What is an SSD and What Does it Do?

As a business owner, you’ve likely got lots of important information on your computer. While you can upload many types of information to some sort of cloud storage, that information still needs a fast and reliable place to be stored on your computer, too.

An SSD is a great way to go when it comes to storing your valuable data.

Let’s break down what an SSD is and the best SSD types for your business’s computer system.

What is an SSD?

The acronym SSD stands for “solid-state drive.” Solid-state drives are circuit boards with a bunch of tiny memory chips. This little disk is more than what meets the eye. It is a faster memory drive that is used to replace a standard hard drive.

The physical size of an SSD is less than 3 inches across, but its large storage capacity is what speeds up a computer’s operation.

If you’re building your own computer or tweaking one that you’ve purchased, you can use an SSD to enhance the function of your computer. You will use this hardware to quicken the rate that your computer processes data.

What Does an SSD Do?

An SSD uses flash memory to store your important data. Unlike a hard disk drive (HDD), it doesn’t have moving parts that are prone to breaking. That’s why SSDs are now the go-to for business desktop and laptop PCs everywhere. SSDs offer a range of cost-effective benefits.

SSD vs. HDD

The biggest differences when it comes to SSD vs. HDD is longevity, productivity, and affordability.

The average SSD executes processes much faster than the average HDD, but this speed does not come without an added cost. Even though it is difficult to pinpoint an exact capacity to dollar ratio for either an HDD or SSD, HDDs are typically much cheaper than SSDs.

SSDs are designed to use much less energy than HDDs. This helps to prevent excessive heat generation or the overheating of your computer.

Solid-state drives last much longer than hard disk drives because of their different energy consumptions. You’ll most likely have to replace your SSD because it’s outdated before you’d have to replace it because it’s been worn out. An HDD will likely wear out before its outdated.

SSD vs. HDD Speed

There is no question that solid-state drives blow their opponent out of the water in an SSD vs. HDD speed competition. Solid-state drives are between three and five times speedier than hard disk drives, but hard disk drives are around 1/7 of the price of a solid-state drive.

If you are looking for speed and you have the budget, an SSD is the way to go. If you need something that is just going to get the job done and you’re not looking to spend much, grab an HDD.

Benefits of Using an SSD for Your Computer

Compared to an HDD, SSDs are much faster, efficient, and durable. Here are the main benefits of using an SSD for your business computer(s):

• Increased durability of your memory drive
• Flexible storage, as they are available in multiple forms
• Easy to install
• Increased speed with the ability to manage multiple tasks at once
• Less fan noise
• Lower temperature when in use
• Much faster than an HDD

Ready to use an SSD? Here’s how to choose the right option for you.

Best SSDs on the Market

Many business owners choose an SSD type based on their budget and their intended use, so it is difficult to draw a conclusion on the best type of memory to choose.

If budget is not an issue and you’re looking for the fastest and best SSD on the market, you’re going to want to choose an SLC. This will produce the most precise data reading at the fastest rate.

Since most people are budget conscious, MLCs are a popular choice. This offers a happy medium for speed and storage at a reasonable price.

Find a list of the best SSD options for 2019.

What is a “NAND”?

A Negative-AND, which is most commonly known as NAND or NAND gate, is a circuit that reads binary code. Its claim to fame is that it does not require power to store data. Many computers have between five and ten NAND gates that hold SSDs and HDDs.

Having multiple NANDs allows you to incorporate a mix of SSDs and HDDs on your motherboard. This way, you can decide which operations you’d like to run the fastest and which you don’t mind running at an average pace. The ability to vary your memory types gives you a bit more control over the price.

How to Choose the Best Type of Memory

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right type of memory for your processing unit. If you are building a computer from scratch, you’re going to want to identify which programs on your computer are the most important to you.

As the owner of a restaurant or store, you’re going to want to make sure your point of sale system is running on the fastest drive so that you can best serve your clients. You should spend the extra money to run this type of system on an SSD.

As for the systems you use to create schedules, allow employees to clock in and record hours, an HDD should be just fine. You don’t necessarily need a lightning fast system for these processes so it’s not worth the investment.

Ultimately, you should choose the type of memory that best fits your needs and budget.