HDDBoost mixes SSDs and HDDs for better read performance

Hybrid harddrives is not news and was actually in the news before retail SSDs, but component maker SilverStone has launched a PC accessory with the name HDDBoost that brings back the idea of pairing SSD technology with mechanical harddrives. Silverstone’s 5.25″ drives ships with three SATA ports where you connect one SSD, one HDD and finally connects the device to the motherboard.

An integrated circuit then handles the two storage devices and copies as much as possible from the HDD to the SSD. When this has been completed the circuit tunes the system so that the majority of the reads are done from the storage unit happens from the Solid State Drive, which will increase read performance by up to 150% according to the manufacturer. All writes are still done to the HDD, which will also prolong the life expectancy of the SSD. That shouldn’t be a problem with the latest generation SSDs.

Exactly how the technology works and why it simply doesn’t use a sole SSD for the operating system we don’t really know, but those with small SSDs (at least 32GB is recommended) might find this an interesting solution.

SilverStone HDDBoost costs around 50€ and has been listed by several store, though hard to find in stock.