When you or someone wants to buy a new computer system, then there is always a thought that came to someone’s mind is that “which configuration of computer should I buy?” you may also think about the type of storage device installed in that computer system. And then you have only two options to choose from. One is SSD (Solid State Drive) and the other is HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

Though both are good for their own reasons, here we’ll have a comparison between both types of storage devices and make a conclusion for which you may buy your computer system accordingly.

But before comparing SSD and HDD, it will be good to have a brief knowledge about both of them.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

HDD or Hard Disk Drive was first introduced by IBM in 1956. It will surprise you, but the truth is that this technology is in existence for more than 60 years.

The main technology used in HDD is Magnetism to store data. There is a rotating platter which stores data using the Magnetism. To read or write data, a read/write head is also present just above the rotating platter. Hence more the speed of the spin of the platter, more is the read or write speed of the HDD.

A typical computer system or laptop contains HDD of 5400 RPM (Revolutions per Minute) or 7200 RPM. There is also HDD whose spin reaches up to 15000 RPM.

One of the benefits of using HDD is that you can store a huge amount of data with less cost as HDD are cheaper than other types of the storage device. Nowadays we have a number of computer system, laptop coming with 1TB storage capacity or more and it is increasing day by day.

Though HDD is cheaper as a comparison to SSD, it is one of the popularly used storage devices than SSD. The price of an SSD as a comparison to HDD, keeping the storage amount same, is 3-4 times more.

The outer appearance of HDD is quite same as that of SSD and comes with the same standard size.

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Solid State Drive (SSD)

What is the Difference between SSD and HDD with full Information

Solid State Drive or SSD is also a storage device and it is more or less like a pen drive except that it has more capacity of storing data than a typical pen drive. It is also a more sophisticated storage device than other storage devices available in the market.

The main technology used in SSD is that the data is stored in Microchips and unlike HDD there is nothing moving or spinning parts in SSD.

We know that HDD contains a Platter and a mechanical moving head to read or write data, the more the spin of the platter the more the speed of HDD. Unlike HDD, SSD does not contain any mechanical read or write head, and this makes SSD faster than a typical HDD. It contains an embedded processor or control to do the work of the read or write of the data stored in SSD.

SSD contains Nano-Based Flash memory which is non-volatile in nature.

The whole technology of SSD is contained in a plastic or metallic case of different sizes and somehow looks like a battery.

It comes with the same standard size as HDD and the connector for this is same as HDD i.e. SATA.

After having a brief knowledge about the SSD and HDD, let’s see an overall difference between SSD and HDD.

SSD

SSD uses less power. The average power consumed by a SSD is 2-3 watts which boosts the battery life to approx. 30 minutes.
It is very expensive as compared to a typical HDD.
Due to its more price, SSD is manufactured in lower storage capacity.
The bootup time is approx. 10-13 seconds.
SSD doesn’t contain any moving or spinning parts and hence no sound is produced from SSD.
Less or no vibration due to absence of moving or spinning parts.
SSD does not have any moving parts, consumes less power and hence produces less heat.
In SSD, mean time between failure rate of 2.0 million hours.
The data transfer speed is generally 200 MB/s-550MB/s.
SSD is generally 30% faster than a HDD.
SSD is safe from any types of magnetic effects as it doesn’t use magnetism for its data storage.

HDD

It consumes more power as comparison to SSD and takes around 6-7 watts and hence drains out the battery life sooner.
It is cheaper than a typical SSD with the same amount of storage capacity.
You can find HDD of very large storage capacity and it much economical.
The average bootup time is 30-40 secs.
HDD has moving and spinning parts, and hence there are sounds of Clicks and spinning of Head and Platter.
Vibration is common for Header and Platter as they are moving parts.
It Produces more heat than a typical SSD dut to the presence of moving parts and more consumption of power.
Mean time between failure rate of 1.5 million hours.
The speed is generally 50 MB/s-120MB/s.
HDD is slower than a SSD.
HDD has a great effect of Magnetism as it is the technology used for storage of data in HDD. Data can also be completely erased due to magnetic effects.

We saw many differences and similarities between SSD and HDD which will be beneficial for anyone to make a decision of buying storage device keeping in the mind the above comparison.

It will be wrong to say that SSD is always a good choice over HDD as it completely depends on the individual who is buying those devices depending upon his needs.

Here we’ll make some points which will be convenient for you to decide while buying those devices.

SSD should be a choice if…..

You want to spend more money on the faster performance of your computer system.
You can manage with the less but manageable amount of storage capacity.

HDD should be a choice if…..

You need more storage capacity i.e. 10TB or more.
You don’t want to spend too much money on a storage device.
You don’t bother about the Bootup time and Copy speed of the files in your computer.

We hope that the comparison with full information about SSD and HDD helps you a lot. If you want your friends to know this, then you must share with them.