If you are looking to upgrade or build a new PC, one of the most important decisions is whether to use a solid state drive (SSD) or traditional hard disk drive (HDD) for storage. SSDs and HDDs both have advantages and disadvantages in terms of performance, price, capacity and longevity. This article will compare SATA SSDs and HDDs to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Quick Answers
SSDs are faster but more expensive per gigabyte. SATA SSDs have much faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs, thanks to flash memory and no moving parts. However, SSDs have a higher price per gigabyte of storage.
HDDs offer more storage capacity for the money. HDDs are available in much higher capacities – up to 10TB for 3.5″ drives. SSD capacities top out at 4TB for the consumer market. So HDDs allow more bulk storage for the dollar.
SSDs consume less power, generate less heat and noise. SSDs are more power efficient since they only use power when reading/writing data. They run cooler and quieter with no spinning platters or moving heads.
HDDs can better withstand heavy write workloads over time. Consumer SSDs are rated for a certain number of drive writes before performance degrades. HDDs do not have this limitation, making them suited for frequently updated storage.
For performance, choose an SSD for your OS/apps. For mass storage, HDDs offer more capacity. The best solution is to use both in your system – smaller SSD for your operating system and frequently used programs, and a larger HDD for bulk storage of files, photos, videos, etc.
Comparing Performance
One of the biggest differences between SSDs and HDDs is performance. Let’s look at some speed comparisons:
| Spec | SATA SSD | HDD 7200 RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read Speed | Up to 550 MB/s | Up to 160 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 520 MB/s | Up to 150 MB/s |
| Random Read IOPS | Up to 100,000 | Up to 1,200 |
| Random Write IOPS | Up to 90,000 | Up to 300 |
As you can see, SATA SSDs outpace HDDs by a huge margin in benchmarks. Random access speeds are especially faster on SSDs due to flash memory and no moving head. This results in much faster boot times for your OS, quicker application/game launches, and overall very snappy performance.
Real World Performance Differences
Let’s look at some real world examples where an SSD will feel much faster than an HDD:
- Boot time – SSDs can boot Windows 10 in under 10 seconds, while HDDs take 30-40 seconds or more.
- Game loading – Games like GTA V or Call of Duty can load levels twice as fast with an SSD.
- App/program launch – Programs like Chrome, Office apps, etc launch instantly with an SSD.
- File transfers – Moving or copying GBs worth of files is significantly faster with SSD.
- File searches – Windows searches and navigating file explorers is snappier with SSD.
For everyday computing, an SSD will make your system feel much more responsive and faster compared to HDD. Things happen instantly instead of making you wait. This is why SSD is recommended for your primary drive with OS and applications.
Comparing Capacities
When it comes to storage capacities, hard drives are the clear winners. Consumer SSDs currently top out at 4TB for the 2.5″ form factor. However, hard drives can offer much bigger capacities:
| Form Factor | HDD Capacity |
|---|---|
| 2.5″ HDD | Up to 5TB |
| 3.5″ HDD | Up to 10TB+ |
If you need massive amounts of storage space – for example to store a media library of movies/music, backups, or games – HDDs are a better solution. Their higher capacities allow for more bulk storage per drive.
On the other hand, if you just need enough capacity for essential programs/apps and some files, an SSD will provide sufficient storage. The most popular SSD capacities are 250GB to 1TB, which is enough for most users.
Comparing Reliability
In terms of reliability, SSDs and HDDs both have advantages and caveats to consider:
- No moving parts in SSDs – With no mechanical parts, SSDs have lower failure rates from shock, vibration, and temperature.
- HDDs can handle drive writes better – Consumer SSDs wear out after a certain number of writes. HDDs do not have this limitation.
- Failure rates dependent on usage – Both can fail from manufacturing defects. But enterprise drives rated for 24/7 use will last longer than consumer models.
Overall, both SSDs and HDDs can adequately provide stable storage for typical consumer workloads. For very heavy workloads, HDDs are a tried and tested solution, while enterprise SSDs can match reliability but at a higher cost.
Comparing Price
Due to the differences in technology, SSDs carry a price premium per gigabyte compared to hard drives. As a rough estimate:
- SATA SSD price – $0.20 per GB for mainstream models
- HDD price – $0.03 to $0.05 per GB depending on speed
Because of this, HDDs allow you to get significantly more storage capacity for your dollar. If you need high capacities on a budget, HDD remains the better choice.
However, SSD pricing has been steadily falling over time. For ordinary users who just need enough capacity for OS, apps, and some files, SSDs are very competitively priced today.
Comparing Power Efficiency
When it comes to power consumption, heat generation, and noise, SSDs are the clear winner. Let’s compare some usage metrics:
| Metric | SATA SSD | HDD |
|---|---|---|
| Idle Power | 0.2 to 2.5W | 2 to 5W |
| Load Power | 0.5 to 4W | 5 to 7W |
| Noise | Silent | Audible clicks/spinning |
| Heat | Minimal | Can run hotter |
SSDs consume less power at idle and load since they only draw current when reading/writing data. HDDs need consistent power to spin the platter and move heads.
SSDs also don’t produce noise from moving parts, while HDD clicks and spin ups can be audible when listening closely. And HDDs generate more heat due to the energy required to spin up and move parts.
So SSDs run cooler, quieter, and use less electricity – making them more efficient and ideal for laptops and computers that need passive cooling.
Lifespan Differences
SSDs and HDDs have differences in lifespan that are important to consider when choosing between them:
- SSD endurance is rated in drive writes – Consumer SSDs last for between 100 to 5,000 cycles before drive failure. Each cycle equals your full SSD capacity written.
- HDDs rated for workload per year – Typically 550TB per year for consumer HDDs. 24/7 enterprise models rated for higher workloads.
- Real-world usage is usually milder – Light consumer workloads will rarely wear out a drive within 5 years for both SSDs and HDDs.
If your PC usage involves heavy writing workloads – like video recording, creative editing, database applications, etc – an HDD is a good choice to withstand constant drive writing. For light everyday usage, both SSDs and HDDs can easily last 5+ years.
Ideal Usages for SSD vs HDD
Due to their differences, SSDs and HHDs each work best for certain use cases:
SSDs work great as:
- Primary drive holding OS and applications – faster speed improves responsiveness.
- Gaming drive holding a few favorite games – faster level loads and texture streaming.
- Scratch disk for video/photo editing – improves workflow speed with assets.
HDDs are ideal for:
- Bulk storage drive for media libraries, documents, etc.
- External portable backup drive for extra storage space.
- Archives or cold storage for large amounts of rarely accessed data.
The best setup is to use both an SSD and HDD together. Have your OS, apps, and active projects on the SSD for performance. And store your other data on the HDD for capacity.
Conclusion
So should you buy an SSD or HDD? Here is a quick summary:
- SSDs – Much faster speed, more responsive computing, silent operation, lower power draw.
- HDDs – Higher capacities for cheaper, better suited for heavy write workloads.
- Best solution – Use both an SSD for OS and apps, and HDD for mass storage.
For most users, an SSD or a combo of SSD + HDD will provide the right blend of speed and storage capacity. HDDs are still recommended for specialty use cases that demand massive amounts of storage and constant drive writes.