Choosing a solid state drive is a serious matter. Despite his considerable age in the world of technology, he still remains inaccessible to some. Especially when it comes to home computers that do not require high performance. But the question of which SSD is better to choose remains relevant, despite the cost of the device.
For what?
So, before you rush into the Internet and think which SSD is better to choose, you need to generally understand what it is for. The solid state drive originally came to replace the well-known hard drive. But he is not destined to become a replacement yet.
Of course, SSD is several times faster than HDD, it is protected from mechanical damage, as it is represented by flash memory. But its cost is much more. For example, the cost of a 1-2 TB hard drive is equal to the cost of a 240 GB solid-state drive.
Combination
Which SSD is better to choose? Of course, everything is very individual. The choice will depend on your goals and the system as a whole. Since the cost of a solid-state drive is high, many now purchase it with the HDD. Thus, it is possible to supplement a 1-2 TB HDD with a 240 GB drive.
Why is this done? Thus, you can transfer the operating system to the SSD. This will help the computer boot up many times faster. It can also affect the opening of many standard programs.
Some users prefer to install games on SSDs so that they work with increased performance. Buying a more capacious solid-state drive will cost you a tidy sum. Sometimes it may seem completely unjustified.
How to choose?
Which SSD is better to choose, you will understand when you study the parameters that you should pay attention to when buying.
First you need to look at the form factor. This is the physical size of the device. In general, almost all modern computers support any of them, but there may be problems with individual formats. This point will have to be clarified.
The type of memory does not often need attention. In addition, manufacturers are now trying to choose the most effective option. Nevertheless, before buying you will have to understand the MLC and TLC.
The speed of operation is not always indicated in the specifications for the product. But it is also better to know it before buying a particular model. Only after you know the speed of the drive, you will understand which SSD-drive is better to choose.
Next, you will need to determine the volume. Here, again, it is worth recalling that the cost of an SSD is very high compared to the price of a hard drive. Therefore, you have to sacrifice something: whether it is the volume or speed of work.
In extreme cases, attention can be paid to the manufacturer. Of course, there are already those on the market who have declared themselves as the developers of a quality product. But the value of the goods they have may be higher. Therefore, it is better to choose something in between, rather than chasing the brand.
Volume
One of the main selection criteria is volume. In this case, which SSD is best to choose is an individual solution. If you are ready to spend 12-15 thousand rubles to purchase a 1-2 TB solid state drive, then the choice is obvious.
If you just want to supplement the main storage on your hard drive, then you can choose an option from 60 GB. Typically, customers choose from 60 to 120 GB in order to install the operating system and improve PC performance. 240-500 GB is enough to store personal data. Solid-state drives with a large volume are needed for a full-fledged gaming assembly. In this case, the gamer still can not do without HDD.
Drive types
When choosing a device, you will have to figure out which type of SSD is better. For what? The type of device affects performance. But there is a problem: only you can determine which particular drive option you need. Therefore, it’s easier to start to figure out what types are.
Solid state drives can be created on the basis of:
These are the most common options. TLC is the most budget option. It has a three-level cell. It can work with 3-5 thousand recording cycles. His speed is not too high, but still several times higher than that of the HDD. For the base system or the simplest gaming perfect.
MLC is an expensive type of drive. It has a multi-level cell. The number of write cycles is the same as the previous version. But such a drive is more reliable and affordable. Gamers should especially pay attention to this option.
SLC - works with a single-level cell. It is the most durable, resistant to different temperatures. It shows high performance and allows you to use up to 10 thousand rewriting cycles.
V is Samsung’s own development. It is special for its enormous speed of work. Such options are the basis for the development of more capacious drives.
Form factor
Which SSD is better to choose for a laptop? In this case, it is necessary to study the form factor parameter. It displays the physical dimensions and shapes of the drive.
The most popular are:
- SSD 2.5 ";
- SSD M.2;
- SSD 1.8 ".
The latter option is less common, ideal if you do not know which SSD is better to choose for a laptop.
SSD 2.5 is considered the most universal form factor. It looks like a small box, somewhat similar to laptop hard drives. Despite the fact that such a solid-state drive is very compact, you can install it in a regular PC. a special compartment for it, and there is a mount in the kit.
