Storage Speed Comparison Tool

Compare HDD, SATA SSD, and NVMe performance in real-world scenarios

Wondering whether to upgrade from an HDD to an SSD, or from a SATA SSD to NVMe? Use our comparison tool to see the actual performance differences for everyday tasks like booting Windows, loading games, and transferring files.

Compare Storage Types

First Drive:
Second Drive:

File Transfer Test

File Size:

Quick Guide: How to Use This Tool

Comparing storage speeds is simple:

  1. Select Your Current Drive
    Choose what you have now or want to compare first (HDD, SATA SSD, or NVMe).

  2. Pick a Comparison Drive
    Select what you're considering upgrading to or want to compare against.

  3. Choose File Size
    Pick a file size that matches your typical use case to see realistic transfer times.

  4. View Results
    See side-by-side speed comparisons for boot times, game loading, file transfers, and more.

Understanding Storage Types

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

Traditional mechanical drives with spinning platters. They're the slowest option but offer the most storage capacity per dollar. Best for bulk storage of files you don't access frequently.

  • Speed: 80-160 MB/s
  • Best For: Mass storage, backups, media libraries
  • Pros: Cheapest per GB, high capacity options
  • Cons: Slow, mechanical parts can fail, noise and heat

SATA SSD (Solid State Drive)

Flash-based storage connected via SATA interface. Dramatically faster than HDDs with no moving parts. Perfect for most users as a primary boot drive.

  • Speed: 200-550 MB/s
  • Best For: Operating system, programs, frequently used games
  • Pros: Much faster than HDD, reliable, affordable
  • Cons: Limited by SATA interface speed

NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express)

The fastest consumer storage option, connecting directly to the motherboard via PCIe. Multiple generations available, with each offering better performance.

  • Gen 3 Speed: 1,500-3,500 MB/s
  • Gen 4 Speed: 3,000-7,000 MB/s
  • Gen 5 Speed: 9,000-14,000 MB/s
  • Best For: Gaming with DirectStorage, video editing, 3D work
  • Pros: Extremely fast, especially Gen 4 and Gen 5
  • Cons: More expensive, Gen 5 requires latest hardware

When Should You Upgrade?

From HDD to SATA SSD: This is the single biggest upgrade you can make. You'll see 3-5x faster speeds and dramatically improved system responsiveness. Highly recommended for anyone still using an HDD as their primary drive.

From SATA SSD to NVMe: Most users won't notice much difference in everyday tasks like web browsing or office work. However, if you work with large files, edit video, play games with DirectStorage support, or regularly move hundreds of gigabytes of data, NVMe is worth the upgrade.

From NVMe Gen 3 to Gen 4/5: Only recommended if you have specific workloads that benefit from maximum sequential speeds, such as professional video editing in 4K/8K, or if you're building a new system and the price difference is minimal.

Performance Factors to Consider

  • Sequential vs Random Access
    Sequential speed matters for large file transfers. Random access speed affects day-to-day responsiveness and is where SSDs shine brightest.

  • DRAM Cache
    SSDs with DRAM cache maintain better performance under heavy workloads. Budget DRAMless SSDs can slow down during large file operations.

  • Interface Requirements
    NVMe drives require an M.2 slot on your motherboard. Check compatibility before purchasing.

  • Endurance Ratings
    Check the TBW (Terabytes Written) rating to ensure the drive will last for your intended usage pattern.