HDD vs SSD. Which is better?

When selecting a server, processor specifications and storage capacity are regarded as key factors. In any case, the function of a storage for a server differs from that of your PC as every server must store a great amount of data with 24/7 access. Thus, the main characteristics are:

• high performance,
• minimal response time,
• safety of data and possibility to recover it.

Modern storage media are represented by HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid-State Drive). What is that? What are the differences between HDD and SSD? What kind of storage to choose? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in our today's article.

So what are HDD and SSD?

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is a storage device based on magnetic recording technology. Reading and writing data from a hard disk is performed by the sensing head located above a rotating magnetic plate (similar to the phonograph). It was invented by IBM (International Business Machines) in 1956 and immediately became a very popular type of storage, decreasing in size and increasing in capacity over time.

SSD (Solid-State Drive) is a type of storage that uses electronic circuits to store data instead of moving parts. The operating principle is based on semi-conductors that change the electrical condition of the trillions of circuits contained in the drive. They have no moving parts, which helps to avoid problems with data loss or disk damage (similar to a USB flash drive).

Both HDD and SSD are similar in their physical features, but they have totally different ways to store and recover data. However, both technologies come with their advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about the most obvious facts.

HDD’s speed is very low.

Speed ​​is the main difference between an SSD and HDD, when servers have to perform multiple IO operations (Input-Output), and information is not distributed sequentially. The speed of an SSD is not mechanically limited, so it works better with random IO processes and reading or writing random information.

SSD loses in terms of storage capacity.

This is a major factor if you need a dedicated server for storing large-capacity data. One HDD can hold up to 16 TB. Although it is possible to increase the amount of memory with any storage device nowadays, the price-to-power ratio becomes the only difference.

HDD is vulnerable to many external influences.

This could be caused by sunlight exposure or high temperatures, fluids, dust, or sensitivity to other magnetic fields. Mobile parts of a hard drive may be damaged at any time and cause data loss. The architecture of the SSD makes it mechanically more reliable than a hard drive because it can withstand vibrations or shocks that are fatal to an HDD.

SSD has a limited number of write cycles.

Although SSD has a limited life-time determined by the number of write cycles, you should not worry about the data safety. SSD assets and smart planning can handle massive quantities of written data. For example, the controller evenly distributes data across all SSD sectors, levelling out its mechanical wear. Also, non-volatile flash memory cells used instead of RAM maintain their conditions when the power is switched off.

What storage type is worthy to select? Of the two options, it is impossible to indetify the winner, and there cannot be any clear answer to this question. Both technologies are relevant today, and the choice between them depends on the operations performed on the server. On some, the data are written more frequently than read, on others, inverses. So, video hosting basically requires data reading, logging systems, video surveillance or backup - recording, corporate information systems - both reading and writing. That's why HDD servers are suitable for long-term storage of data with a constant low load. But in case you need a server for quickly dealing with all the tasks under a heavy load, then an SSD is a must.

The storage of all LLHOST INC. Virtual Servers (OVS) is based on a fast SSD, which has an advantage in terms of speed and response time compared to the HDD. They can easily perform a wide range of operational tasks that require fast loading, such as 1C, web development, 3D graphics and animation, audio and video editing, etc. Also, you have the opportunity to get a -13% discount on any virtual server (OVS) plan using the promo code #needforspeed until October 21, 2022.*

With virtual servers (OVS) from LLHOST INC. the time for searching and reading data tends to zero!

* The discount is valid for the 3-month period of the monthly billing cycle.