Tag Archives: Difference between HDD and SSD

HDD Vs SSD What they are and the differences between them


HDD Vs SSDHDD Vs SSD And Their Differences – Hello friends, we always try bringing you some latest technology updates and new product details and interesting facts which may help you in some ways. In this series, our today’s topic is“HDD Vs SSD” and where we will examine the differences between them.

What is a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) : HDD Vs SSD

Hard Disk Drive is a non-volatile storage device which is used to store data magnetically which was first introduced by IBM in 1956 named as ‘IBM 350 RAMAC’. HD Drive has metal platters basically made up of aluminium alloy or a mixture of glass and ceramic. All these platters previously were coated with a magnetic medium called ‘magnetic oxide’ but now a thin layer of metal is coated which stores data in magnetic patterns. Whereas the glass technology has better heat resistance and allows thinner platters to be made than metal ones. They have a read/write head which is attached to an arm called an actuator arm which moves to and fro on these platters by using a voice coil actuator (previously by a stepper motor) and read/write the data on these platters. All these platters are stacked on a spindle motor which made them rotate, and this speed of rotation counted as rpm (Revolutions per minute). Modern HDD comes in two sizes 2.5 inches for laptops and 3.5 inches for desktops. HDD is also divided into different types: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA), Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI) & Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). IDEs are now outdated and SATA are normally used in Desktops and laptops, whereas SCSI & SAS are used in Servers.


What is a Solid State Drive (SSD) : HDD Vs SSD

Solid State Drive (SSD) is also a non-volatile storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data. It has an interconnected flash memory chips which are used to retain the data. In 2007, the OLPC XO-1 used a 1GB SSD, and the Asus Eee PC 700 series used a 2GB SSD as primary storage. Today 2.5-inch SSD has a capacity of 4TB, 3.5-inch hard drives have capacities as high as 10TB, and a 60TB version for servers was released by Seagate in 2016. As of 2017, most SSDs use 3D TLC NAND-based flash memory, which is a type of non-volatile memory that retains data when power is lost.

Difference Between HDD and SSD: HDD Vs SSD

  1. HDD and SSD are both capable of storing files, applications and booting your operating system.
  2. HDD is less expensive as compared to SSD.
  3. HDDs are easily available in the market but SSDs are
  4. The booting speed of SSD is much faster than HDD.
  5. When the data are written to the HDD, large files can become scattered around the disk platter, which causes the fragmentation. But if we talk about SSDs there is no fragmentation is seen because of no physical read/write head means data can be stored anywhere.
  6. SSD has no moving parts, so it keeps your data safe even if you drop or shake your laptop. But HDD has a movable head arm, due to which there is always remains a risk.
  7. As the HDD has a spinning platter, there is a limitation to its compact size and storage capacity, but there is no such problem with the SSD. That is why SSD is considered to be the future storage device.


  8. As the SSD has no moving part like a platter and head arm, there is no noise either.
  9. The power consumption of SSD is also low as compared to HDD.
  10. As far as longevity concerned, it is true that each cell in a flash memory bank can be written to and erased a limited number of times. Whereas HDD will eventually survive much longer since they use physical recording methods.
  11. HDDs can operate safely at an altitude of at most 3000 m (10,000 ft.) but they will fail to operate at altitudes above 12000 m (40,000 ft.).
  12. When stored offline (unpowered in shelf) in long term, the magnetic medium of HDD retains data significantly longer than memory used in SSDs.
  13. SD cannot be overwritten, but has to be rewritten to previously erased blocks while HDD can overwrite data directly on the drive in any particular sector.


Question 1. Which is faster SSD or HDD?

Answer: SSD is pretty much faster than HDD.

Question 2. Can you transfer OS from HDD to SSD?

Answer: For this purpose, you need to use third party software without reinstalling Windows.

Question 3. What is the use of SSD in laptop?

Answer: SSD can be used just like as HDD, like storing the data and installing the Operating System and other software. But SSDs are much more expensive and faster than HDD.

Question 4. Which one is best for HD gaming between HDD or SSD?

Answer: SSDs are the much better for the HD gaming than HDDs.

Question 5. Which one has the longer life span SSD or HDD?

Answer: In terms of life span HDDs are far better options to choose rather than SSDs. The minimum average life span of a SSD is 5 years and HDD has 10 years.