What is an SSD HDD Combo Drive?
An SSD HDD combo drive refers to using both a solid state drive (SSD) and a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) together in a computer system. This combines the benefits of the faster performance and durability of SSDs with the larger storage capacities of HDDs at a lower cost per gigabyte.
In an SSD HDD combo setup, the operating system, applications, and frequently accessed files are stored on the SSD, which allows for much faster boot times and improved system responsiveness. The HDD is used as secondary storage for files that don’t require quick access, like documents, media, backups, etc. This optimizes the system’s performance while still providing ample storage capacity.
The key benefits of using an SSD HDD combo include faster startup and load times, better multitasking performance, fast access to frequently used files, longer battery life, and getting more storage capacity for your money compared to using an SSD alone. The SSD enhances performance where it matters most, while the HDD provides economical extra storage.
How an SSD HDD Combo Works
An SSD HDD combo drive leverages the strengths of both solid-state drives (SSDs) and traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in one system. The SSD component is used as the primary boot drive to store the operating system, applications, and frequently used files where fast read/write speeds are beneficial. The HDD component provides abundant and affordable storage capacity for files and data.
Specifically, the SSD stores the Windows operating system files and installed applications. Storing these system files on the SSD allows for fast boot times when powering on the computer, as the SSD can access data quickly without any moving parts. Applications stored on the SSD also launch quickly for a snappy user experience.
The HDD stores documents, photos, videos, music, and other user files that don’t require quick access speeds. The high capacity yet lower cost per gigabyte of HDDs makes them ideal for storing these large files and archives. By storing them on the HDD rather than the SSD, it saves valuable SSD storage space for the OS and apps.
With this SSD + HDD setup, you get the best of both worlds – fast boot and launch times from the SSD, and abundant storage capacity from the HDD.
Benefits of an SSD HDD Combo
An SSD-HDD combo drive aims to provide the best of both storage worlds by combining the benefits of solid state drives (SSDs) and traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) into one unit. This hybrid storage approach offers some key advantages:
Faster boot and launch times from SSD – The SSD component stores the operating system and frequently used programs/files. Because SSDs have no moving parts and much faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs, your system can boot up and launch apps/games much quicker with an SSD.
Larger storage capacity from HDD – SSDs typically come in smaller sizes due to higher cost per gigabyte. The HDD component provides abundant and cheaper storage space for your less accessed files like documents, photos, videos, etc.
Cost savings over large SSD – Getting a sizable SSD (1TB or more) to store everything can be prohibitively expensive for many. An SSD-HDD combo allows you to take advantage of SSD speeds where they matter most while using HDDs for mass storage, resulting in savings over a large capacity SSD.
Use Cases for an SSD HDD Combo
There are several common use cases where using both an SSD and HDD together in a computer system can be beneficial:
Budget Gaming Builds
For budget gaming builds, pairing a small SSD (120-250 GB) with a large HDD (1-2 TB) allows you to get the performance benefits of an SSD for the operating system, games, and applications while also having plenty of cheaper high capacity HDD storage for media files, documents, etc. This optimizes cost-effectiveness while still getting a snappy system (Source).
Everyday Productivity Machines
For everyday home and office PCs used for productivity, web browsing, media consumption, etc., a combo drive balances speed and storage. The SSD (250 GB – 1 TB) handles the OS and frequently used programs for fast boot and load times, while the HDD (1-2 TB) stores your growing photo/video collections, music libraries, and documents (Source).
Workstations
For high-end workstation PCs used for gaming, content creation, data analysis, etc., using both a large SSD (500 GB – 2 TB) for active projects and an HDD RAID array provides the ideal combination of fast access to current data and huge storage capacity for archival storage and backups.
Ideal SSD and HDD Sizes
When configuring an SSD HDD combo drive for optimal performance, the ideal setup is generally:
- A 120-250GB SSD for the operating system and applications
- A 1-2TB or larger HDD for data storage
A 120-250GB SSD provides enough space for Windows or other OS installations, frequently used programs and apps, and some games (according to this Quora thread). With just the OS and apps on the SSD, your system can boot faster and launch programs more quickly versus running everything off a hard disk.
For mass data storage of media, documents, photos, videos, etc., a 1-2TB or larger HDD is recommended. HDDs provide more storage capacity per dollar compared to SSDs. So using an HDD for your data drive allows you to maximize storage while minimizing cost.
On Reddit’s r/buildapc forum, users recommend 1-2TB SSDs if you have a fast internet connection for redownloading games and media. But for most users, a smaller SSD paired with a larger HDD in the 1-2TB+ range offers the best performance and value in an SSD/HDD combo setup.
