Storage is used in computers to store data and information inside the computer with a physically attached device generally called storage hardware. It is applicable for both a typical computer device and a hosting server. Hence, a storage system is very important for a computer or server to keep records of essential data or media for future use.
Since the revolution of the computer, many storage systems have been developed and upgraded to modern technology for better performance, better security, and better speed. Nowadays, widely discussed computer storage systems are SSD (Solid State Drive) and NVMe (non-volatile memory express). Our today’s topic is to discuss the difference between two storage systems (SSD vs NVMe) and which you should use in your computer and web hosting server.
SSD vs NVMe
SSD and NVMe are both storage system that uses modern technology for storing data in the storage device. But still, the approach to storing and recording data is different. The main difference between the two storage systems is, SSDs use the physical integrated circuits directly to read and write data. On the other hand, NVMe is an advanced software program that makes an interface on the top of integrated circuits, which are used to read and write data at a very high speed even rather than SSD.
Let’s elaborate the two storage system.
What is SSD?
SSD (Solid State Drive or Solid State Disk) is a modern computer storage system that was introduced in 1991 by SanDisk. SSDs are relatively very fast for reading and writing data and their capacity can be up to 50-100TB. When SSDs were introduced they could store 20MB of data. Gradually the technology and its capacity improved. SSDs are physically attached to a computer device to work.
SSD devices use flash memory to record data. Hence, it has no spinning material to access and record data therefore their access time is very fast compared to old fashion HDD storage devices. Because of its flash-type memory, SSD doesn’t lose any data on sudden power interruption.
What is NVMe?
NVMe (non-volatile memory express) is an updated modern computer storage system introduced in 2011 by NVM express. NVMe storage devices are comparatively nearly 25 times faster than SSDs. The concept of non-volatile memory emerged in 2007 at the Intel developer forum. Later on, more than 90 companies participated to make the specifications of the NVMe storage system.
NVMe devices come from the 2.5-inch card that is smaller in size than SSD and its latency is very low. Because, unlike SSDs, NVMe devices can process multiple quires and commands at a time. And that’s why NVMe can fetch the results very quickly with minimum latency.
SSD or NVMe - Which you Should Choose?
Both SSD and NVMe has their advantage and disadvantage. If you need ultimate performance for accessing your data at up to 3GB per second then NVMe is suitable for you in this case. However, NVMe also has some drawbacks like it is a more expensive and more power-consuming device compared to SSD. But NVMe is the best one if you want to deliver www-data through a web server, then NVMe comes at first.
Solid State Drive (SSDs) on the other hand SSD is much slower compared to NVMe but offers you lower prices and it’s widely compatible. It is also power efficient while it can run on a very low power supply.
Last but not least, if you think about choosing your hosting server’s storage system between SSD and NVMe. Then you should go for NVMe. Below see some highlighted points for choosing your hosting server storage system as NVMe.
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High availability
Your server hits multiple concurrent users at a time, NVMe can run multiple queries and commands at a time, which dramatically reduces the latency and therefore page and resources load time.
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High speed access
As NVMe is 25 faster than SSD, then using NVMe on your hosting service ensures faster page load.
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Better Encryption
NVMe also ensures advanced data encryption techniques that protect your data from the wrong hand.