Those who are choosing a new computing option, whether for gaming or any other need, have a few important decisions facing them. One of these, a factor that will often set a baseline for many of the other components you choose in your computer, is whether you’re going with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) for your file storage needs.
At Xidax, we’re here to help with these and numerous other decisions while you consider any of our desktop computers, laptops, gaming setups, workstations and other high-quality computing products. We’ve assisted clients in determining the ideal setup for their precise needs, from hardware areas like the hard drive to software considerations, accessories like mousepads and keyboards, and numerous others. When choosing between the HDD and SSD for your file storage and other drive needs, what are the various factors you should be considering? Here are several.
First and foremost, let’s define both of these items for those who aren’t familiar with them:
How do these compare in terms of the practical elements you care about for your machine, though? Our next several sections will investigate.
When it comes to these basic areas, the SSD tends to hold the advantage. The average boot time of SSDs is just over 23 seconds today, compared to over 62 seconds for the average HDD – this means the SSD is over 2.5 times faster on boot-up, which is a significant factor for some.
And when it comes to general reliability, while both these options are robust, the SSD also holds the edge. Its failure rate is under 0.5% across all models, a stunningly low number. HDD numbers range from 2-5% failure rates depending on the specific model utilized, which means they’re anywhere from four to ten times more likely to fail than the SDD.
Yet another area where SSDs tend to hold an advantage is in the power they draw, plus their battery life. SDDs average about 2-3 watts for usage, leading to a situation where most of them will boost battery by at least 30 minutes – this is especially true for laptops and other portable computing devices. HDDs, on the other hand, have a power draw of 6-7 watts, using more battery for basic operations.
Now, HDDs do still hold some major advantages as well, and storage capacity – plus related costs – is one of these. There are multiple areas of the capacity and cost realm where HDDs are the superior product:
One area where both options hold different advantages over one another comes in the realm of lifespan and durability. When it comes to pure lifespan expectations, particularly for those who are 100% confident they can keep the computer in good condition and avoid damage, the HDD is usually the better option – it will last for decades in optimal conditions, often capable of being repurposed in another machine if needed.
SSDs, on the other hand, will begin losing data and storage capabilities after about a decade, even when kept in the best conditions. On the flip side, though, they are also better at resisting damage through events like drops or other physical impact, meaning they might be preferable for those who need a portable device and want to protect against potential damage.
Many computer users also care quite a bit about these factors, and they’re all areas where SSDs tend to hold some edges:
Finally, which of the two is most readily available? The edge here goes to HDDs, which have basically no manufacturing limitations and are incredibly popular on the market – meaning there are many options available at all times. SSDs are more variable when it comes to both price and availability, though this could change in the upcoming months and years as the materials needed for SSDs become more readily available.
For more on choosing between an SSD and HDD for your file storage needs, or to learn about any of our gaming computers or other products, speak to the staff at Xidax today.
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