Choosing the Right Hard Drive
As much as computer hardware continues to evolve to smaller, lighter and faster, hard drives remain to be an integral component of the system. There is a wide variety of hard disk drives available today and while this offers many options it can sometimes make the selection process a hard nut to crack. This is why we thought it wise to compile a few factors that will help you out the next time you are out shopping for the computer hardware.
Which type of data storage do you need?
It is important to establish data type as the choice you make has both advantages and downsides. Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) are storage devices that use spinning disks while Solid State Drives (SSD) uses flash memory for storing data. The latter are faster at writing and reading data, silent, and usually, have longer lifespans. They come at higher prices compared to HDDs but the choice is up to you. SSDs are ideal for external backup but if you are looking to save some cash choose HDDs which often cost less.
Physical size
You have a choice between 3.5inch and 2.5inch hard drives depending on your current setup. Data is stored on spinning disks on HDDs which means that you need more disks for higher capacity. This is the reason why desktop hard disk drives tend to be of the larger 3.5 inches with 4TB as its maximum capacity. SSDs, on the other hand, tend to be smaller with 2TB maximum capacity. The size ensures that they easily fit into the 2.5inch form and adapters are available if you need to use the SSD in a bigger connector.
Performance and Specs
For faster data transfer you need hardware with more RPM (revolutions per minute). A hard disk with larger cache is ideal for faster data transfer and you have a choice of 8-12 MB on modern day hard disk drives. For optimal performance, you need a disk whose data reading and writing speeds are within the SATA connector’s speed limit. The failure rate should also be put into consideration as mechanical parts are susceptible to wear and tear. Some HDDs barely make it to 6 months while others make it past six years making it important to conduct research before purchase.
Internal or External hard disk?
Finally, you must make a decision on whether to buy external or internal hard drives. External hard disks are often used for backup and storage while it is internal HDDs that have capability to run an operating system. Most people choose external drives as they are portable and it is possible to use them on multiple computers.
This information should come in handy when you need to buy the hardware. It will prevent losses that could arise from choosing the wrong drive. If you still have questions on selecting hardware or simply want to learn more, feel free to contact us via email or phone. We promise a prompt response that will go a long way in helping you own the right hardware for business or personal use.
LuminIT