Storage is a decisive factor in how your computer performs but most of us try not to think about it until we don’t have enough. Is your device more snail than hare? Does it struggle to juggle multiple tasks? It could be time for a hardware upgrade. Join us as we explain the difference between HDDs and SSDs, including speed, cost, and lifespan. Above all, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which is right for you. Then don’t forget to download a performance app like Avira System Speedup to help keep your computer cleaner and leaner.
From HDD to SSD: The evolution of storage technology
Let’s abandon the fancy acronyms for a minute and simply talk about storage. Although the way they work is completely different, hard-disk drives and solid-state drives are both storage devices. So, they’re “home” for the digital content on your computer—from documents, music, and pictures to the programs and operating system. Without enough storage space, your computer would soon run into performance problems. There won’t be space to install updates or store new files and response times may be slower as it struggles to load the data it needs to perform various functions. Computers need storage, whether it’s an HDD or SSD—but which is best for you? Understanding how each system works will help you lift the lid on their benefits and drawbacks. Hard-disk drives are older and more “traditional” than solid-state storage, but they’re not obsolete (yet?), so don’t knock them—especially if you’re on a budget.
The great-grandfather of today’s HDDs was magnetic drum memory, which stored information on the outside of a rotating cylinder coated with magnetic material and surrounded by read and write heads in fixed positions. It was initially designed to improve America’s code-breaking capabilities during the 1940’s but researchers didn’t stray from the magnetic storage path for decades. Magnetic core memory came next and was widely used as the main memory technology for computers well into the 1970s. Homer Simpson would have approved: This core memory was made up of tiny “donuts” consisting of magnetic material strung onto wires in a grid. Magnets again proved irresistible with magnetic tape which finally allowed for the less expensive mass storage of information and is credited with being a key part of the computer revolution. Then in the late 1950’s, IBM ushered in the era of magnetic disk storage with its now legendary RAMAC 305 computer system—the blueprint for the hard-disk drive as we know it. RAMAC at last allowed fast, real-time access to large amounts of data. To appreciate how impressive this (and today’s HDDs) are, cast your mind back to tape storage for a minute. Tape drives used a long reel of magnetic tape to store information and if the data you wanted to access was at the end of the tape…you get the picture. It was… really… slow. Hard drives continued to dominate system storage for decades due to their overall reliability and increasing speed and capacity.
Then in 1991, magnetic-based storage with its moving parts met what could be its final match: Solid-state storage or SSD. This is a type of flash memory and uses semi-conductor cells. In a PC, SSDs do the same job as HDDs but have banished the magnetics and moving parts that will eventually wear out. Solid-state storage is younger, faster, more resilient and…(literally) flashier but, as less mature technology, it still costs more.
Where are we now? In newer computers, and especially laptops, SSDs are increasingly the only drive you’ll find. Lower-cost PCs sometimes have both an SSD and an HDD so it’s not always a question of “either or”. There are also external SSD options and PCs in need of a new drive can benefit from an SSD upgrade. Let’s take a deeper dive into the differences between these older and newer storage technologies, plus the drawbacks and opportunities they present to you, the user. Ultimately, it depends on your expectations, budget, and what you use your computer for.
How do HDDs work?
Like the computer forefathers we mentioned above, hard-disk drives use simple magnetism to store vast amounts of information. Imagine an HDD as a box of millions of microscopically small nails, each of which stores a tiny bit of information called a bit (this is either the number zero or the number 1). The data in a computer is stored as patterns of these bits. Importantly, if you magnetize a nail, it stays magnetized until you demagnetize it, which is why magnetism is popular in storage technology: The data stored in your PC’s hard drive stays there even when the power is switched off.
Instead of nails, HDDs have a circular plate called a platter, which is made of glass, ceramic, or aluminum, and is divided into billions of tiny areas (like those nails). Some areas are coated with a ferromagnetic substance (to store a 1 bit) or demagnetized (to store a 0 bit). Bigger drives have a series of platters stacked like a pile of pancakes on a central spindle.
There’s also an arm mechanism that moves a tiny magnet called a read-write head back and forth over the platters to read or write information. It’s similar to how vinyl record albums work. The platters can rotate at up to 10,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) so data is read quickly! The important thing is not just storing data, but finding it again, which is why the bits aren’t thrown in at random but arranged in circular paths called tracks and each track is divided into even smaller parts called sectors. Your computer has a map of these sectors, so it knows which are full and which are still free. There’s also an electronic circuit to act as a link between the hard drive and the rest of your computer.
