[OPINION] SSD or HDD for OS/Main Apps

[leonnkeong]

As the title mentioned, I have been researching around on SSD for OS. What it helps is just faster boot OS and launching apps/games/software faster by few seconds. Since I'm buying a low storage SSD, so less write/read/moving large files around.

I currently have a 1TB HDD and I'm going to upgrade by adding one SSD (maybe 64/80 GB only).

So what's your opinion on SSD and HDD setup? Thanks in advance.

 

[kbrady1979]

OS and Programs: SSD
Data/Storage: HDD

I would recommend a 128gb SSD because they are faster than 64/80gb drives, and the price difference isn't THAT much.

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi leonnkeong,

'Users' seem to have mixed views about the 'SSD upgrade' when looked from the 'cost' stand-point. Yes, it is likely to be effective when used for 'Windows installation'. Though a disk size of '80 GB' should suffice; however would agree to 'kbrady1979' if '128 GB' storage drive is affordable. The larger 'storage size' may prove handy with 'higher bandwidth' to handle 'Windows Updates, service packs, along with software installation & updates' in future.

Unlike the traditional 'Hard Drives', 'Solid-state drives' use microchips to store data and are quieter, more durable and faster in operation. Not only do they have much faster read times since there is no moving head, but they also start up faster because they don't need to spin. Also, since the physical location of data doesn't matter on 'SSD', 'read speed' is consistent regardless of where the data is stored; and disk fragmentation isn't really a problem.

The most obvious advantages of an 'SSD' are 'faster boot-ups and application starts'. However, upgrade with 'SSD' is likely to be more helpful if you launch multiple applications and other 'multimedia intensive software' that take longer time to load e.g. Adobe Photoshop, etc. In addition, if you reboot your computer frequently (perhaps because you dual-boot), you may find a reduced 'boot time' of an 'SSD'.

On the other hand, if you use your system for basic functions like managing 'Email' or 'Office work', you may want to continue with the use of traditional disk.

Hope this helps.

 

[essenbe]

As has been said above, OS and programs on the SSD and Data on the hard drive. Typically, all of your user folders would reside on your 1TB hard drive as well as large files such as games. I also agree that a 128GB SSD would be better, but I ran the OS and all programs from a 64GB SSD for over a year and never ran out of space. Too many people are too concerned about read and writes to an SSD. Don't be, they are far more durable than most people think.

 

[leonnkeong]

Thanks for the replies.

In a nutshell, get a 120 GB SSD for OS and main programs/games - Photoshop, Sony Vegas, and 1 TB HDD for main storage and side-programs?

Anyway, do you recommend Intel SSD?

 

[Erick Aguilar]

The only mixed feeling I have about SSD's is that I'd only be able to see their performance what.. Once a day perhaps..
I only turn on my computer once. And run programs only once. But I guess some data accessing would be faster as well.

 

[maxie]

The Samsung Pro would be a good choice

 

[vaidas3]

The only mixed feeling I have about SSD's is that I'd only be able to see their performance what.. Once a day perhaps..
I only turn on my computer once. And run programs only once. But I guess some data accessing would be faster as well.

That's not true.. all operations with SSD feels faster not just boot and app startup.
so I would go with less ram (for example 4GB in place of 6-8GB) but definitely SSD.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

The only mixed feeling I have about SSD's is that I'd only be able to see their performance what.. Once a day perhaps..
I only turn on my computer once. And run programs only once. But I guess some data accessing would be faster as well.

That's not true.. all operations with SSD feels faster not just boot and app startup.

It's not a lie either.
Most users only turn on their computers once a day. Call it cliche. But the biggest fad i've seen about SSD's is startup time.

What else would I benefit from with an SSD? could you elaborate? Besides data releabitlity of course. That one I do like, but SSD's are too expensive right now to have the same amount of capacity of a mechanical HDD in an SSD array.

 

[1Engineer]

The Samsung Pro would be a good choice

Ditto that. When you read about user experience installing and reliability, Samsung is the leader and second place is far behind. I would not consider anything else right now.

Be sure to make a backup image for the SSD. Data recovery is practically impossible for SSD's due to the nature of their load balancing utilities and fragmentation.

 

[vaidas3]

It's not a lie either.
Most users only turn on their computers once a day. Call it cliche. But the biggest fad i've seen about SSD's is startup time.

What else would I benefit from with an SSD? could you elaborate? Besides data releabitlity of course. That one I do like, but SSD's are too expensive right now to have the same amount of capacity of a mechanical HDD in an SSD array.

what feels faster when I run OS on SSD:
1) windows UI.. all the windows feels more snappy
2) software install/update (on SSD)
3) launching software and working with that software (menus, UI and other functionality like opening new browser tab)
I can feel difference when working with pc that has SSD.. its far more responsive.
Especially if its disk intensive software.

