HDD vs SDD: Which is Better for You | BuySellRam.com
Data storage needs are evolving and SSD technology is replacing legacy HDD. But there is still an argument to be made for both, find out which one is better.
HDD vs SSD: Which is Better for You?
There’s a little bit of a lively debate going on in the technology world when it comes to choosing the right storage technology. Hard disc drives (HDD) have been around the longest, and many argue that they will persevere, inevitably outlasting their competitors. Meanwhile, solid-state drives (SSD) are the new and shiny, mobile-friendly alternative that is garnering the most attention right now.
WHAT IS A HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)
HDDs are a legacy technology that has been around for more than 60 years. But when it comes to data storage options, they are still a solid choice for low-cost, high-capacity storage. Although HDDs have come a long way since their first incarnation in the IBM RAMAC, which was a computer that required an entire room to operate. The HDD alone was the size of two modern refrigerators placed side-by-side.
Today’s HDDs come in two form factors, a 2.5-inch disc, and a 3.5-inch disc. The smaller is typically used in laptops, while the larger is more common in desktops and
Hard disk driveservers. A hard disc drive is essentially an optical disc that spins while an optical arm reads and writes data. These discs use magnetic storage.
While they have been incredibly reliable over the years, the movable parts make them more prone to damage when you start carrying them around. As we’ve moved towards more mobile technology like laptops and smartphones, HDDs have become increasingly less popular.
WHAT IS A SOLID-STATE DRIVE (SSD)
SSDs offer a flash-memory alternative to the traditional optical disc HDD model of data storage. This means that they can be much smaller—even as little as a pack of gum or a postage stamp while also being noticeably faster. In terms of what a world on the go needs, an SSD is definitely it. But because the technology is newer, SSDs are comparatively more expensive. There are also limits to their data capacity and useful lifespan. Flash memory can only be erased and rewritten a finite number of times before the cells are unusable.
The technology behind the SSD originates from the 1950s, but the first incarnation of an SSD didn’t come along until 1976 when Dataram put a product on the market called Bulk Core which provided 2 MB of SSD storage. The flash-based SSD that we know today came along in 1983, but it would be another 20 years before we began putting them in consumer electronics. Through the 2010s, flash-based SSD storage was moderately available but expensive. It wasn’t until the current decade that the price of SSD storage began to show signs of leveling off, settling in a competitive margin to HDD storage of similar capacities.
SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON OF HDD AND SSD TECHNOLOGIES
In the tech world, legacy technology tends to give way to new innovations. And for many, that is what we see happening in terms of data storage. SSD storage is superior technology in terms of speed and mobility. But there is a serious argument to be made for HDD technology when it comes to capacity, longevity, and ultimately price. Let’s look at how these two technologies measure up against one another.
SPEED
The first thing that almost anyone will list when it comes to arguing for SSD storage over HDD storage is speed. There is no comparison; if the only metric considered is speed, SSD is the clear winner. The reason is simple, HDDs involve mechanical parts that must operate in order to read and write data, while SSDs use only electrical circuitry. Faster speeds correlate to enhanced performance for data-intensive computing applications. For everyday users, this is most noticeable on startup when users are logging in and booting up their apps. And in today’s world, where users’ patience has been dwindled down to the millisecond, speed is important.
ENDURANCE
For most consumer electronics, five years is a good run. And both HDDs and SSDs can last at least that long. But as we embrace a more data-intensive future filled with artificial intelligence (AI) and hyperscale data centers, our needs for erasing and rewriting data are becoming insatiable. This is where proponents of HDD technology argue that it has a clear advantage.
By design, flash-based SSD technology has a wear life. This means that it can only be written, erased, and rewritten a finite number of times before the cells are no longer capable of storing data. For example, content creators that read and write hundreds of hours of data on the daily will churn through SSD storage. The same thing is true for big data centers.
COST
Cost is always an important metric, but it is becoming a more level playing field between the two. Historically, SSD storage has been significantly more expensive due to being a newer, less developed technology. That means that gamers, content creators, and data centers looking for volumes of storage capacity were often limited to HDD storage because of cost.
But even if SSDs cost more at face value, they often deliver better efficiency in terms of faster speeds. So, depending on the application, that can still offer a cost-effective option. It’s also important to consider that modern software algorithms may be based on SSD speed capacities. So, from a user experience standpoint, SSDs get another clear advantage.
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All in all, HDDs are comparatively slower, less durable, and use more energy. The key upside is that they currently have the highest capacity available. While the HDDs that we know today probably won’t outlast the current SSD craze, the same fundamental technology is being explored for what comes next, possibly helium HDDs.
BEST STORAGE OPTIONS BY BRAND
As with any product on the market, technology or otherwise, there is always a range of good, better, and best. So when you start shopping by storage specs, how do you really know what you’re buying? Here’s a lineup of the best in every category.
