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What is an SSD?
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of computer storage device that uses flash-based memory to save your data permanently. Flash-based memory, or flash storage is a type of rapid, electronic memory. Flash storage differs from a hard drive or HDD, in that it features no moving parts and is in the form of a chip. If you are in need of an HDD door, cable or controller board we offer all these parts on our site.
Should you choose an SSD over an HDD?
An SSD has many advantages over an HDD, the biggest reason is that SDDs are much smaller and faster. Additionally, because they have no moving parts, SDDs are more reliable, less likely to break down and they use less energy. Hard disks are mechanical, not electronic (as you can see in the image above), and they read data magnetically which is much slower and noisier than modern SSDs. However, HDDs still have some redeeming qualities, especially that they are considerably cheaper than their electronic counterparts. Because they are less expensive, HDDs are available with larger amounts of storage than SDDs. Ultimately, if you have the space, many users find a combination of both an SSD and HDD to be the optimal configuration. As discussed in our previous guide to upgrading storage, the SSD can be used for your OS (operating system), applications, and essential files while the HDD can be used for storage.
Which SSD is best for your PC
Choosing an SSD can be a daunting task, however the first step is fairly easy: Find out what kind of SSD your computer supports. This will narrow your options and ensure the storage option you choose will be compatible with your PC. The two most common form factors are M.2 and and 2.5 inch, although there are other types of SSDs. If you have a high-end gaming PC or have built your own PC, you have the most choices because this setup will most likely be compatible with the majority of SSDs. Having a laptop limits your options as most modern, thin notebooks like the Asus X515 laptop support only the M.2 form factor.
2.5 inch drives are usually mounted to SSD trays, but offer more freedom of location than the M.2 form factor because they can be mounted nearly anywhere in your build. 2.5 inch drives also are compatible with most modern motherboards that have SATA ports. Speaking of the SATA interface, because 2.5 inch drives use this interface, it does make them slower than other SSD variants (but still much faster than any HDD, of course). If you are looking for an affordable option, a 2.5 inch drive is a great choice for you. As far as connections, you will need to connect external SATA data and power cables to 2.5 inch drives.
The other popular option, the M.2 form factor, attaches to a computer either with PCIe 3.0, SATA 3 or USB 3.0. These types of SSDs are also compatible with most modern motherboards. M.2 SSDs are smaller than the 2.5” drives and very easy to install although they could be slightly more expensive.
Best SSD for gaming
If you are an avid gamer, we recommend an SSD of at least 1TB. This way, you will have enough space for large games and be able to quickly load any game you’d like to play. Although smaller SSDs are cheaper, you will find that this space fills up very quickly, forcing you to upgrade much sooner than you’d expect.
If you would like an SSD recommendation or have questions about which drives are compatible with your PC, don’t hesitate to contact us! We will be happy to give you a personalized assessment and guide you to the best products for your needs. Thanks for reading, see you next week!
