When building or upgrading a computer, one of the most important decisions is what type of storage to use. The two main options are traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs). HDDs have been the standard for many years, but SSDs are gaining popularity due to advantages like faster speeds and better reliability. This article examines the pros and cons of HDDs and SSDs to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about HDDs vs SSDs:
- HDDs are cheaper per GB but slower than SSDs
- SSDs are faster, more reliable, and more power efficient but cost more per GB
- For budget builds, a small SSD (120-240GB) for the OS and a large HDD for data storage offers a balance of speed and value
- For performance builds, use a larger SSD (500GB+) as the primary drive and add a HDD if more storage is needed
- For laptops and other mobile devices, SSDs are highly recommended for their speed, reliability, and power efficiency
Storage Technology Comparison
The major technical difference between HDDs and SSDs is in how they store and access data. HDDs use spinning magnetic platters while SSDs use flash memory chips. This fundamental difference leads to tradeoffs in performance, cost, and reliability.
Hard Disk Drives
HDDs have been used for computer storage since the 1950s. They store data on quickly rotating magnetic disks called platters. A mechanical arm with read/write heads moves across the platters to access data. HDDs have high capacity but slow access times due to the moving parts.
Pros:
- Very low cost per gigabyte
- High maximum capacities (10TB+)
Cons:
- Slower speeds than SSDs
- Vulnerable to damage from shock or vibration
- Louder noise from spinning platters
- Higher power consumption
Solid State Drives
SSDs use integrated circuits to permanently store data. Flash memory chips retain data even when power is removed. Without moving parts, SSDs have much faster access times and use less power than HDDs.
Pros:
- Much faster read/write speeds
- Lower power consumption
- Resistant to physical shock and vibration
- Completely silent operation
- Faster boot and loading times
Cons:
- More expensive per gigabyte
- Lower maximum capacities (2TB range currently)
- Can wear out after extensive rewrites
| Hard Disk Drive (HDD) | Solid State Drive (SSD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per GB | Around $0.02/GB | Around $0.20/GB |
| Maximum Capacity | 10TB+ | 2TB range |
| Speed | 55-150 MB/s sequential reads 45-70 MB/s writes |
500-3500+ MB/s reads 200-2500+ MB/s writes |
| Power Usage | 5-10 watts typical | 2-4 watts typical |
| Noise | Audible spinning and mechanical sounds | Silent |
| Shock Resistance | Vulnerable to damage | Resistant to shocks and vibration |
| Expected Lifespan | 3-5 years typical | 5-10 years typical |
Performance Differences
The most noticeable difference between HDDs and SSDs is performance. SSDs provide much faster speeds for several reasons:
- No moving parts – data can be accessed electronically rather than mechanically
- Faster interface – SSDs use SATA, PCIe, or NVMe interfaces instead of older PATA
- Lower latency – data can be accessed immediately instead of waiting for the platter to spin
- Parallel access – SSD controller accesses data simultaneously from multiple NAND chips
Benchmarks show SSDs can provide at least 4-5x faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs. This directly impacts real-world use:
- Faster boot times – PCs with SSDs can boot in 10-30 seconds rather than 60+ seconds with HDDs
- Faster game/app load times – Large files and levels load much quicker
- Faster file transfers – Copying or moving large files is significantly quicker
- Faster browsing – Web pages and apps open quicker with an SSD
- Better responsiveness – Systems feel more snappy when programs launch instantly
For tasks like gaming, content creation, and productivity, SSDs provide a major speed advantage over HDDs. The one downside is that constant rewrites can wear out the SSD memory cells over time.
Reliability and Durability
Due to their simpler physical design, SSDs are more reliable and durable than HDDs in a few key ways:
- Shock resistance – No moving parts makes SSDs better able to withstand bumps or drops
- Vibration resistance – SSD performance isn’t affected by vibration from movement
- Noise – SSDs create no audible noise during operation
- Overheating – The lack of moving parts means SSDs generate very little heat
- Failure rate – SSDs have lower annualized failure rates (AFR) of around 0.5-1.5% compared to 2-4% for HDDs
For mobile devices like laptops that experience frequent movement and shocks, SSDs are strongly favored over traditional HDDs. The reliability and silent operation are also better for small devices.