 

[1Engineer]

The average user will indeed notice a quicker responding system. People who keep their computer well-tuned by limiting unnecessary programs at login and keeping their disk drive optimized and defragmented often report being disappointed in the performance difference. I would say that at least 95% of users are impressed. It is about like the difference between having 2-Gb of RAM and 4-GB.

 

[indianacarnie]

Am loving my (fairly) new SSD. Everything feels quicker, and as I only have a laptop (which I need due to the nature of my business, see system spec.'s) I like the for me minimal gain in battery life. Others may have more life gain. I also like the heat drop which is quite noticeable to me, not that my machine was overheating before. I like the robustness of them over the spinners, as I am moving around @ 8 months a year.

Having said all THAT ,lol, my M4 Crucial is making me dance in the street. The Samsung mentioned IS top of the line but a tad pricier. SSD's are my number 1 suggestion for a faster more responsive machine if the amount RAM installed is adequate.

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi leonnkeong,

Encouraging to see users share their 'positive experiences' with the use of 'Solid State Drives'; their first-hand experience' should be useful in taking a decision.

For details on 'Intel Drives', you may find their 'SSD Product Comparison' useful: Intel® Solid-State Drives (SSD)
While researching, I found some interesting resources/articles on the web that you may want to refer to:
- Solid-state Drive Review 2013 - TopTenREVIEWS
- SSD Reviews and Comparison - SSD Reviews, Data Sheets and Comparison - ssdreview.com

Hope the information helps.

 

[kbrady1979]

The average user will indeed notice a quicker responding system. People who keep their computer well-tuned by limiting unnecessary programs at login and keeping their disk drive optimized and defragmented often report being disappointed in the performance difference. I would say that at least 95% of users are impressed. It is about like the difference between having 2-Gb of RAM and 4-GB.

I was blown away when I got my first SSD, an Intel 120GB X25-M, and I kept my system tuned, and running lean. There was actually THAT much difference.

An SSD upgrade will make more of a difference in performance than ANY other component. Yes, even more than a CPU upgrade, even more than a new graphics card, and more than adding more RAM. From installing applications, opening up multiple programs, to just moving around in Windows......an SSD will absolutely make a difference. You'd think as long as they have been out on the market, we wouldn't have to keep explaining this to people.

 

[essenbe]

What Kbrady said is absolutely true. An SSD is the most noticable upgrade you can do to any computer, old or new. I own 7 of them. The biggest comment we see here from people installing their first SSD is, "Why did I wait so long". Others, like me, say I will never have a computer without an SSD for the OS and programs. The biggest thing you will notice is not startup time, it is response time. That is the time from when you click the shortcut until the program actually opens. Consider that the average response time from a mechanical hard drive is 14-15 ms. Most top rated SSDs have a response time of 0.1ms or less. So, yes you will see great improvements in every day use, not just startup time, which will be greatly improved as well. The little spinning circle you see now is almost non existent on an SSD.

 

[1Engineer]

There is some difference in opinion as to the noticed speed increase (reduced wait time) experienced with SSD compared to HDD. Much of this difference has to do with circumstances in which the computer is being used.

System Startup
SSD does boot quicker than HDD. On my system which has a RAID controller and 1-TB drives in RAID 1 (mirrored), SSD boots in about 20 seconds less - but my system boots quicker than the average system. The 20 seconds is of no value to me at all as I boot my system a couple of times per week. A student who reboots and shutdowns their computer over 6 times a day will love the SSD - - especially if using a laptop computer on battery as it is MUCH quicker on SSD.

System Backup
Backups are a little quicker for SSD but the system must still wait on the backup target which is usually a USB external drive or online "cloud" service. The SSD makes the reads quick but the writing is still slow. I schedule backups for 2:00 AM so I do not care if the SSD is 20% quicker for backups. Backing up to another SSD as the target should be MUCH quicker. System backup is more important for SSD because data recovery is nearly a waste of time when an SSD malfunctions.

Program Installs, Upgrades, and Starts
This is where SSD really shines. The system will still have to wait for the upgrades to download which is usually the longest wait time of the process but the actual install of the upgrade is very quick.

Security scans
Much quicker for SSD; however, if you schedule your scans to run while you are sleeping, then you will not care.

Internet browsing
Assuming the user has a quick broadband connection to the Internet, over 90% of browsing delay is attributed to the far-end server (port throttling) and network gateway (router throttling) and not the user computer.

Gaming
It truly depends upon the game. Some games see no performance gain in operation because they load nearly everything in RAM. Other games retrieve tools, schemes, scenes, weapons, etc. from the mass storage device during play, and these games will be much more responsive on SSD. Most gamers I know say they see no difference while playing their games but it really depends upon the game.

Office Applications
Except for starting Excel, Word, or Outloook, I cannot tell any difference in the responsiveness of the programs.

Maintenance
Most installations of SSD requires no maintenance because its software does it automatically. HDD require maintenance for defragmenting and optimizing file & directory locations. This is why the average user sees more difference in speed -- their HDD is poorly maintained and slow.