MakeUseof: Hard disk drive (HDD) is still a major element in modern computer architectures, and it is common to replace it with a new one or add a new one every few years.
However, there are too many options and I don't know which one is the best and should be bought.
Fortunately, choosing an HDD is not so difficult.There is a lot of possibility that the choice is wrong, but if you follow the guidelines we will talk about, will we fail to buy HDD?Please be assured that you do not need to worry about it.
The best thing to decide on data storage is whether a solid state drive (SSD) is needed.SSDs also have the same functions as conventional HDDs, but have unique advantages and weaknesses.
For those who do not know well, the conventional HDD turns around the metal disk to save the data, but the SSD uses a "flash memory".You can think of it as a huge USB memory.
So what are the differences between both sides?
The first difference is that SSD is faster to read and write data.Second, SSDs require less power, so energy can be saved and notebook PC batteries last longer.The third is that SSD has no movable parts, so it is quiet and has a long life.
The disadvantage of SSD is that it is more expensive than HDD and has a smaller data capacity.
In conclusion, if you are worried about the amount, choose a conventional HDD.If you want a backup or an external drive, select an HDD.If you want an OS drive or have files or programs that access frequently, use SSD.
Once you have decided whether to buy an HDD or an SSD, the next step is to choose a form factor such as shape and size.Thankfully, there are only two options.Moreover, the most suitable thing is determined by the current setting status.Please be assured that you can easily make a decision here.
For the data drive, "3.5 inch drive "and" 2.There are two types of 5 inch drive.
For conventional HDDs, the data is stored on a spinning metal disk.This means that if you want to increase the data capacity, you have to add a disk.Therefore, the desktop HDD has a maximum capacity of 4TB..5 inch drive, 2TB of maximum capacity 2TB for laptop HDD.In many cases, a 5 -inch drive is installed.
On the other hand, SSDs can be miniaturized because no movable parts are required.So most SSDs are 2.It fits in a 5 -inch form factor.If SSD 3.If you have to connect to a 5 -inch connector, use an adapter.
Speaking of connectors, Most of the latest computer drives have a SATA connector, whether HDD or SSD.The relatively old HDD manufactured before SATA is a standard standard has a IDE connector.In this case, if you buy an external drive, you must connect with a USB port.
Once you know what drive you should buy, then choose the best one for your needs.The points to consider are as follows.
記憶容量：HDDはさまざまな容量のものが出回っていますが、物理的制限があるので、ドライブ1つにつき4TBが最大です。一方のSSDは容量がはるかに少なく、いまだに最大容量は1TBを下回っています。それに、容量が512GBを超える一般消費者向けSSDはほとんどありません。転送速度：一般消費者向けHDDの性能は多くの要素で決まりますが、中でも重要なのはRPM（ディスクが1分間に回転する速度）です。RPM値が高ければ、ドライブとのデータのやり取りが速くなります。You don't have to worry about the SATA speed of the drive.For example, the data transfer speed of the new drive is "serial ATA (3).Suppose it was 0GB / s) and rotation speed (7200rpm).3.There is absolutely no HDD that can transfer data at a speed of 0GB / s, but a 7200RPM drive is definitely better than a 5400rpm drive.
キャッシュ容量：ハードディスク内でデータを転送しなければならない時は、一時的にデータを保持するために「キャッシュ」または「バッファ」と呼ばれる内蔵メモリが使われます。If the cache capacity is large, the data transfer will be faster (because the amount of information that can be retained at one time increases).The latest HDD has a cash capacity of 8-128MB.
アクセス速度：従来型のHDDには、性能を左右する要素がほかにもいくつかあります。ドライブにあるデータの読み込みと書き込みの準備にかかる時間もその1つです。Certainly, if there are two disks with a rotation speed of 7200 rpm, there may be differences in performance.One may take some time to read and write.However, there is no standard way to compare access speeds, and recently there is no big difference in the performance level of most HDDs, so you don't have to worry too much about access speeds.
In SSD, pay attention to the "sequential access speed" (which is also called reading and writing speed), which refers to the speed of reading and writing data in order from the top.The speed is often within the maximum transfer speed of the SATA connector, so there should be no problem.
故障率：HDDは機械なので、時間と共に消耗するのは当然です。そうは言っても、すべてのHDDが等しく作られているわけではありません。モデルによっては、6カ月も経たずに故障してしまうものもあれば、平均で6年以上も長持ちするものもあります。購入の際に、モデル別の傾向を事前に調べておいてください。Overall, the latest SSD (average life expectancy 2 million hours) seems to last longer than the latest HDD (average life expectancy 1.5 million hours).However, if you save it for a long time, HDD will be much more reliable than SSD.
If you are worried about HDD failure, why not set a "RAID system" that saves data to multiple HDDs?In this case, data will be protected even if you are suddenly attacked by unexpected situations.
If you refer to the above items, at first glance, the HDD with a large difference in price may be lined up as an option.It is up to you to determine the most related items related to your needs and select the hard drive that applies to the characteristics of that item most.In order to determine the cost performance, let's calculate the amount per gigabytes by dividing the drive price by capacity.
For example, "WD Black 1TB HDD" (price 8563 yen. Approximately 8 perGB.36 yen) is an all -round drive for general consumers."WD BLACK 2TB HDD" with a large capacity (price 16,800 yen. Approximately 8 perGB.When it comes to 20 yen), the price is almost double.Increase the capacity to "WD Black 4TB HDD" (price 25,025 yen. Approximately 6 perGB.It is quite expensive when it reaches 11 yen).It is a painful expense, but 4TB is the best cost performance.
SSD is the same."CRUCIAL MX100 128GB SSD" (price 9110 yen. 71 perGB.If it is 17 yen), it seems that you can get your hands."CRUCIAL MX100 256GB SSD" (price 13,998 yen. 1GB 54.68 yen), the capacity is twice and the price is less than 2 times."CRUCIAL MX100 512GB SSD" (price 25,728 yen. 50 perGB.When it comes to 25 yen, the price is the price of trembling the hand holding a wallet, but it is the best bargain product.
As you can see, HDD is much higher than SSD.However, the price rise due to the increase in capacity tends to be similar.
The other thing to consider at the end is whether to built a built -in HDD or use it as an external.It's not difficult to decide, but first look at each advantage and weaknesses.
External drive is ideal for saving and backing up data.USB2 with a maximum transfer speed of 480MB/sec.It is common to connect with a 0 cable, but for the latest model, the maximum transfer speed is 5..0GB/second USB3.You may be supporting 0.The latter is fine, but otherwise, the speed may be too slow to use as an OS drive.
Instead, the external drive has the advantage of being able to carry, and can be easily shared on multiple PCs.Just pull out the USB and insert it into another PC.If you connect to a TV or media center, you can play videos as they are.
If you don't have to carry it because you don't have to carry it, or if you have a shortage of work data (for example, an old internal drive is upset and needs to be replaced), use a built -in type.
In fact, if the connector is the same, there is no difference between the external type and the built -in type.The external type is simply in a protective casing.Even if you purchase an external drive, you can remove the drive from the casing and built it.
＊That's all for the knowledge you need to buy a new HDD.After purchasing, treat it properly to make it last longer.
5 Things You Needer Before BUYING A HARD DRIVE ｜ Makeuseof
Mihir Patkar (Original / Translation: Yasuko Endo, Toshio Yoshitake / Galileo)
Photo by Shutterstock.
