How to tell if your computer has a solid state drive
In today's digital era, solid-state drives (SSDs) have become the storage device of choice for many computer users due to their high-speed read and write performance and stability. But how to quickly determine whether your computer is equipped with an SSD? This article will provide multiple methods and help you easily identify them through structured data.
1. View through system information

Both Windows and macOS systems have built-in hardware information tools that can directly check the storage device type:
| operating system | Operation steps | key identification points |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | 1. Right-click "This PC" → "Manage" 2. Enter "Device Manager" → "Disk Drive" | SSDs are usually marked with "SSD" or the brand model includes "Solid State" |
| macOS | 1. Click the Apple icon → "About This Mac" 2. Select "System Report" → "Storage" | The media type appears as "Solid State Drive" or "Flash Storage" |
2. Detection through third-party tools
Professional hardware detection tools can provide more detailed information:
| Tool name | Detection method | SSD features |
|---|---|---|
| CrystalDiskInfo | Run directly after installation | The rotation rate is displayed as "SSD" or "Non-rotating" |
| Speccy | View the "Storage" tab | The hard disk type is clearly marked "Solid State" |
| HWMonitor | Check storage device temperature | SSDs are generally cooler than mechanical hard drives |
3. Physical disassembly and inspection (applicable to desktop computers)
If the machine is allowed to be disassembled, it can be judged through visual observation:
| Features | Mechanical hard disk (HDD) | Solid State Drive (SSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Metal shell is thicker | Plastic/metal casing is thinner and lighter |
| interface | SATA or IDE interface | SATA/M.2/NVMe interface |
| working status | There will be slight vibration during operation | Completely silent and vibration-free |
4. Performance testing method
Actual performance can also assist in judging:
| test items | Mechanical hard disk (HDD) | Solid State Drive (SSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Boot time | Usually >30 seconds | Usually <15 seconds |
| file transfer speed | 50-150MB/s | 300MB/s or more |
| Program startup speed | There is a significant delay | Almost instantaneous response |
5. Recent trends in popular storage technologies
According to the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days, there are the following new trends in the storage field:
| hot topics | Summary of contents | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe 5.0 SSD launched | Reading speed exceeds 12GB/s | TechPowerUp 2023-07-15 |
| QLC flash technology | Capacity increased but lifespan questioned | AnandTech 2023-07-18 |
| The rise of domestic SSD | Yangtze River storage market share reaches 7% | Digitimes 2023-07-20 |
Summary suggestions:
1. Prioritize using the system’s own tools for detection without installing third-party software.
2. If you need to upgrade SSD, it is recommended to pay attention to PCIe 4.0/5.0 interface products
3. It is recommended to use SSD+HDD hybrid storage solution for important data
4. Please check the brand reputation and TBW (Total Write Volume) parameters before purchasing.
Through the combined verification of the above methods, you can accurately determine whether the computer is equipped with a solid-state drive and provide a reference for subsequent storage upgrades.
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