Choosing Compatible Components
When selecting an SSD HDD combo, it’s crucial to choose components that are compatible with each other and your computer’s motherboard. The first step is to confirm that your motherboard has ports for connecting both an SSD and HDD. Most modern motherboards have multiple SATA ports that HDDs and some SSDs connect to, as well as an M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs.
If your motherboard has an M.2 slot, you’ll want to select an NVMe SSD to take advantage of the faster transfer speeds. NVMe SSDs slot directly into the M.2 port and don’t require SATA connections. If your motherboard doesn’t have an M.2 slot, choose a 2.5″ SATA III SSD for the best performance. Refer to your motherboard manual or specs to verify which SSD and HDD interfaces are supported.
It’s also important to note the physical size limitations of your computer case and motherboard when selecting the SSD and HDD. Measure the space available and choose compatible 2.5″ or M.2 sized drives. Additionally, your motherboard may have specific length limits for M.2 SSDs, so verify the supported length before purchasing.
Using a source like https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/what-type-of-ssd.html, you can look up the specifications of your computer or motherboard to determine exactly which SSD and HDD options are compatible. Taking the time to select the right components will ensure your SSD HDD combo works optimally.
Setting up and Configuring
When setting up an SSD HDD combo, the first step is to connect both drives to the motherboard. The SSD should be connected directly to a SATA port, while the HDD can be connected to a SATA port or installed in a drive bay, depending on your computer case.
Next, you’ll want to install your operating system and key applications on the SSD. The SSD’s fast speeds will allow your system and apps to boot up and launch quickly. Be sure to leave ample storage space on the SSD for the OS and programs.
After installing the OS, you can format the HDD and set it as the default storage location for your files. Open File Explorer, right-click on the HDD, select “Format”, choose your desired file system (likely NTFS), give it a volume label, and click “Start”. This will prep the HDD to store your documents, media, downloads, and other file data.
To set the HDD as default storage, open the Settings app and go to System > Storage. Under “More Storage Settings”, click on “Change where new content is saved” and set your HDD as the default save location for documents, pictures, music, videos, and other user files. This will automatically store new data on your roomy HDD rather than filling up your SSD storage.
With your OS and apps on the speedy SSD, and your personal files stored on the capacious HDD, you now have a powerfully fast and large storage system for your computer. Maintain this setup for optimal everyday performance.
Optimizing for Performance
There are several key steps you can take to optimize the performance of your SSD-HDD combo drive in Windows:
First, make sure AHCI mode is enabled in your BIOS for any SATA-based SSDs. AHCI mode allows the operating system to take full advantage of the SSD’s capabilities. Most modern motherboards default to AHCI mode, but it’s worth double checking this setting. See this guide for steps on enabling AHCI mode.
You should also update your system BIOS, chipset drivers, SSD firmware, and storage drivers to the latest versions. Keeping these components up-to-date can resolve bugs and improve performance, especially for newer SSD models. Check your SSD manufacturer’s website for the latest firmware update.
Finally, use the SSD’s bundled software or utilities like Windows’ built-in Optimize Drives tool to enable key optimizations like TRIM, write caching, and overprovisioning. These features help maintain the SSD’s speed over time. The Optimize Drives tool can analyze your usage patterns and make additional optimization recommendations.
Maintaining and Troubleshooting
To keep an SSD HDD combo running smoothly, some periodic maintenance and troubleshooting may be required.
It’s a good idea to regularly check the health of both drives using disk utility software like Partition Wizard. Monitoring SMART status can alert you to any potential issues before they become catastrophic failures. While SSDs don’t need defragmenting, defragmenting the HDD occasionally can optimize performance, especially if the disk is becoming heavily fragmented over time.
If one drive in the combo suddenly stops being detected, basic troubleshooting steps may resolve the issue. First, check that both the power and SATA/NVMe connections are properly seated. Detach and reattach the connections. If the SSD or HDD still doesn’t show up, try wiping the drive and reformatting it to see if that restores functionality. As a last resort, the drive may need to be replaced if it has failed.
With periodic checks and preventative maintenance, an SSD HDD combo can deliver years of fast, reliable performance.
Future Outlook
The future looks promising for both SSDs and HDDs in SSD/HDD combo drives. As NVMe SSD technology continues to mature, we will likely see much wider adoption of NVMe drives over SATA SSDs for the SSD portion of combo drives (Source). NVMe offers faster interface speeds and lower latency compared to SATA, providing improved responsiveness. Additionally, larger 8TB+ HDDs will become more common and affordable (Source). This allows the HDD to store vastly more data at lower costs per gigabyte. New form factors like M.2 for both SSDs and HDDs will also gain popularity thanks to their small size and flexibility. Overall, the future is bright for SSD/HDD combo drives, with fast NVMe SSDs for performance and massive HDDs for data capacity.
