In one sentence
In 2026, there is no good reason left to install Windows on a mechanical hard drive (HDD). The SSD is the norm: 5 to 10× faster, silent, more reliable. The HDD only survives for mass storage (photos, video, backups).
Detailed comparison
| Criterion | SSD | HDD |
|---|---|---|
| Windows boot time | 10 to 20 s | 60 to 180 s |
| Read / write | 500 to 7000 MB/s | 80 to 160 MB/s |
| Noise | Silent | Audible clicking |
| Shock / fall | No moving parts | Very fragile |
| Power use | 2 to 5 W | 6 to 10 W |
| Lifespan | 5 to 10 years (TBW) | 3 to 7 years (MTBF) |
| Price per TB | ~€ 70 to 120/TB | ~€ 25 to 40/TB |
The 3 SSD types
- SATA 2.5" — classic format, ~550 MB/s. Works on any PC since 2010.
- M.2 SATA — same speed, stick format, PCs since 2014.
- M.2 NVMe — 2000 to 7000 MB/s, recommended for PCs since 2018. Best 2026 choice.
When to keep an HDD
An HDD only makes sense in three cases:
- Secondary storage in a desktop already running SSD-on-system (photos, films, backups)
- Family NAS for massive backups (Synology, QNAP)
- Cold archives rarely accessed
For everything else, the SSD has won.
What does migrating cost?
In Cluses I offer a full HDD → SSD migration at your home:
- SSD 500 GB or 1 TB (Samsung, Crucial, Kingston): € 80 to 150
- Cloning and install: € 80 flat-rate service
- Your system intact: Windows boots in 10 s instead of 2-3 min
Total: € 160 to 230 for a PC that feels new. The operation takes 1 to 2 hours on site.
Which SSD brand?
My trusted brands after hundreds of installs:
- Samsung 990 Pro / 980 Pro — high-end NVMe reference
- Crucial P3 / MX500 — great value
- Kingston KC3000 / NV2 — reliable and affordable
- Western Digital SN770 — solid alternative
Avoid unknown low-cost brands on marketplaces: cheap flash wears out fast.
My take for 2026
If your PC is from 2014 or newer, switching to SSD is the most cost-effective upgrade you can make. It extends the machine's life by 3 to 5 years for under € 200.
Call +33 7 83 44 65 99 for a diagnosis and SSD quote in Cluses.