SSDs, or solid-state drives, and HDDs, or hard disk drives, are the two main storage technologies used in computers today. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to factors like speed, lifespan, and cost. So which one is better for most users – SSD or HDD? Here’s a quick overview of how they compare:
Speed: SSDs are much faster than HDDs because they have no moving parts and use flash memory. SSDs have very fast random read/write speeds, while HDDs are limited by disk rotation and arm movement.
Durability: SSDs are more durable and shock-resistant than HDDs since they don’t have fragile moving platters and heads. However, HDDs can theoretically last longer before failing.
Storage capacity: HDDs are available in larger capacities currently than SSDs. High capacity SSDs are more expensive than HDDs.
Price: SSDs are more expensive than HDDs in terms of cost per gigabyte. But smaller SSDs can be comparable in price to HDDs.
So if speed is the priority, then SSDs are the better choice. But HDDs can make sense for high capacity bulk storage needs if budget is a concern. Let’s do a more detailed comparison of the pros and cons.
SSD Advantages Over HDD
Here are some of the key areas where SSDs have an edge over traditional HDDs:
Faster load and boot times: SSDs can boot computer systems and load applications much faster than HDDs. This is because SSDs have no moving parts and can access data instantly. HDDs require spinning up the platters to access data.
Faster file transfers: Copying or moving files on an SSD happens much quicker due to the fast read/write speeds. SSDs use flash memory chips that are not limited by physical constraints of disk rotation and head movement.
Better responsiveness: Programs and files stored on an SSD open much more quickly. Games installed on an SSD also benefit from faster level loading times. The overall system feels more snappy.
Quieter operation: SSDs are completely silent since they have no moving parts. HDDs can sometimes be audible due to the spinning platters and head seeks.
Lower power consumption: SSDs are often more power efficient than HDDs, maximizing laptop battery life. Flash memory chips draw less power than spinning platters and head actuators.
Compact and lightweight: 2.5-inch SSDs weigh about 1/3 as much as a similar form factor HDD. And M.2 NVMe SSDs are even smaller and lighter than 2.5-inch drives.
More shock/vibration resistant: SSDs can withstand accidental drops or impacts much better than HDDs because they don’t have sensitive moving head components.
Overall, the performance advantages of SSDs over HDDs are substantial. The speed differences are immediately noticeable for booting, loading applications, file transfers, and game level loads. And SSDs operate quietly and efficiently.
HDD Advantages Over SSD
While SSDs are faster and more efficient than HDDs in most regards, traditional hard drives still have some benefits:
Lower cost per gigabyte: HDDs offer more storage capacity for less money compared to similarly priced SSDs. High capacity HDDs are widely available at reasonable prices.
Bigger drive capacities available: Consumer SSD capacities currently max out at around 8-16TB. But HDDs are available in much higher capacities of up to 20TB+. Bigger SSDs remain quite expensive.
Proven long term reliability: HDD designs and manufacturing processes have been refined over decades of development. Their expected lifespans and failure rates are well characterized.
Data recovery possible: HDD data can potentially be recovered using specialized tools even if a physical failure occurs. Recovering data from a failed SSD is generally not possible.
Ability to be repaired if issues occur: HDD issues like head failures can often be resolved by replacing the faulty component. A faulty SSD must be completely replaced.
Higher TBW (terabytes written) ratings: High endurance SSDs designed for frequent writes only match the TBW ratings of some HDDs. Most consumer SSDs have much lower lifespans.
For large capacity bulk storage needs where maximal space and lower cost is preferred over top speed, HDDs retain an advantage. And they offer proven long term reliability as well as potential recovery options if failures occur down the road.
SSD and HDD Technology Comparison
The fundamental technology inside SSDs and HDDs differs enormously:
HDDs – Magnetic media platters: HDDs use spinning magnetic platters to store data. Read/write heads move across the platters while they spin to access data. The platters are organized into tracks divided into sectors to store data.
SSDs – Silicon flash memory chips: SSDs use interconnected flash memory chips to store data. The chips contain memory cells arranged in arrays that can be electrically programmed and erased.
Data access – mechanical vs. electronic: To access a particular piece of data, an HDD head must physically move to the correct track and wait for the desired sector to rotate under it. This takes on average 5-10 milliseconds. An SSD can access any data electronically within microseconds.
Performance factors: HDD performance is limited by physical constraints like platter rotation speeds. SSD speeds are mostly limited by the interface connecting them to the computer. Newer PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 SSDs can reach 7-14GB/s data transfer speeds.
Power consumption: HDDs use more electricity due to the energy required to spin the platters and move the heads. SSD electricity use is minimal due to having no moving parts.
Noise output: HDDs emit audible noise from the spinning platters, heads moving, and vibrations. SSDs are completely silent with their lack of any moving parts.
Shock resistance: HDDs must park their heads and lock the platters when impacted to prevent damage. SSDs have no shock sensitivity and can withstand high impacts.
The underlying technology of SSDs allows for faster data access, quicker responsiveness, lower power use, silent operation, and greater physical shock resistance. But HDD capacities remain larger and prices lower.