An HDD is therefore an enclosure for a few mechanical parts: the shiny platters, fast-moving head, and the circuit that allows it all to function together. These components are fragile, and dislike being treated roughly or dropped (are you holding your laptop carefully?). It’s therefore no wonder that the hard disk is the most fragile part of a computer! Even dirt on one of the platters could cause a hard-drive crash and you may lose all your data. HDDs also tend to be quite heavy, both in terms of weight and power consumption. If you’re falling out of love with magnetized storage, read on for the SSD alternative.
How do SSDs work? And how are SSDs different to HDDs?
Solid state drives are a newer type of disk and store information using flash memory. They’re called “solid” not because they’re heavy (they’re lighter than HDDs) but because they don’t contain moving parts. Data is saved to a pool of NAND flash memory cells, which retain their charge even when they’re not powered up. Like the bits in an HDD, electrons are stored as magnetized or unmagnetized Os or 1s and organized into a grid called a page. The data is served up in a “flash”! Contrast this with the HDD workhorse, which must first carefully align the drive heads over an area of a spinning disk to read or write data. Tricky.
Because SSDs have no moving parts, they don’t break as easily as HDDs and can vastly outpace them. The rapid data transfer means processes work more quickly, and overall computing performance is given a real boost. Most users of SSD-based computers notice that it’s faster when they:
- Boot up the operating system or start a program
- Use resource-intensive programs like new video games or open new game levels
- Open or import/export large files like videos
- Preview video files in editing software
It’s important to note that by “performance”, we’re referring to vast quantities of data being transferred at once. If your computer is struggling to operate when 75 tabs and many programs are open, an SSD won’t act as a magical panacea. Your RAM may need upgrading too and the entire system could probably do with a digital clear-out and routine maintenance. A specialized cleaning tool like Avira System Speedup helps find and remove unnecessary files like browser junk and duplicates. You can increase storage space and help your computer run more smoothly.
If you’re wondering whether you have an SSD or HDD, it’s easy to find out: Type defrag in the Windows start search bar, and then click Defragment and Optimize Drives. You’ll see a list of drives connected to your computer, as well as their type. (A “retrim” operation is the operating system informing the SSD of all the areas of the disk that are empty.)
See here for step-by-step instructions on how to check other PC specs that can be essential to the smooth-running of your machine. If you’re buying a new laptop, this guide will help you make the right choice.
What’s the difference between memory and storage?
Wait a minute… all this talk of HDD and SSD storage, but what about RAM? Isn’t random access memory also storage? Whether it’s a smart phone, laptop or desktop PC, all computers have storage and memory, which are easily confused. It doesn’t help that both are often measured in gigabytes! RAM is memory and it’s where your computer temporarily keeps the information that it’s currently using so that the brain (CPU) is instantly served up with the data it needs right now. If you’re running out of RAM, the machine will have to hunt around for the info in slower storage drives and your computer will perform more slowly. Quickly check our guide here if you think you need more RAM.
Storage is the HDD and/or SSD where your computer permanently stores data, so it’s safe even if your device is switched off. That’s why it’s referred to as non-volatile storage. If you don’t have enough storage space, you’ll struggle to install updates or store large files like your photo library.
Is HDD or SSD a winner? It depends on you …and these factors
If you’re undecided whether an HDD or SSD is right for you, it can be helpful to focus on the following key areas: Durability and reliability, speed, capacity, and cost. Let’s put both storage drives head-to-head and see who comes out on top.
- Durability and reliability
As we discussed above, SSD uses flash technology. The absence of mechanical moving parts means there is less wear and tear over time so it’s less likely to break down. SSDs are also more likely to survive bumps, drops, shakes, and shocks. Ruggedized SSDs like the My Passport SSD even claim to withstand drops from up to 1.98 meters onto a carpeted surface! Don’t try that with an HDD. While both solid-state and hard-disk drives produce heat, HDDs are a bigger culprit because of the continual motion of the components. Overheating is like kryptonite for computers. Spot the signs of an overheated device and what to do about it here.
Winner: SSD - Speed
SSDs can access and write files much faster than HDDs because they’re built for speed. The SSD “cells” work electronically, which means data transfer speeds are much higher than with rotating disks. HDDs must first locate files on the platter and then move to that location to read the data. That’s as slow as it sounds. Programs such as operating systems that must access large amounts of data, don’t like waiting around for the files they need and perform more quickly and smoothly with flash-based storage.
Winner: SSD - Capacity and cost
We now need more storage capacity than ever. Documents, photos, music…data volumes are growing at an exponential rate and file sizes are getting bigger too. This is where HDDs come into their own. While they can’t match SSDs for speed, they offer users a choice of huge storage capacities–currently, the largest HDD you’ll find on the market is a massive 20 terabytes! That’s space for thousands of hours of video footage. Cost and capacity go hand in hand and disk-based drives offer more storage at a lower price per GB.
Winner: HDD
What’s the lifespan of HDDs and SSDs—and are SSDs getting older?