If there is no such compartment, then you will have to get a special lock, which is installed in the slot for the hard drive. This form factor option is connected using a SATA 3 cable.
SSD M.2 is a completely different form factor, unlike the previous one. It is very similar to a RAM module. Therefore, it is not surprising that such a drive is connected to the motherboard. But this is the whole snag: if the motherboard does not have a corresponding connector, it will not work to install such a drive.
By the way, this option is even more suitable if you do not know which SSD-drive for a laptop is better to choose. Thanks to its compact size, the device can be installed in an ultrabook.
SSD 1.8 "is the rarest form factor. It will take a long time to find it, because they are sold in limited quantities. Nevertheless, it is ideal for laptops. Although here you will have to clarify the presence of the corresponding connector in the specifications for the PC.
Speed
Of course, when moving from the HDD, even the slowest SSD will seem like a flash for you. But for more demanding users, an important parameter is the speed of the SSD. Which drive is better in this case?
As you already know, speed largely depends on the type of memory. But a feature of the device is that it is based on a NAND flash. Therefore, the difference between this parameter of different models is small. At least for now.
So, if you are going to purchase a drive in order to just upload files there, then the easiest option is right for you. It will be easy to find, and its cost will be low relative to others.
If you want to put games or high-performance programs on SSDs, then you need the fastest model. Not every manufacturer indicates a speed parameter in the characteristics of the product. But you can look at the type of memory. If there is a TLC, then this is the most budget option. In the case of the V-type, the situation is the opposite.
Technologies
An equally important factor when choosing for some may be the availability of various kinds of technologies. For example, the TRIM function. It supports drive performance and increases shelf life.
There is also SMART technology. It can be useful to those who value self-monitoring, analysis and reporting of the device. Such a drive can independently find problems, work with errors and fix them. Technology can warn the user that the drive does not have long to live. That, in turn, can quickly save their data so as not to lose them.
Other factors when choosing
Many people want to know which SSD which company is better to choose. Of course, no one will advise you to choose the most budget option. Still, it is important for everyone to get the perfect balance of quality and price.
Now you can meet many manufacturers who are engaged in the release of SSD. Which is the best of them can be determined only by its former reputation. That is why Samsung remains popular, which, in addition to copying technologies already invented, were able to develop 3D-NAND memory, which is now considered ultra-fast.
Kingston, in principle, have been the "sharks" of this business for a long time. They are known for their quality products, to which there are no questions. Silicon Power also boasts good performance. The manufacturer also trusts them for their quality and budget value.
What else can you pay attention to? When the user does not know which is the best SSD for PC, he can also pay attention to the case materials. The peculiarity of the device is that, unlike a hard disk, there are no moving elements inside it. That is why it is practically not subject to physical damage (of course, if you do not hit it with a hammer).
But if you are set to absolute quality, then you need to know that drives can have a plastic or metal shell. Of course, the last option is the most reliable.
Most popular models
And now from theory to practice. Of course, it is difficult for a buyer to get by without a review and at least a cursory glance at the most popular SSD models. User reviews should not be overlooked, since only they often give a real picture of the quality of the device.
In 2018, many new models appeared. Therefore, while in 2019 nothing is heard about the new products, you have to be content with last year's options. Among them, the most worthy were:
- Samsung 850 EVO;
- Samsung 960 PRO;
- SanDisk Extreme Pro 480 GB;
- Kingston KC400 SSDNOW;
- WD Blue SSD 1TB;
- Kingston HyperX Savage 480 GB.
Among these models, you can definitely find the best option for both a home PC and a working / gaming one.
Samsung 850 EVO
Despite its eminent manufacturer, this option can rightfully be considered the best in terms of price and quality. If you want to purchase an option for 500 GB, it will cost you 10 thousand rubles. Among all the modifications of this model, you can find the answer to the question of which SSD is better to choose for a home computer. There are versions of 120 GB, which is the best option for simple systems.