BEST HDD STORAGE IN 2021
Hard disc drive storage is easily the most cost-effective option. But still, 10 TB of HDD is going to cost more than 2 TB of SSD every day of the week. There is also market variation based on interface, brand, capacity, and more. Here are the best options at a glance:
Seagate BarraCuda, Firecuda, IronWolf NAS
Toshiba X300
Western Digital Velociraptor, Blue Desktop, My Book
The Seagate BarraCuda features a low price point and comparatively fast speed, good for budget-conscious buyers. However, the cost savings comes with a catch in the form of a limited cache. The Toshiba X300 uses the SATA interface and features top-of-therange storage capacities between 4GB – 8GB with high speeds. Its downfall is a short warranty. Most consumers firmly believe that brands who are willing to stand behind their products will do so with appropriately lengthy warranty coverage.
Western Digital’s VelociRaptor uses a SATA interface with essentially unmatched speeds in HDD technology. But compared to other options of the same size, you’re paying a lot for that speed and could probably put your money into SSD storage for the same price. But we especially love the hybrid drive by Seagate. The FireCuda blends the best of both worlds with speeds faster than a traditional HDD and costs lower than a comparable SSD. The FireCuda enjoys unparalleled performance thanks to NANDboosted performance.
BEST SSD STORAGE IN 2021
Solid-state drives are certainly more efficient storage in every way that it counts. From lower energy consumption to faster speeds, there are many reasons to choose SSD storage. Here are the options in 2021:
Samsung 980 Pro, 970 Evo Plus
Corsair MP400
Intel Optane 905P
SK Hynix Gold P31
Samsung is an effortless leader in SSD technology. The 980 Pro is an ideal choice for futureproofing. You’ll get top performance and competitive pricing with a good endurance rating. For gamers, the Corsair MP400 offers incredible value in terms of speed and space. The only drawback is a lower endurance rating. But since gamers tend to upgrade often, that may not matter to some users.
There may not be a cooler-looking SSD on the market than Intel’s Optane 905P. It comes with LED lighting and lighting fast speeds. The downside is that it is pricey. Today’s price on Amazon is $877.58 for 1.5TB. With many other options priced much lower and offering reasonably fast speeds, you can get a lot more bang for your buck with nearly any other brand. For example, the SK Hynix Gold P31 offers great speeds and fair value. Unfortunately, it is only a PCIe 3.0 interface.
BEST STORAGE OPTIONS BY NEED
Ultimately, your computing needs are the single biggest factor in deciding whether to stick with an HDD or splurge for an SDD. Let’s take a look at how the two compare to common uses.
BEST DRIVE STORAGE FOR EVERYDAY COMPUTING
General computing covers the largest swath of users. This can range anywhere from checking emails and browsing the web to routine data entry and retrieval at the office. For these users, keeping the cost of their technology low is usually important. But at the same time, they need speed and reliability to meet their expectations. Now that SSDs are leveling off and prices are more comparable to similar HDD storage capacities, SSDs are an easy choice. While HDDs offer a greater storage capacity, everyday users are unlikely to need access to excess reserves of data storage capacity.
BEST DRIVE STORAGE FOR GAMING
Gamers have a reputation for demanding resource-intensive systems. While SSD storage is clearly the better option for speed, some gaming environments need the storage capacity of HDDs. This means that it is basically a draw and depends more on what type of gaming you enjoy. Most gamers opt for a dual system that includes an internal HDD and an external SSD. Newer systems are even being built with dual drives to meet these demands.
BEST DRIVE STORAGE FOR MEDIA-INTENSIVE APPLICATIONS
If you’re in the habit of collecting volumes of media and need a lot of storage, then there is no question about it. HDD storage is going to provide the most capacity at the best price. HDD is also a better option if you are routinely erasing and writing data, like video editing. Many content creators burn through SSD storage too quickly to make it a feasible option. But as SSD storage comes to age, it is also becoming more capable, so the tides of change are near.
BEST DRIVE STORAGE FOR HYPERSCALE DATA CENTER APPLICATIONS
With all the attention that SSDs get, you might be wondering who these people are arguing that HDDs are still relevant? Honestly, anyone who needs a lot of storage is still relying on HDD technology to provide reliable storage at scale for a cost-effective price. The big downside that plagues data centers, especially at hyperscale, is energy consumption. SSDs consume less energy compared to HDDs, and data centers use a lot of energy to power and multiple cool servers running around the clock.
THE BOTTOM LINE ON WHO SHOULD USE HDD OR SSD STORAGE
While HDD might be the legacy technology on its way out the door, it isn’t there yet. Anyone who needs a lot of data storage, like users who download a lot of multimedia or professionals in the graphic arts or engineering fields, is likely to favor the cost-effective storage capacities of HDD. And because costs are always important, budget-friendly buyers and everyday desktop users will lean towards HDDs as well.
By contrast, anyone who is on the go with mobile and laptop devices will choose SSD, hands-down. Additionally, anyone who prioritizes speed or who needs a computer that is as quiet as a church mouse will enjoy SSD technology over HDD. However, it is important to note that many models in 2021 came out with dual drives, so users, especially those in graphic design and engineering, don’t have to compromise.
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