As technology has matured, SSD lifespans are increasing. Experts tend to agree that SSDs can last around five years (on average). It’s a good idea to check the warranty to see how much confidence the manufacturer has in their creation! A bad device may fail after three years. A great one could last you ten or more years.
SSD cells can’t be written to as many times as the disk in an HDD. Thanks to wear leveling, the SSD can spread its operations evenly across all cells to minimize what’s called “cell death”. Newer SSDs also have spare cells that replace dead cells, helping to extend lifespans even further and possibly causing envy in mere humans. HDDs aren’t so lucky and tend to last around 3-5 years. Those spinning plates and moving arms simply wear out.
If you’re looking to sell your computer, formatting the hard drive or SSD will restore it to a clean state. It can also help boost performance of hard drives if their functionality or speed is being affected by data fragments and random program structures. Remember to back everything up beforehand! Before you begin, see this step-by-step guide to formatting a hard drive.
Why do laptops prefer SSDs?
The way SSDs work makes them ideal for laptops. The absence of mechanical parts means they’re lighter and more durable, making them less prone to breaking if you bump or drop them. If you drop your laptop while the read/write head of a hard drive is moving—good luck. You could ruin your HDD and lose your data. That generally doesn’t happen with an SSD. (But please don’t throw your laptop around.) SSDs also use less power and who doesn’t love a laptop with a longer battery life?
Since they were first released, HDDs have battled with large sizes while SSDs are available in a range of sizes. The smallest is as small as a stick of gum and 2.5” is the most common size now and usually offers the best value per GB.
Is an SSD or HDD better for gaming?
Whether you’re buying a new set-up for gaming, upgrading your existing technology, or trying to customize your own gaming PC, the right storage drive could make a noticeable difference. With an SSD, you’ll be more likely to experience:
- Higher speed: Many gamers consider game loading times the most significant difference between these storage types. SSDs are so much faster that you could end up saving hours not waiting for games to load.
- Smoother gameplay: As you play, games are making thousands of read/write operations behind the scenes. An HDD can slow this down to cause “hitching”, so your game locks at random intervals.
- Enhanced graphics: With an HDD, gravelling textures can take a while to load, and you won’t experience optimal frame rates per second. High-end graphics will be more likely to appear as they were meant to with an SSD.
- Less noise: Banish the moving parts, extra vibrations and noisy fan trying to cool your PC, and you can enjoy a quieter overall performance.
Game programs have large appetites for storage space HDDs offer more capacity for less. Many gamers work with hybrid solutions and combine internal and external drives and both SSDs and HDDs to align their budgets with their needs for speed.
I love the sound of silence: HDD or SSD?
Metal plates spinning at 7200 RPMs (revs per minute) aren’t renowned for their soothing tones—and neither is the dreaded clicking sound that could mean a hard-drive failure is imminent.
If you’re performing intensive tasks, you may experience high CPU temps that can cause your computer’s fans to spin noisily. Otherwise, there’s no doubt that PC life is more peaceful with an SSD. They’re completely silent.
HDD vs SSD: A final word on the pros and cons
SSDs are considered lighter, faster, quieter, more rugged, and use less power than HDDs, but they’rxfe still more expensive. If improved system performance and faster boot and load times are your top priorities, you need an SSD—just be sure you can afford the higher cost per gigabyte! In fact, SSDs can make as much difference to a laptop or desktop as a more powerful processor or more RAM. On the other hand, if a larger storage capacity at a lower price is for you, choose an HDD.
If you’re one of these typical users, you’ll benefit most from an SSD:
- You’re a gamer and love loading rich new games.
- You often use resource-intensive programs like multimedia editing suites.
- You open and copy large files.
- You transfer vast volumes of data such as 3D-modeling modules and uncompressed videos.
- You work out in the field or on the go and need a lightweight laptop.
Alternatively, if all or some of these points apply up you should be fine with an HDD:
- You need to back up large data volumes but don’t need to frequently access them.
- You’re on a strict budget when buying a PC.
- You have basic computing needs and tend to stick to Microsoft Office programs.
If the computer you’re reading this on is newer, it’s probably already using an SSD. In most consumer devices today, solid-state drives have gradually replaced hard-disks and are now the primary choice of storage. So, the battle of the storage giants may have been won. Is this the death of the hard-disk? Cheaper mass HDD storage is still more popular in business, but with prices of SSDs steadily declining, the future of storage is looking increasingly flash-based.
Keep your choice of drive in tip-top shape!
Neither SSDs nor HDDs are immune to digital junk, and both can fill up with digital clutter that could slow you down. Avira System Speedup helps find and delete the files and programs you don’t need, including temporary files, duplicates, bloatware, and internet junk. You’ll help free up disk space for a cleaner, leaner, and faster machine.