Samsung 850 EVO Reviews
Users leave mostly positive reviews. The device turned out to be reliable and easy to connect. Despite the fact that it has a TLC memory type, it still surprises with its speed. Buyers also praised the technology, due to which the model can overtake its competitors.
Samsung 960 PRO
This version, unlike the previous one, received the form factor M.2. It is not as popular as universal models, since not all motherboards have the necessary slot. Nevertheless, the drive was able to become one of the best over the past year.
Samsung 960 PRO reviews
Users liked this option because it turned out to be one of the most productive. They noted the presence of technology from Samsung NAND, as well as high-speed memory type MLC. Only buyers spoke negatively about the cost. For the 500 GB version of M.2, you will have to pay 22 thousand rubles, but the same amount with a 2.5 "form factor will cost half the price.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 480 GB
This model has established itself as the most reliable. It offers the buyer a 10 year warranty and boasts excellent performance. A feature of this model was the presence of a combined type SLC / MLC.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 480 GB Reviews
Of course, the 480 GB version is not the most popular. Nevertheless, it turned out to be one of the most sought after by this manufacturer. Users noted the high speed of the device. At the same time, for 480 GB you need to pay only 13 thousand rubles, which in comparison with more expensive models seems like a complete trifle.
Kingston KC400 SSDNOW
The manufacturer knows which SSD is best for their users. Therefore, he managed to create a universal option that is suitable for any type of device. Due to its good speed, it can be purchased both for an entry-level gaming PC and for a home system.
Kingston KC400 SSDNOW Reviews
Users noted that the manufacturer took care of releasing drives from 120 GB to 1 TB. The 512 GB version can be purchased for only 10 thousand rubles. Customers are pleased with the presence of technology that extends the life of the device. The controller inside helps save the user from read and write errors.
WD Blue SSD 1TB
This is a good fast drive that will cost you 22 thousand rubles. Despite the fact that it works mainly on TLC cells, thanks to the presence of additional elements, the SLC maintains high speed.
WD Blue SSD 1TB Reviews
Now many are ready to give 15-20 thousand rubles for high-speed storage. Therefore, not everyone was negative about the high cost. In addition, they received as much as 1 TB of memory for that kind of money. Some noted that they were pleasantly surprised by the presence of different form factors.
Kingston HyperX Savage 480GB
Another product from Kingston, but already a series of HyperX. These devices are a priori designed for gaming systems. Therefore, if you do not know which SSD is better for a laptop gamer, then you can pay attention to this model. Everything will depend on whether the device has an appropriate slot.
Kingston HyperX Savage 480GB reviews
Users immediately noted a feature of this model - Savage technology, which is mentioned in the title. Thanks to her, a quad-core processor works inside. It is designed for eight data channels.
Notebook Versions
Separately, it is worth mentioning the universal SSD for laptops. Of course, all of the above models could also be installed in a laptop, but they are more popular among PC users.
If there is an mSATA connector inside your laptop, pay attention to the Kingston mS200. This is almost the only option that is suitable in a similar situation.
If you have access to the M.2 connector, then you can look towards the KC1000 and SSDNow M.2 SATA G2 from the same manufacturer. The first option shows excellent performance, and the second offers a simplified connection.
A pretty budget model is the Western Digital WD Green PC SSD. The 120 GB version will cost just 1,600 rubles. Samsung SSD M.2 2280 500GB from Samsung will cost you 6,500 rubles, but you will get a fairly capacious storage, which is enough for everyday use. By the way, this model is also great for working with a hard drive. Therefore, you can take its less voluminous version and connect to the system with the HDD.
findings
So, to get a good SSD, you don’t need to know much. Just look at the main parameters of the device and determine its purpose. If you want to use the drive for everyday office tasks, you just need to purchase the simplest version of 120 GB and connect it in a couple to the HDD. So you can speed up system performance and not lose your personal files.
If you are aiming to buy a more serious model, which can even become a replacement for a hard drive, then the main thing is to save more money so that you can purchase a volume drive.
If you don’t have the opportunity to purchase a capacious SSD, look at the combined devices. Some manufacturers produce HDD / SSD hybrids. Such options may satisfy the user who wants to build a medium-performance system.