When it comes to selecting the perfect components for your dream gaming PC, it can seem a little daunting. Especially when you have to consider the size of your hardware, not just the type of hardware you need.
But fear not – that’s where our team of PC experts at Overclockers UK comes in! We’ve compiled this handy guide showing you everything you need to know about SSD & HDD form factors.
Solid State Drive (SSD):
What is a Solid State Drive?
A Solid State Drive (SSD) utilise integrated memory chips to store and access all of your data. SSDs utilise intelligent NAND technology, a non-volatile flash storage method that doesn’t require any power to access or store your files.
SSDs are available in a multitude of different form factors. These include:
- SATA
- mSATA
- M.2
- PCIe
SATA:
SATA SSDs typically measure 2.5’’ inches and utilise the SATA connector on your motherboard. SATA SSDs feature the intelligent NAND technology and are ideal for those who want to upgrade desktop or laptop storage.
Crucial BX500 2TB SSD 2.5″ SATA 6Gbps Solid State Drive
HD-07K-CR
£229.99
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKETmSATA:
mSATA offers the same level of performance as a SATA SSD but has a smaller form factor. mSATA SSDs need a compatible motherboard with a mSATA connector and ideal for those looking to upgrade their laptop storage capacity and power.
M.2:
M.2 SSD drives require the compatible M.2 slot on your motherboard and offer the same ultra-fast speeds and NAND technology. M.2 SSDs will feature either a 2280 / 2242 marker, which stands for the width and length of the M.2. You will need to ensure your motherboard’s M.2 is compatible with the size of the M.2, which you can find either in the motherboard manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
To get the best performance from the M.2 SSD, it’s recommended that you install via the PCIe interface to gain read and write times of an average 3000MB/s and 2400MB/s.
Kingston NV3 1TB PCI-e 4.0 NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive (SNV3S/1000G)
STO-KNG-02942
£159.95 £ 139.99
-12.48%(incl. VAT)
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Team Group MP33 PRO 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive
STO-TMG-02681
£149.99 £ 129.95
-13.36%(incl. VAT)
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Want a closer look at M.2 SSDs? Check out our dedicated blog guide.
PCIe:
Similar to that of M.2 SSDs, PCIe Solid State Drives utilise your motherboard PCIe slot. PCIe SSDs can offer you a greater increase in performance compared to SATA SSDs and therefore are best suited to those looking to creative a powerful workstation or PC used for content creation and streaming.
Hard Drive (HDD):
What is a Hard Drive (HDD):
Hard Drives (HDD) are a non-volatile memory storage and include integrated rotating magnetic parts to access and store all your data. HDDs feature a variety of different capacities and read/write speeds.
Hard Drives typically have a higher storage capacity than SSDs and come in two different sizes.
- 2.5’’
- 3.5’’
2.5’’
2.5’’ HDDs feature all the benefits of a standard hard drive, such as the large storage capacity, but with a smaller form factor and require less power. They can be found in laptops and some popular games consoles, including the PlayStation 4 and XBOX One. Perfect for small form factor PCs.
Seagate 2TB Barracuda HDD 5400RPM 2.5″ Internal Hard Drive – PC And PS4 (ST2000LM015)
HD-37A-SE
£139.99
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
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ADD TO BASKET3.5’’
3.5’’ is the most common form of HDD and have higher storage capacities than 2.5’’ hard drives and SSDs. To effectively handle the increase in capacity, 3.5’’ drives have more rotating magnetic disks inside, and a notably faster performance.
Seagate 1TB BarraCuda HDD 7200rpm 256MB Cache Internal Hard Drive (ST1000DM014)
STO-SEA-01807
£129.95
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
Pre order
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Building your own gaming PC can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together the Overclockers UK Ultimate PC Building Guide.
Form Factors Explained
If you want more information on different hardware form factors, you can check out more articles in our dedicated ‘Form Factor Explained series’.
Which Form Factor Do You Use?
Whether you have an SSD or HDD, let us know which form factor you use and why in the comments.
- 4 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over four years and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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