SSD (372 products)

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What is SSD?

SSD stands for solid state drive, and it's a different way of storing data on a hard drive. A solid state drive is made of connected flash memory chips that store your data.

What's the difference between SSD and HDD?

The two main kinds of hard drive are SSD and HDD. There are two basic differences between the two types of drive: how they are made and how they store data. A HDD, or hard disk drive, stores your data on a drive that's then accessed by a moving read/write head when the HDD has power. Those moving parts are how an HDD stores and accesses its data, whereas an SSD hard drive uses flash memory so it can store and access data much faster. Unlike an HDD, a SSD hard drive has no moving parts which means there is less chance of breakage. If a HDD's spinning drives break, you might struggle to get your data back. That also means you need to be careful with a HDD, which can be damaged by jostling - but an SSD can handle knocks and shocks, which makes them perfect for use in laptops.

What are the benefits of SSDs?

SSD drives are also much more efficient because the lack of moving parts means they need less power to work which, in turn, means a longer lasting battery in your laptop. An SSD's flash memory also keeps the data even when there's no power flowing through the SSD, for greater data security. SSD hard drives are also smaller, because they don't need moving parts, which means that PCs can be designed with more customisation - plus that means quieter (or even silent) operation. SSDs are becoming the standard option in most modern laptops and desktop PCs, especially with the rise of M.2 SSDs which are even smaller than a standard SSD, and can be mounted directly into a motherboard or used in internally mounted storage expansion cards.

Should I choose SSD or HDD?

SSD hard drives are definitely becoming the industry standard. For the time being, HDD drives are a little cheaper, and can sometimes offer greater cost per capacity, with larger storage spaces available. But as SSD drives become more and more prevalent, those price differences are rapidly becoming a non-issue. If you're debating SSD or HDD, the SSD does seem to win out on most of the comparisons - an SSD is faster, uses less power, and doesn't pose the risk of breaking down if an internal part stops moving.

Choosing a SSD hard drive

If you need more speed from your PC, or want to access lots of large files quickly, then a SSD drive will be ideal for you. Solid State Drives are available from a large number of manufacturers including big names such as Samsung, Kingston and Sandisk. They come in a wide range of specifications with different capacities, interfaces and form factors. Plenty of the SSD drives available from Ebuyer also boast multi-year warranties, so you have peace of mind knowing you've chosen the smart option for your laptop or PC. Many SSDs come in a 2.5 inch form factor which is ideal for laptops. For a desktop PC you will need a bay adapter though some other form factors are now available. Capacity wise there is a wide variety available though 256gb drive is a popular option.

What is the best SSD hard drive?

There's no real definitive answer on the best SSD hard drive, because it depends entirely on what you need an SSD drive for. However, Samsung have an impressive range of high-performance SSD drives that are easy to install and offer a great experience.

Can I put an SSD in a PlayStation 5?

Firmware updates to the PlayStation 5 have made it possible to install an SSD in a PS5 - only M.2 SSDs are compatible, and only ones that meet Sony's specifications. Make sure you do your homework to find the right SSD for your PS5, and look into installing a heat sink at the same time. Not sure where to start? Not to worry - we've done the hard work for you. Browse our selection of PS5 compatible SSDs and take your PS5 storage to the next level.

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