Solid state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs offer faster read/write speeds, lower latency, better reliability, and other advantages compared to HDDs. But SSDs also tend to be more expensive per gigabyte of storage. So is it worth paying extra for an SSD?
What is an SSD?
An SSD is a type of storage device that uses flash memory to store data persistently. Unlike an HDD, an SSD has no moving mechanical components – data is stored on microchips. This allows SSDs to access data much faster than HDDs, which rely on physical spinning disks and moving read/write heads.
Some key advantages of SSDs:
- Faster read/write speeds – SSDs can read and write data very quickly, often 10-100x faster than HDDs.
- Lower latency – The lack of moving parts means there is very little “seek time” when accessing data randomly on an SSD.
- Better reliability – With no moving parts, SSDs are less prone to mechanical failure over time.
- Noiseless operation – SSDs make no noise when accessing data.
- Lower power consumption – SSDs consume less power than HDDs.
SSD vs HDD Performance
Let’s look at some benchmarks comparing SSD and HDD performance:
| Test | SSD | HDD |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential read speed | Up to 550 MB/s | Up to 210 MB/s |
| Sequential write speed | Up to 520 MB/s | Up to 210 MB/s |
| Random read speed | Up to 100,000 IOPS | Up to 1200 IOPS |
| Random write speed | Up to 100,000 IOPS | Up to 1200 IOPS |
As you can see, SSDs significantly outperform HDDs on all tests, particularly random read/write operations per second (IOPS). This random performance is vital for tasks like booting an operating system, launching applications, or loading game levels.
SSD Form Factors
SSDs come in several physical forms:
- 2.5″ SATA SSD – The most common type, used as a direct replacement for a 2.5″ laptop or desktop HDD. Connects via SATA interface.
- M.2 SSD – Compact, flash-based card that plugs directly into an M.2 slot on a motherboard. Very small physical size.
- Add-in Card SSD – PCIe-based expansion card that plugs into a PCIe x4 or x16 slot on a motherboard.
2.5″ and M.2 SATA SSDs typically connect via the SATA III interface, which has a maximum throughput of around 550 MB/s. NVMe M.2 and Add-in Card SSDs connect via PCIe 3.0 x4 or higher, enabling speeds over 3000 MB/s.
SSD Capacities and Prices
SSDs are available in capacities ranging from 120GB to 8TB for consumer drives. Enterprise and data center SSDs can be even higher capacity. Pricing depends heavily on capacity and form factor. As a rough estimate…
| SSD Type | Price Per GB |
|---|---|
| 120GB 2.5″ SATA SSD | $0.15 – $0.25 |
| 500GB M.2 SATA SSD | $0.10 – $0.20 |
| 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD | $0.10 – $0.15 |
| 2TB Add-in Card NVMe SSD | $0.10 – $0.12 |
As you can see, the price per gigabyte tends to drop as capacity increases. Form factor also plays a role, with M.2 and add-in card SSDs having a lower cost per GB compared to 2.5″ SSDs.
Should I Buy an SSD?
So should you buy an SSD? Here are some key considerations:
1. Usage Scenario
What will you primarily use the SSD for? For general web browsing, email, and basic office work, an SSD may be overkill. The performance gains may not be noticeable for these light workloads. But for gaming, creative work, video editing, and other demanding tasks, an SSD can make a huge difference.
2. Form Factor Support
Make sure your PC or laptop can support an SSD in the physical form factor you choose. Desktops will typically support 2.5″ or add-in card SSDs. Laptops can usually replace their 2.5″ HDD with a same-sized SATA SSD. Many modern laptops support M.2 SSDs as well.
3. Interface Compatibility
Your motherboard needs an available SATA port for 2.5″ SATA SSDs, and an M.2 slot for M.2 SSDs. Ensure the slot supports SATA or PCIe NVMe based on the SSD type. Add-in card SSDs require an open PCIe x4 or higher slot.
4. Capacity Needs
SSD capacities have grown enormously – up to 8TB consumer drives now exist. Still, SSDs have a higher cost per gigabyte than HDDs. Determine the capacity you realistically need for apps, files, etc. For boot drive only, 250GB – 500GB is likely sufficient.
