There was once a time when you just bought a PC as it came – no room for customization, selecting your preferred storage components and the like. Most people are content with the HDD (Hard Disk Drives) their desktops and laptops come with, but they might start to think otherwise when they find out there are faster alternatives available. SSD (Solid State Drives) are quickly becoming the preference of most businesses and individuals. So how is it that the two differ, and what makes one better than the other? Let’s find out.
Short Description
· HDD
Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are the traditional component for storage on a computer. It’s the basic nonvolatile storage on a PC, that is to say, it is the type of system memory that is not erased when the PC is turned off. The components include a rotating metal platter with magnetic coating, which stores all the data on your computer.
· SDD
The functionality of Solid State Drives (SDD) is pretty much the same. But where it differs is the metal platter, which is to say that it doesn’t have one. The data is stored on interconnected flash memory chips. These chips have the availability to retain data even without a power source. You can install them on desktops and laptops, or connect them externally.
Main Differences
· Capacity
500GB is considered standard hard drive capacity. However, you can easily find 1TB units and have them installed in your PC without any issues. With the SDD, you can go up to 4TBs, but while you may be able to get speed, capacity is less cost effective SSDs. On the other hand, conventional mechanical HDDs are slower but offer higher capacity for lower cost and therefore considered better for storage.
· Speed
This is where SSDs win hands down. An SSD will allow your computer to boot in less than a minute. In contrast conventional hard drives decrease speed as it ages and the booting time will increase. SSDs are unaffected by age and maintain their high speed throughout their life. The data transfer rate of SSDs is also significantly higher than that of HDDs.
· Durability
Have you ever noticed that your desktop or laptop stops working upon being jostled? That ‘s because the HDD contains moving parts, and too much movement disrupts its functionality. On the other hand, because there aren’t any moveable parts in the SDD, it keeps on working even if you drop or shunt your laptop.
· Availability
When it comes to availability, both the contenders are quite easily available at most PC parts suppliers. You will find plenty of manufacturers offering HDDs and SSDs at great prices. Just like conventional drives, SSDs are common-place now and are used in most good custom built computers.
· Noise
Have you ever noticed the hum or the loud sound your computer emits when it operates? That’s the combined sound of your fan and your hard drive spinning. The sound comes from the metal disk rotating within the drive. This is considered normal functionality with conventional drives; however, SSDs do not emit any noise. The flash chips are in a solid state, meaning that there are no moving parts inside the drive.
· Price
If you are very budget conscious, you might want to give the SSDs a pass. An HDD with 1TB capacity will not cost you more than $100, while a low capacity SSD costs more than double the cost of a large capacity HDD. Depending on the manufacturer, an SSD with 1TB capacity can go as high as $900.
If you still find yourself a little confused about which drive will suit your system the best, call us any time of the day to have your IT related general questions answered. Once you register with Rapid IT Support, you will be able to avail this service along with rapid laptop repair services, and 24/7 computer support services.
