Is SSD Good for a Database Server?

Database performance can make or break your business.Database performance can make or break your business. SSDs¹⁵¹ promise speed, but are they the smart choice for a database server?

SSDs are excellent for database servers because they boost read/write speed, decrease latency, and improve overall IOPS. Most modern databases benefit from SSDs, especially for demanding workloads where fast access is essential.

When I first upgraded a client’s database storage from HDD to SSD, we saw overnight improvements. Queries ran faster and backups finished early. But you may wonder: why do some large data centers still prefer hard drives? Let’s dig into the reasons.

Why don’t data centers use SSD?

High-capacity data centers juggle costs, reliability, and scale. Some hesitate with SSDs—even when speed is tempting.

Data centers often use
HDDs for cold storage
[1]
and archival tasks because HDDs offer lower cost per terabyte and longer proven lifespan for mostly-read or seldom-used data. Data centers often use HDDs for cold storage¹⁵¹ and archival tasks because HDDs offer lower cost per terabyte and longer proven lifespan for mostly-read or seldom-used data. SSDs cost more, wear out faster under heavy write workloads, and may have limited capacities compared to HDDs.

During one project, I was asked why I didn’t recommend SSDs for every database. Cost played a huge role. High-end enterprise SSDs are expensive compared to large HDD arrays. Some also worry about durability—consumer SSDs can fail after heavy, nonstop use. Enterprise SSDs handle this better, but pricing makes HDDs attractive for many archive-like scenarios.

The table below breaks down their pros and cons:

Large data centers select SSDs for tier-1 storage or high-performance workloads but stick to HDDs for massive archives. You want to match the drive’s strength to your usage pattern.

Do databases use SSD or HDD?

The answer depends on speed and reliability needs. Most production databases today rely on SSDs for their main data storage, but HDDs persist for backups or historical archives.

Databases needing frequent reads/writes or high transaction rates use SSDs. Large, slower data stores or where cost per gigabyte is key, use HDDs. Databases needing frequent reads/writes¹⁵¹ or high transaction rates use SSDs. Large, slower data stores or where cost per gigabyte is key, use HDDs. Hybrid setups combine SSDs for “hot” tables and HDDs for bulk older data.

I helped migrate one legacy ERP database to SSDs last year. The business kept critical tables on SSD for instant access. They rolled old records to HDDs each month for long-term archiving. With this hybrid, they controlled budget and achieved performance on key workloads.

Here’s a breakdown for typical database decisions:

Use SSDs for transactional speed, HDDs for big history, and hybrids for best cost/performance. I always suggest testing your actual load before finalizing the setup.

Is it worth putting SSD in a NAS?

If you want fast file access on your NAS, SSDs deliver. But, not every NAS workload needs SSD performance.

Putting SSDs in a NAS is worthwhile for heavy users, virtualization, or database storage, where Putting SSDs in a NAS is worthwhile for heavy users, virtualization, or database storage¹⁵¹, where high IOPS and read/write speeds improve user experience. For basic file backup or media storage, HDDs usually do the job and cost less for bulk space.

Last year, I replaced my office NAS drives with SSDs for a design project. We had frequent large file transfers and real-time collaboration. The system ran much smoother. However, for my personal media library, HDDs remain fine. I recommend SSD NAS for workstations, CAD teams, and database hosting. For cold data, stick to HDD.

Here’s when to choose SSD or HDD in NAS setups:

Match your NAS setup with your needs. SSDs transform database and heavy collaboration work, but HDDs still shine for big storage at low cost.

Conclusion

SSDs turbocharge database servers and high-speed NAS use, while HDDs stay relevant for massive, low-cost storage. Know your workload before deciding.