Storage Capacities
HDDs still offer far larger maximum capacities than SSDs. Current high capacity HDDs go up to 10-14TB, while even high-end SSDs top out at around 2TB.
This makes HDDs better suited for storing huge amounts of data that don’t need quick access. Some examples are:
- Media libraries with thousands of photos/videos
- Gaming – storing a massive collection of installed games
- Servers – massive cloud storage and backups
- Surveillance camera footage
- Cheap bulk data storage
For consumer use, large HDDs are a cost-effective way to store movies, music, photos, and other media. An external USB hard drive with 4TB+ capacity can store hundreds of movies and thousands of songs while costing under $100.
Hybrid Drives
There are also hybrid drives (SSHDs) that combine an HDD with a small SSD cache. The SSD cache stores frequently accessed data for faster speeds while rarely accessed data remains on the HDD. While not as fast as a full SSD, hybrid drives offer a balance of speed and high capacity at a reasonable price.
Cost and Value
The main tradeoff between HDDs and SSDs is higher performance and reliability vs. lower costs. HDDs currently offer far lower cost per gigabyte of storage. Price comparisons:
- 120GB SSD – $25
- 240GB SSD – $40
- 500GB SSD – $60
- 1TB SSD – $100
- 1TB HDD – $35
- 2TB HDD – $50
- 4TB HDD – $80
- 10TB HDD – $200
SSDs excel at speed and efficiency, making them the best choice for PCs and devices that benefit from fast storage. But HDDs retain a significant raw $/GB advantage that makes them ideal for bulk data storage needs.
Balancing Speed and Capacity
For most consumer PCs and laptops, a balanced approach using both SSD and HDD offers a good compromise:
- Use a smaller SSD (240-500GB) as the primary boot drive for OS, apps, and active projects
- Add a 1-2TB HDD for bulk storage of media, documents, backups, etc.
This allows you to get the speed benefits of SSD for the most frequently used files while also having huge HDD capacity for less accessed bulk storage. The large inexpensive HDD also serves as a good backup drive for the SSD.
Lifespan and Wear
One downside of SSDs is that cells have a limited number of erase/write cycles before they begin to wear out and die. However, modern SSDs include spare cells and wear leveling algorithms to substantially extend lifespan.
Based on the JEDEC standard, today’s SSDs typically have endurance for at least:
- 80 TBW (terabytes written) for 120-250GB models
- 160 TBW for 275-500GB models
- 300 TBW for 1TB+ models
In real-world usage for consumers, SSDs can easily last 5-10 years even with heavy daily use. To extend SSD longevity avoid completely filling the drive and enable the TRIM command if supported.
Choosing an SSD
If you decide an SSD is right for your needs, there are a few factors to consider when choosing a model:
- Capacity – Choose at least 240GB for better value and 500GB+ for more storage
- Interface – SATA III for older PCs , PCIe/NVMe for new high-speed PCs
- Form factor – 2.5″ or M.2; M.2 does not require cables or mounting
- Controller – Options include Phison, Samsung, SanDisk, Intel
- NAND type – budget TLC or higher-performance MLC chips
- Brands – Look for Samsung, WD, Crucial, SanDisk, Adata
- Warranty – 5-year warranties are common
For a reliable SATA SSD, some top options are the Samsung 870 EVO, Crucial MX500, WD Blue 3D, and Adata SU800. High-end 4.0 PCIe NVMe drives include the Samsung 980 Pro, WD Black SN850, and Seagate FireCuda 510.
Conclusion
SSDs are now the recommended storage choice for most PCs, laptops, and high-performance applications. The dramatically faster speeds, reliability, and low power usage outweigh the higher initial cost for everyday computing needs. Large capacity HDDs retain the advantage for bulk data storage due to the much lower price per gigabyte.
For both performance and value, a combination of a speedy SSD boot drive with a high capacity HDD for mass storage provides an excellent balance. This allows you to take advantage of the strengths of each storage technology. With SSD prices declining and capacities increasing, they will likely continue replace HDDs in more and more devices in the coming years.