Flash SSD vs HDD: High performance oriented modern embedded and multimedia storage systems

Flash memory is continuously been dominating on HDD for performance oriented modern applications by last more than two decades. Currently the high capacity MLC flash SSDs are becoming center of attraction for large size multimedia systems to support their increasing storage and throughput demands. The advantage of MLC flash over SLC flash is lower cost, higher capacity and increased throughput. However, MLC flash SSDs suffer for lesser data reliability, higher bit error ratio and reduced erasure cycles compare to SLC flash SSDs. In this paper, the performance is evaluated and compared of both types of NAND flash memories with HDD. Experimental results based on two modern real-time benchmarks are provided and discussed to give the better idea to users for suitable storage devices for their embedded and multimedia applications.