SSDs also known as Solid State Drives have truly entrenched a paradigm shift in console gaming. When they were first introduced into the market, they were very expensive and reserved for high-end computers and laptops. However, technology has reduced the cost per storage quantum such that is it now affordable for just about everyone. When compared to conventional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), they are lighter, consumes less power and above all significantly faster. Unlike the HDD, the SSD have no moving parts and are designed using arrays of semiconductor memories to form a disk drive, via the IC (Integrated Circuit) technology.
Mix of features
The mix of features offered by the SSD culminates into a richer gaming experience. With blazing-fast read and write speeds, loading of games and features are tremendously better. Every gamer would appreciate an instantaneous loading of gaming options, as opposed to the much slower response from HDD. As much as SSD are great, it may be worthy to note that they are not a solution for poor processing capability. If the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is slower than required, SSD may not just be the solution, but rather an upgrade of the CPU or the console. There are varieties of SSD offerings in the market today. In choosing the best one, we would need to consider the following features:
Storage Capacity
Depending on the use to which it will be put, SDDs come in sizes between hundreds of gigabytes (GB) and a couple of terabytes (TB). Just as we have it with HDDs, the higher the storage capacities of SSDs, higher the cost. So you would want to strike a balance between the cost and the appropriate storage required for your console.
Speed
The average (read/write) sequential access speed for SDD is about 500 MB/s. For a guaranteed gaming experience, sequential read and write speeds of 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s would be adequate. So in choosing your SSD, be mindful of access speed below this limits.
Shock and Vibration Resistance / Warranty
You may also want to check the shock tolerance of the SSD. The very good ones will offer warranty cover for the product as much as 10 years with 24/7 technical support.
Encryption
Perhaps encryption may be a feature you are interested in, some SDDs do offer encryption capability. So be sure to consider this before settling for a brand. The cost of an SSD is significantly determined by the blend of the above-mentioned features it has SSDs can cost as low as $40 and much as $150 for high-end brands. The use to which it will be put, and your budget should guide your choice.…