HDD and SSD – what is the difference between the two types of storage?

While storage devices are only a small part of PC builds, choosing the wrong type of storage can seriously affect performance. So, we’ll take a look at the types of HDD and SSD storage, the differences between each, and what you should do when building a PC.

HDD (hard disk drive) is a device that stores data on circular disks with a magnetic coating. A mechanical arm moves over the surface of the rotating platters to read and write data. Hard drives were once the most popular storage devices due to their affordability and reliability.

SSDs (solid state drives), on the other hand, do not contain moving mechanical parts. Instead, they rely on integrated circuits to store data. Not only does this make them much faster than rival HDDs, but they also run quieter and last longer. SSDs cost much more (per gigabyte) than standard hard drives, which made them a luxury in previous years. Thankfully, SSD prices have dropped each year making them more accessible and affordable – even for gamers on a tight budget.

Additionally, SSDs come in all shapes and sizes with different form factors like SATA and and M.2, each with their own benefits and limitations. Your choice of hosting size and type will depend on your budget and what support you build. However, the key and important difference to note is that any SSD can easily surpass a mechanical hard drive no matter what type of interface you use.

Which should you choose?

These days, going with an SSD has become a necessity if you want to benefit from faster boot times and reduced load times when gaming. The good news is that you don’t have to opt for it and skip the traditional hard drives altogether.

Hard drives still have a place in modern versions and can work especially well when paired with an SSD. This hybrid method allows you to run Windows and games from the SSD faster, and have a cheaper drive for other purposes. While you probably won’t want to use them as your primary boot drive, HDDs are still great for storing large files and backing up your data.