Having both a solid state drive (SSD) and a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) in your computer can provide some clear benefits. SSDs are faster, more reliable, and consume less power than HDDs. However, SSDs are more expensive and have less storage capacity. Using both together allows you to get the speed of an SSD alongside the storage capacity of an HDD at a reasonable cost.
Quick answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about using an SSD/HDD combo:
- An SSD can speed up boot times, application launches, and file transfers compared to an HDD.
- You can install your operating system and most used applications on the SSD for faster performance.
- An HDD provides more storage capacity for the money compared to an SSD.
- Files, photos, videos and other media can be stored on the larger HDD.
- An SSD/HDD combo provides a balance of speed and storage capacity.
- The total cost is lower than buying a large, expensive SSD for all your storage needs.
SSD Advantages
Solid state drives have some clear benefits over traditional spinning hard drives that make them desirable in many computer setups:
Faster Speeds
SSDs provide much faster data access speeds than HDDs. A typical SATA SSD may have read/write speeds of around 500-550 MB/s compared to just 80-160 MB/s for a spinning HDD. This is because an SSD has no moving parts and data can be accessed electronically from flash memory cells. HDDs rely on physical platter rotations and head movements which limit their speed.
This means boot times can be dramatically reduced with an SSD. Where an HDD boot may take 30-90 seconds, an SSD can boot in just 10-25 seconds. Application launch times also benefit from an SSD’s faster data access.
Better Reliability
With no moving parts, SSDs are more rugged and reliable than HDDs. Vibration, movement and drops are much less likely to cause errors or damage an SSD. HDDs rely on precise mechanical movements of the drive head over the platter, making them more prone to damage from shock or vibration.
SSDs also run cooler and make no noise. Long term reliability is also better. While HDDs may last around 3-5 years on average, a quality SSD can last up to 10 years even with heavy daily use.
Lower Power Consumption
Drawing less power gives SSDs another advantage over HDDs. Typical idle power consumption of an SSD may be around 0.1-0.2W whereas an HDD may use around 2-7W. This makes SSDs better suited for laptops and devices where extending battery life is important.
The lower power draw also means less heat is produced so SSDs don’t need cooling fans like some HDDs require. Overall system cooling requirements can be reduced with SSDs installed.
HDD Advantages
While SSDs have some clear benefits, traditional spinning hard drives still have some advantages that make them desirable for certain uses:
Lower Cost Per Gigabyte
HDDs continue to offer more storage capacity for the money. Typical SSD costs are around 10-20 cents per gigabyte. HDD costs are between 2-5 cents per gigabyte. So a large capacity 4TB or 6TB HDD is much cheaper than a SSD of the same size. HDDs allow more storage for less money.
For mass storage of media files like photos, music and videos where fast access speeds are less critical, HDDs are a more budget-friendly option. Multi-terabyte HDDs provide substantial capacity for under $100.
Bigger Capacities Available
HDDs are available in larger capacities than SSDs. While 4TB SSDs exist, they are very expensive at around $500. In comparison, 4TB HDDs can easily be found starting from under $100. Higher capacities like 10TB+ are common among HDDs, while rare for SSDs.
For storing large volumes of rarely accessed data, HDDs provide capacities unmatchable by affordable SSDs. Offline media collections and infrequently used files are suitable for large HDD storage.
Established Technology
HDD tech has been around for decades and is well proven. SSDs are newer and standards are still evolving. While SSD reliability has improved, unrecoverable read errors and other firmware bugs are not unheard of. HDDs have well known characteristics while SSDs provide more unknown long term reliability.
For applications requiring absolute data integrity over decades, HDDs may be a safer choice vs SSDs. Archival storage with infrequent access but need for perfect data retention favors the more predictable performance of HDDs.
Ideal Uses for SSD/HDD Combos
Given the different strengths of SSDs and HDDs, using both in a computer can provide an ideal combination of speed and storage capacity. Some examples of how to effectively utilize each in a combo setup include:
OS & Apps on SSD
Installing the operating system and most used applications on the SSD will allow for fast booting and launching. The most accessed data is put on the fastest storage for maximum performance. An SSD of 256GB-512GB capacity is usually sufficient for the OS and key apps.
Files & Media on HDD
Media files like photos, videos, music and documents can be stored on a large capacity HDD. These files are accessed less frequently so speed is less critical. Bulk storage of data is handled by the HDD. 1TB or larger HDDs are common for additional storage.
Games on SSD
Gamers can install games to an SSD to decrease loading times. Putting the game OS and program files on an SSD improves level loading, texture loading and reduces in-game hitching. Frequently played games benefit the most from SSD installation.
Backup Storage on HDD
Because HDDs typically have much larger capacities, they provide an ideal destination for system backups. Larger files changed less often are suitable for storing on HDDs. Periodic backups to an external HDD can provide protection against data loss.
Potential Drawbacks of SSD/HDD Combos
While combining SSDs and HDDs can yield cost-effective performance, there are some potential negatives of this approach:
Increased Complexity
Using two different drives means data is spread across both the SSD and HDD. This can increase setup complexity vs using a single drive. The OS must be configured to install apps and files to the appropriate drive. User file storage must be directed to the HDD rather than filling up the SSD.
Potential Compatibility Issues
There is a small chance of compatibility or driver problems using an SSD boot drive with an HDD storage drive. Systems optimized and tested for only HDDs may potentially experience issues with SSD boot drive and HDD data drive combinations in some cases.
Increased Failure Risk
Using two physical drives instead of one means there is double the chance of a drive failure. If either the SSD or HDD fails, data loss or system downtime can occur. However, keeping important data backed up externally minimizes this risk.
Extra Upgrades Difficult
Upgrading individual components is trickier with an SSD/HDD combo. For example, replacing the SSD with a larger model means reinstalling the OS and applications. Likewise, swapping the HDD for a bigger model requires data migration. Mixing drive types commits you to more work with future upgrades.
Tips for Effectively Combining SSDs and HDDs
If you choose to run your system with both an SSD and HDD, here are some tips for effective setup and usage:
Fresh OS Install on SSD
Performing a fresh OS installation on the new SSD will provide maximum performance and avoid quirks from cloning an HDD-optimized OS. Install essential apps at the same time.
Keep 10-20% SSD Free
Leaving the SSD around 10-20% free allows for fast performance. Filling the SSD completely causes slowdowns. Move media files or documents off the SSD when it approaches 70-80% full.
Enable AHCI Mode
Enabling AHCI mode in the motherboard BIOS settings allows the SSD to perform at its fastest. AHCI mode is essential for high speed SSD operation.
Optimize Data Locations
Store user files such as documents/media on the HDD and OS/apps on the SSD. Redirect user folders under Properties to point them at HDD locations rather than the boot SSD.
Disable Hibernation & Pagefile on SSD
Moving the pagefile to the HDD and disabling hibernation mode will protect the SSD from unnecessary writes which reduce its lifespan. Keep the SSD as clear as possible.
Back Up Irreplaceable Data
Always maintain backups of important files and data regardless of your chosen drive setup. Redundancy protects against failure. Strategically backing up to an external HDD provides an extra layer of data protection.
Conclusion
Using a combination of an SSD and HDD allows you to get the benefits of both technologies in a computer system. The SSD provides faster performance for the OS, applications and games while the HDD offers larger capacities for bulk data storage. While a single drive type is simpler, the SSD/HDD combo offers speed, storage capacity and value that optimizes most PC setups.