SSDs also work for systems with modest storage needs.
HDDs continue advancing with higher capacities and will remain a viable option where massive cheap storage is required. But SSDs are taking over as the primary drive in client PCs and servers thanks to plummeting prices and innate speed advantages. For future builds, carefully weigh your performance versus capacity needs and budget when choosing between HDDs and SSDs.