How to Test the Speed of an SSD or Hard Drive on Windows


When you buy a new hard drive (HDD) or SSD, it’s important to test its speed to ensure you’re getting the performance you expect. Speed tests can also help you identify any potential issues with your hard drive or SSD. Several specialized software programs are available to measure the read/write speeds of your hard drive or SSD. In this article, we’ll explain how to test the speed of an SSD or hard drive on Windows using three different programs. Follow the guide!


Why Testing Your Hard Drive or SSD’s Speed Is Important


The speed of your hard drive or SSD can significantly impact your computer’s performance. You may experience slowdowns when running programs or opening files if your drive is slow. If you use your computer for resource-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, your storage speed can make a big difference.
By testing your hard drive’s or SSD’s speed, you can determine if it’s time to replace or upgrade it. This can also help you avoid performance issues and improve your computer’s efficiency.
How to Test the Speed of Your Hard Drive or SSD on Windows
There are several methods for testing the speed of your hard drive or SSD on Windows. The most common methods are:

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Method #1: Use the CrystalDiskMark diagnostic tool


One of the most common ways to test the read/write speed of an SSD or hard drive on Windows is to use the CrystalDiskMark diagnostic tool. This tool is free and easy to use. To use CrystalDiskMark, follow the steps below:

  • Download CrystalDiskMark from the official website.
  • Install the tool on your computer.
  • Open CrystalDiskMark.
  • Select the hard drive or SSD you want to test from the drop-down menu.
  • Click the “All” button to run all tests, or select the tests you want to run.
  • Click “Start” to begin the test.

The test will take a few minutes, depending on your drive’s speed. Once the test is complete, the results will be displayed in the CrystalDiskMark window.

CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark


Method #2: Use the AS SSD Benchmark diagnostic tool

“AS SSD Benchmark is another popular diagnostic tool for testing your hard drive’s read/write speed or SSD.

  • Download AS SSD Benchmark.
  • Unzip the ZIP archive wherever you want, then run the AS SSD Benchmark.exe file.
  • Select the hard drive or SSD you want to test.
  • Click the “Start” button to begin the test.

View the live test results.

AS SSD Benchmark
AS SSD Benchmark


Method #3: Use ATTO Disk Benchmark


ATTO Disk Benchmark is another free software that allows you to test the speed of your hard drive or SSD on Windows. Here’s how to use it:

  • Download and install ATTO Disk Benchmark on your computer.
  • Select the hard drive or SSD you want to test from the “Drive” dropdown menu.
  • Configure the test settings according to your needs. You can set the file size to use for the test, the queue depth, and the chunk size.
  • Click the “Start” button to start the test.
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Wait for the test to complete and view the test results displayed graphically.

ATTO Disk Benchmark 1
ATTO Disk Benchmark 1

Interpreting the results


Once you’ve finished testing the speed of your hard drive or SSD, you’ll have a series of numbers that may seem confusing. Here are some explanations to help you understand the results:

  • Sequential read speed: This is the speed at which the drive can read large files in sequence.
  • Sequential write speed: This is the speed at which the drive can write large files in sequence.
  • Read IOPS: This is the number of random read operations the drive can perform in one second.
  • Write IOPS: This is the number of random write operations the drive can perform in one second.

Of course, higher numbers are better.


The benefits of testing the speed of your hard drive or SSD


Testing the speed of your hard drive or SSD can help you in several ways, including:

  • Letting you know if your hard drive or SSD is slowing down.
  • Helping you determine if you need to replace your hard drive or SSD.
  • Allowing you to compare the speed of different hard drives or SSDs.


Understanding the differences between SSDs and hard drives


Understanding the differences between SSDs and hard drives is crucial to understanding why reading and writing speeds vary significantly. Hard drives are composed of rotating platters on which data is stored. A read/write arm moves across the platters to read and write data. As a result, hard drives are slower than SSDs due to the mechanical nature of their storage technology.

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On the other hand, SSDs store data on flash memory chips. SSDs are faster than hard drives due to the speed of read and write operations on flash memory chips. SSDs are also more reliable and shock-resistant than hard drives because they have no moving parts.


Finally, note that read and write speeds for SSDs and hard drives can vary based on several factors, including hardware quality, disk size, rotational speed for hard drives, and flash memory technology for SSDs. By understanding the differences between the two technologies, you can better choose the type of storage device that meets your needs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, testing the speed of your hard drive or SSD is an important step to ensure that you are getting the performance you expect and to identify any potential problems with your storage device. Speed tests can also help you compare different hard drives or SSDs and determine if you need to replace your storage device. The tools presented in this article, such as CrystalDiskMark and AS SSD Benchmark, are simple and effective ways to test your hard drive’s or SSD’s speed. So, don’t hesitate to give them a try! And if you have other tools to recommend, the comments are open.

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Mohamed SAKHRI

I am Mohamed SAKHRI, the creator and editor-in-chief of Tech To Geek, where I've demonstrated my passion for technology through extensive blogging. My expertise spans various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, with a focus on providing practical and valuable guides. Additionally, I delve into WordPress-related subjects. You can find more about me on my Linkedin!, Twitter!, Reddit Facebook

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