No computational device can run without storage. A computer uses storage in different forms RAM is a type of temporary storage, GPU comes with its own VRAM capacity, a processor has its cache memory, etc. Though these are some technically advanced forms of storage used by a computer, the most common and with which you might also be familiar is the computer’s internal storage.
Yes, that store where you store all your data files, photos, music, documents, games, and even your computer’s operating system stays there. While building a PC or buying a laptop, you get the option to choose between HDD, SSD, and SSHD storage. It could not be evident to decide to go with which one. But you don’t have to worry anymore.
In this particular article, I am going to compare these three popular computer storage options, i.e., SSD, HDD, and SSHD, side by side. By the end of this article, you will decide which one fits the best as per your requirements and budget. Without any further ado, let’s get started.
Why should Internal Storage (SSD, HDD & SSHD) be fast?
The computer’s internal storage is where every single data file is stored, including the operating system. To have a fast response between the input and output, the read and write speeds of the storage play a significant role.
Faster storage will enable the machine to boot the Operating System faster. All the applications installed on faster storage will also load faster than on slower storage. Hence, you can say that faster storage makes the performance of a computer faster.
Types of Storage Drives
Storage drives or Internal storage of a computer are of different types. But the most widely used storage solutions on a computer are three in number. These are – SSD, HDD, and SSDH. These storages differ in price, speed, durability, etc., about which we’ll talk later. Let’s talk about these storage drives a bit.
1HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
HDD or Hard Disk Drives are the most basic and cheapest storage solution on the market. The HDD is a good option for looking for an affordable storage option for their PC.
But since HDD is the most basic and traditional form of storage, you can’t expect a super heavy storage speed and hence is not advised to be used in a fast computer system as the storage will prove to be a bottleneck.
Advantages of HDD
- Most affordable storage drive.
- Offers more storage capacity.
- It offers a long lifespan in the read & write cycle.
- Works over magnetization and demagnetization; hence data recovery is much easier.
Disadvantages of HDD
- Moving parts are less reliable and make HDD prone to get damage from any accidents.
- Read and write speeds are slower.
- Produces noise.
- Big and Bulky.
- Least power-efficient and produces noise.
2SSD (Solid-State Drive)
SSD, or the Solid State Drive, is the fastest possible storage solution available in the common market. The SSD provides fast read & write speeds. It is really good for achieving a high-speed performance experience on the computer.
Hence if your PC has good hardware, then having an SSD storage solution in your PC is a good choice, as fast storage will go hand in hand with fast data transfers and faster processing of that data. But the SSD storage solution also costs extra money for faster performance and speed. Hence, it is not budget-friendly.
Advantages of SSD
- Offers fast read and write speeds.
- More reliable due to no moving parts.
- Best power efficiency and less noise.
- Compact and lightweight.
Disadvantages of SSD
- It costs more than HDD and SSHD.
- Read and write speed cycles are less, and so is the lifespan.
- It has less and limited memory space.
3SSHD (Solid-State Hybrid Drive)
SSDH is also known as Solid-State Hybrid Drive. The inclusion of the word “Hybrid” has already given you an idea about its performance. The SSDH storage solution is a hybrid of HDD and SSD, both in pricing and speed.
Hence, to achieve good results while staying under the budget, the SSHD storage solution is the one that you should look at. It provides SSD-comparable storage speeds on an HDD-comparable budget. That means you get a good blend of performance and price.
Advantages of SSHD
- Offers a good balance of speed and storage capacity.
- Less moving parts than HDD.
- It has NAND flash storage, which makes the frequently used data get accessed faster via caching.
- It provides more read and write cycles than SSD.
Disadvantages of SSHD
- The HDD part is prone to drop or exposure resulting in the dysfunction of the whole SSHD.
SSD vs. HDD vs. SSHD Comparison
A brief description of these storage options is definitely not enough to decide which one is better. It is important to know them in more detail regarding their performance, functioning, pricing, etc.
So, here is a side-by-side comparison between the SSD, HDD, and SSHD.
Storage Speed and Efficiency
I have already described that the smooth and flawless performance depends on the storage speed. Hence, speed plays a major factor to consider while buying disc storage for your PC.
The SSD holds the best data transfer speeds in both read ^ write operations. An SSD provides almost thrice the read and write speeds compared to an HDD. The SSD takes half the time to boot the Operating System as compared to a 7200rpm HDD. However, if an SSHD is considered, this storage’s read & write speed lies between the former two.
As far as efficiency is concerned, the SSD is the best in this. Both HDD and SSHD come with little to many moving parts, one of which is the rotating magnetic disk. This disk spins and generates heat and noise while operating; hence the efficiency gets compromised in HDD and SSHD.
Pricing
SSD definitely provides much faster speeds than an HDD, but extra speed comes with extra money. HDD is the least expensive storage solution, and you buy almost twice the HDD storage at the same price as an SSD. Hence the HDD is the most budget-friendly solution. However, if you want to buy storage that is faster than HDDs, SSHDs come into play. The SSHD storage costs are similar to HDD one, with a slight storage compromise and increment in speeds and performance.
Reliability & Lifespan
Talking about reliability, both HDD and SSHD storage consists of a lof moving parts. These are more prone to get damaged by dropping or rough handling. However, this is not the case with SSDs, as they are mostly circuit boards and consist of flash storage. Hence, it is more resistant to rough handling and accidental damage.
Talking about the normal lifespan, it is strange, but an HDD can last longer than SSD. Yes, despite being more advanced, the useful lifespan of an SSD lies below the HDD. Talking about an SSHD this storage consists of both moving parts (HDD Part) and NAND flash storage (SSD Part). So, the lifespan is also close to an SSD.
Size & Weight
Size and weight also vary among these storage drives. The SSD is the smallest form factor, along with the lightest in weight as well. The SSD, as I said earlier, consists of Flash Storage, which is made up of millions of tiny transistors. Hence, it doesn’t require much space and weighs less. This results in a small and lighter form factor of the SSDs.
However, the HDD and SSHDs come with moving mechanical parts that acquire large space and weigh considerably more. This makes the HDD and SSHD heavier and bigger than SSDs.
SSD vs. HDD vs. SSHD – Which one to buy?
There can’t be a universal answer that can suit everyone. This is because every person has his own requirement. Different people’s answers can differ based on factors like budget, performance, use case, etc.
I have discussed the advantages, disadvantages, pricing, durability, performance, etc., aspects of each storage drive, and based on that information, pick the one that suits you the best. The main factor is the budget, and when you’re tight on it, you should look for the best value-for-money deal.
In my opinion, you should divide your budget for a pair of these storage variants. If I talk about myself, I use a pair of HDD and SSD. I use SSD storage for storing my daily use files and software along with my operating system. The HDD is for less frequently used files. However, if your budget doesn’t allow this, then you can try any other pair of these storage drives like HDD-SSHD, SSD-SSHD, etc.
Bottom Line
SSD vs. HDD vs. SSHD – Each storage drive solution has its own advantages and disadvantages. But more options result in more possibilities and flexibilities for the product to dit according to the budget and requirements.
As per my personal experience, having a combination of two storage drives is definitely a good decision because it offers both storage and performance at a pocket-friendly price. What are your thoughts? Please do let’s know!