SSD vs HDD – What is right for you?

When building or upgrading a PC, the storage decision can feel overwhelming. SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) each have strengths and weaknesses. Below is a quick rundown to help you decide.

Performance

• SSD: Faster boot times, quick file transfers, lower latency.
• HDD: Slower, especially for random reads/writes.

Capacity & Cost

• SSD: Higher cost per GB. Typical consumer prices: $0.10‑$0.20/GB for SATA, $0.15‑$0.30/GB for NVMe.
• HDD: Cheaper, great for bulk storage. $0.03‑$0.05/GB for 4‑TB drives.

Reliability & Lifespan

• SSD: No moving parts, less prone to physical shock. Limited write cycles, but modern SSDs easily last years under typical use.
• HDD: Mechanical wear, susceptible to damage from drops.

Use Cases

• Gaming & OS: SSD for OS, games, and applications.
• Media & Backups: HDD for movies, archives, backups.
• Hybrid: SSD + HDD combo for best of both worlds.

What are your current storage setups? Share experiences and recommendations below!