What Are SSD and HDD?
HDD (Hard Disk Drive): It is a mechanical storage unit that writes data magnetically onto rotating metal platters. It has been in use since 1956. It contains moving parts (a motor and a read head).
SSD (Solid State Drive): It is a storage unit that writes data electronically onto flash memory chips. It contains no moving parts at all. It works like a USB stick but is far faster.
SSD vs HDD — Comparison
Speed
SSD: 500-7000 MB/s read speed. Windows starts in 8-15 seconds.
HDD: 80-160 MB/s read speed. Windows starts in 45-90 seconds.
Durability
SSD: No moving parts. Resistant to shock and vibration.
HDD: Delicate mechanical parts. High risk if dropped.
Noise
SSD: Completely silent.
HDD: Noise from the motor and head movement. Clicking, humming.
Energy
SSD: 2-5 watt consumption. Extends the laptop's battery life.
HDD: 6-10 watts of consumption.
Price (per GB)
SSD 1TB: ~800-1500 TL
HDD 1TB: ~400-600 TL
SSDs are more expensive, but prices fall every year.
Capacity
SSD: From 128 GB to 8 TB.
HDD: 500 GB — 20 TB. HDDs are advantageous at high capacities.
The Benefits of Switching from HDD to SSD
- Windows starts in 10 seconds (45-90 seconds on an HDD)
- Programs start instantly — Chrome, Office, Photoshop
- File copying becomes 5-10 times faster
- Game loading times are halved
- Laptop battery life increases by 30-60 minutes
- The device runs completely silently
SSD Types — Which Should You Buy?
2.5" SATA SSD
Compatible with old laptops and desktops. The same size and connection as an HDD. 500-550 MB/s speed. An affordable option.
M.2 SATA SSD
A compact form factor. The same speed as 2.5" SATA but a smaller size. Found in some modern laptops.
M.2 NVMe SSD
The fastest option. 2000-7000 MB/s speed. In modern laptops and desktops. 5-10 times faster than SATA.
Should You Have an SSD Upgrade Carried Out?
Definitely yes in the following cases:
- If your computer takes 2+ minutes to start
- If programs are slow to open and you receive "Not Responding" errors
- If disk usage constantly shows %100 in Task Manager
- If your computer is 3+ years old and uses an HDD
At Altunakar Bilgisayar we provide SSD upgrade services in Çankaya for laptops and desktop computers of all brands. Your existing data is cloned one to one, with no data loss whatsoever.