SSD and HDD Price Comparison
One major difference between SSDs and HDDs is the typical price paid for each gigabyte of storage capacity:
HDD cost: High capacity HDDs over 12TB currently cost around $15-20 per TB. Lower capacity basic HDDs can cost as little as $10-15 per TB.
SSD cost: At the budget end, basic SATA SSDs cost $60-100 per TB. Faster PCIe NVMe SSDs cost $100-150 per TB in the middle range. High performance SSDs can cost over $200 per TB.
Price crossover point: For standard SATA SSDs, the price per gigabyte evens out compared to HDDs at around 500GB-1TB. 500GB SSDs and 1TB HDDs often have similar entry-level pricing.
Percentage of storage cost: For a high end PC build, storage might account for 10-15% of the total cost if using an HDD. With an SSD it would be 25-30% for an equivalent capacity.
Average PC usage capacity needs: The average PC user typically needs 128GB to 512GB of capacity for boot drive storage space based on OS, apps, and moderate file storage. 1-6TB would be sufficient total capacity for most users’ needs.
While SSD prices continue to decrease gradually, they remain several times more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs once above the 1TB range. For modest storage needs under 1TB an SSD is fairly affordable, but most users requiring multi-terabyte bulk storage will stick with HDDs.
Lifespan and Reliability Comparison
How long SSDs and HDDs will last and avoid failures depends on a number of factors:
Annualized failure rate: Typical HDDs have an annual failure rate of around 0.5-1.5%, meaning 1-1.5% would be projected to fail each year of operation. Consumer grade SSDs have lower failure rates, often less than 1% annually.
Total lifespan: Most HDDs are rated for a workload lifetime of around 550TB total bytes written (TBW). Consumer SSDs range from just 50-300TBW for the low cost models, while high endurance SSDs designed for heavy workloads are rated for up to 10 petabytes written.
Warranty periods: HDD warranties range from 2-5 years typically. Budget SSDs come with just 2-3 year warranties, while higher end SSDs offer 5 year or even 10 year limited warranties against defects and early failure.
Lifespan extensions: SSDs gradually start slowing in performance as they approach the limits of the total data that can be written to them over their lifetime. HDDs maintain consistent performance but have higher failure rates later into their lifetime.
Failure modes: If an SSD wears out or exceeds its write limits it will become read-only. If a mechanical HDD fails it could be due to issues like head crashes or motor problems.
Both SSDs and HDDs are generally reliable for average consumer workloads. But SSDs appear to have lower failure rates, especially when considering budget models not meant for heavy duty use. And SSD lifespans are impacted more by the total data written over time, while HDDs fail unpredictably but somewhat more frequently as they age.
Performance Comparison
SSD and HDD real-world speeds can vary significantly based on the specific drive model, interface used, and type of workload:
Benchmark speed comparison (typical sequential speeds):
| SSD Interface | Read Speed | Write Speed |
| SATA SSD | 500MB/s | 500MB/s |
| NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD | 3,000MB/s | 2,000MB/s |
| NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD | 7,000MB/s | 5,000MB/s |
| HDD (for comparison) | 150MB/s | 150MB/s |
Real-world speedup examples:
| Task | HDD Time | SATA SSD Time | NVMe SSD Time |
| OS Boot | 45 seconds | 15 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Game Level Load | 1 minute | 20 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Large File Copy | 4 minutes | 1 minute | 30 seconds |
The performance differences between HDDs and SSDs is substantial, with NVMe SSDs being up to 5-10x faster than HDDs. Boot, app/game launch, and file transfer times are significantly reduced with SSDs.
Bottom Line Recommendations
Given all the comparison factors, what are the best recommendations for choosing between HDDs and SDDs?
OS and applications SSD: Use a 500GB-1TB SATA or NVMe SSD as your primary boot drive for noticeably faster system performance. This takes full advantage of SSD speed benefits.
Gaming SSD (optional): Use a large SATA or NVMe SSD, such as 1-2TB, as a secondary drive to store your game library for faster load times.
Data/media HDD: Use one or more large 4-10TB HDDs as tertiary storage drives for bulk media files, documents, photos, videos, backups, and other data at a low cost per gigabyte.
External portable HDD: Use a small external USB HDD, such as 2.5-inch 2TB models, for transporting files or backups that don’t need SSD performance.
Network attached storage (NAS): For centralized bulk home data storage to access from multiple devices, use a NAS with multi-bay HDDs instead of standalone desktop HDDs.
With a dual drive setup of a primary SSD and secondary HDD combination, you can enjoy both fast system performance and ample, low cost storage capacity. Add external and networked storage to meet backup, portability, and centralized access needs. Mix and match SSDs and HDDs tailored to each specific use case.
Conclusion
In summary, SSDs offer tremendous speed and performance benefits over HDDs for boot drives, app/game storage, and when fast access is needed. But HDDs retain advantages in price per gigabyte and very high capacities for bulk data storage scenarios. The ideal setup is using SSDs where their strengths lie, and HDDs for affordability and capacity. With a thoughtful configuration optimized for performance and value, you can build a PC that balances the best of both worlds.