If you’re building the computer of your dreams, you’ve most likely come across the terms SSD, M.2 and HDD. But what do they mean, and more importantly, which ones should you pick when building your PC? Here, I’ll explain what each storage device does and what you would use it for.
HDD – Hard Disk Drives
Starting with the Hard Drive (HDD), the original storage device the majority of you will be familiar with! If you’ve ever had a PC, you would have come across one of these chunky boys, as they have been around for decades. This is one of the older ways of keeping your files safe. In this day and age, they are only good for archiving data that doesn’t need to be accessed frequently.
This can be old family photos or videos or just by accessing archives! Due to their mechanical nature, they will be slower in performance and more susceptible to physical damage from drops or shocks, so make sure they are secure in the PC.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and are not too bothered about programs taking a little bit longer to load, you should consider getting an HDD. However, if you want performance out of your PC, investing in our next option, the SSD, should be right for you.
SSD – Solid State Drive
Do you want your games to run quicker? Or do you want your PC to run a lot smoother? An SSD is probably the right choice for you. Since the SSD has no moving parts like the HDD, it will read data quicker and increase boot times for games or anything you store on your PC.
You have to consider some things before investing in SSDs. They are on the pricey side compared to HDDs. Luckily, prices have decreased over time as the technology becomes the standard! Also, this is less of an issue with modern SSDs, but some older models have a finite amount of time to write data, meaning that, eventually, specific data will get corrupted.
On a positive note, SSDs are an excellent choice if you prioritise speed, reliability, and energy efficiency. They increase the performance of your PC when playing games or when you’re working on projects; usually, the benefits of having an SSD over an HHD will justify their cost! But if you want maximum performance, look at an M.2.
M.2 – The Future of Fast
You’re probably wondering, what is an M.2? I thought the same, not knowing what one was. They are smaller, faster SSDs that plug straight into the motherboard, which means the time that games or programs have to load is the fastest it could be since it eliminates the inconvenience of having data cables connecting to your storage devices.
Since this is a relatively new technology, not all motherboards have M.2 slots, and some may not support NVMe drives. Always check your motherboard specifications. They also produce a bit more heat, so having extra cooling, like fans, would be beneficial. If you will be gaming, video editing, or need to transfer larger files, consider building a PC with an M.2 in mind.
Overall, always verify compatibility with your motherboard and consider any additional cooling solutions to mitigate heat. Still, an M.2 offering high-speed data access is worth the investment!
So Which One’s Best for Gaming? Here’s the TL;DR:
- HDD: Good for bulk storage and archiving but slower than the other options.
- SSD: Perfect balance between speed and price, great for most gamers.
- M.2: Ultimate speed for those who want the best.
Our Top Picks
If you’re still unsure which storage is best for your gaming setup, why not check out some of the pre-built options from CyberPowerPCUK? We’ve got a range of rigs to suit every gamer’s needs!
If you are still confused and need some guidance, please feel free to contact us at support@cyberpowersystem.co.uk
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, choosing between an HDD, SSD, or M.2 depends on what you value most: storage space, speed, or both. But if you want the best gaming experience, speed is where it’s at. And with CyberPowerPC having your back, you can snag a gaming PC that’ll take your setup to the next level.
Whether you’re diving into AAA titles, want faster boot times or need extra storage, we’ve got something for everyone. Happy gaming!