5. Budget
How much are you willing to spend? Entry-level SATA SSDs start around $50 for 120GB, while high-performance NVMe SSDs can be $200+ for 1TB. Compare your budget to the current SSD pricing for different models and capacities.
6. Performance Requirements
For professional media editing or other performance-intensive tasks, a high-speed NVMe SSD is recommended. For everyday use, a SATA SSD still provides big improvements over an HDD. Evaluate your workload and choose an appropriate SSD.
Advantages of an SSD
The key advantages of switching to an SSD include:
- Faster boot times – An SSD can cut Windows or Linux boot times from over a minute to under 10 seconds.
- Faster loading times – Applications, games, and levels load significantly faster.
- Improved responsiveness – Everything from opening files to installing apps feels more responsive.
- Increased durability – With no moving parts, SSDs better withstand shock, vibration, and temperature changes.
- Cooler and quieter – SSDs generate very little heat and are completely silent.
For laptop users, the gains in boot speed, loading performance, battery life, and durability make SSDs particularly attractive.
Disadvantages of an SSD
There are a few potential downsides to using an SSD:
- Higher cost per gigabyte – SSD pricing has come down but is still higher than HDDs in terms of $/GB.
- Lower capacities – Consumer HDDs go up to 10TB+, while few SSDs exceed 8TB currently.
- Unknown reliability – HDDs have demonstrated good reliability over decades of use. SSDs are a newer technology.
However, the first two disadvantages are mitigated by the continued evolution in SSD technology – prices keep dropping while capacities increase. And SSD reliability has proven to be very good based on field experience thus far.
Migrating to an SSD
When replacing an existing HDD with an SSD, you have a couple options for migrating your OS, applications, and data:
Fresh install
Perform a clean install of your operating system and apps on the new SSD. Then copy over any data files you need from the HDD. This allows you to start fresh and only copy over what you really need.
Clone existing HDD
Use disk cloning software to make an identical copy of your HDD on the new SSD. This makes the entire transition process quick and easy.
On Windows, the free Macrium Reflect makes disk cloning easy. For cloning a Linux drive, dd or Clonezilla can be used.
Maximizing SSD Lifespan
To maximize the lifespan of your SSD:
- Install the SSD firmware and management software from the manufacturer to update to the latest firmware and enable features like TRIM (improves performance and longevity).
- Don’t completely fill up the SSD. Leave about 10-20% free space for optimum performance.
- Don’t hammer the drive with an excessive number of writes. Some uses like constant video recording can wear out an SSD prematurely.
Following the manufacturer’s recommendations will help ensure your SSD lasts as long as possible.
Our SSD Recommendations
Here are some good SSD options to consider across the budget spectrum:
Budget SSD
- Crucial BX500 – Excellent value SATA SSD with solid performance. 120GB – 2TB capacities. 3 year warranty.
- Western Digital Blue SN570 – Affordable NVMe M.2 SSD. Reliable with good read speeds. 250GB – 2TB.
Mid-Range SSD
- Samsung 970 Evo Plus – Top-tier NVMe SSD with great all-around performance. Wide range of capacities up to 2TB.
- Western Digital Black SN750 – PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD focused on gaming and creative work. 500GB – 2TB sizes.
High-End SSD
- Samsung 980 Pro – Blazing fast M.2 NVMe SSD. Leading sequential and random read/write speeds. 250GB – 1TB capacities.
- Seagate FireCuda 530 – PCIe 4.0 SSD with max performance. Ideal for demanding workstation use. 500GB – 4TB options.
Do your research and select an appropriate SSD with the right mix of performance, endurance, and capacity for your needs and budget. Brands like Samsung, Crucial, and Western Digital are trusted names.
Conclusion
Switching from an HDD to an SSD is one of the best upgrades you can make for a PC or laptop. The performance benefits for boot times, application launches, and data access are enormous. SSD prices have come down while capacities increase, making them accessible for mainstream consumers.
For light computing, an entry-level SATA SSD may suffice. Power users will benefit from a high-speed NVMe SSD. Consider your specific usage, form factor support, and budget when deciding. But for most users, migrating to an SSD will dramatically speed up their computing experience.
