How to Test SSD Read and Write Speed on Windows 10/11 [Step-by-Step Guide]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Sherly 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Have you upgraded your HDD with an SSD? If your system isn't as fast as the day you installed it, knowing the exact speed can help. Read on to learn more about SSD read and write speeds, and how to test them in your system.

How to Test SSD Read/Write Speed on Windows 10/11 - Two Guides

Follow the steps below to test your SSD's read and write speeds using Partition Master. If you just want a rough idea of your SSD's performance, you can also check out the Task Manager method below.

#2 Guide to Test SSD Read and Write Speed on Windows 10/11 with Partition Master On Windows 10 or 11, you can use the Partition Master tool to test the read and write speed of your Solid State Drive (SSD). Follow this step-by-step guide: 1. **Download and Install Partition Master**: First, visit the official website to download the latest version of Partition Master. Make sure to obtain the software from a trustworthy source for safety. 2. **Run Partition Master**: After installation, double-click the shortcut on your desktop to launch the software. Note that the free version might have some limitations, but basic hard disk performance testing features should be accessible. 3. **Identify the SSD**: In the software interface, you'll see a list of all connected hard drives in your system. Locate your SSD and note its name or number. 4. **Select the Testing Option**: In Partition Master's menu bar, find and click on "Tools" or "Hard Disk Tools." Then, choose "Hard Disk Speed Test" or a similar option. 5. **Start the Test**: In the popup window, select the SSD you want to test and click "Start" or "Test." Partition Master will commence testing the read and write speeds. 6. **View the Results**: Upon completion, the software will display the read and write speed results, usually in MB/s (megabytes per second). These numbers will help you gauge your SSD's performance. 7. **Record and Compare**: If you need to compare different SSDs or hard drives, record each test result and make comparisons. Please note that test results may vary depending on the SSD brand, model, interface type, and current system load. If your SSD's read and write speeds are significantly lower than expected, check hardware connections, update drivers, or investigate other potential issues.

Partition Master is a reliable online application you can use to test SSD read and write speeds. The software offers a "Disk Benchmark" feature that allows you to easily test the SSD read and write speed on your Windows PC. Additionally, its user-friendly interface makes it easy for even novice users to operate and navigate the tool.

Follow these steps to test your SSD's read/write speed:

Step 1: Launch Partition Master. Then click the Download button to activate the “DiskMark” feature in the “Discovery” section.

Step 2. Select the target drive, test data, and block size from the drop-down menus.

Select a disk to test its speed.

Step 3. Once all settings are configured, click on “Start” to run the disk test. You will then see the sequential or random read/write speeds, I/O and latency data.

Click Start to begin the test.

After testing the SSD's reading and writing speed, you can also use other features provided by Partition Master:

• Speed Up Hard Drive/SSD
• Check SSD Health on Windows 10
• Check SSD Temperature on Windows 10
• Run Disk Performance Test on Windows
• Check Hard Drive Health on Windows 7/8/10/11

The Partition Master application also allows you to check the SSD speed and drive health to make sure your drive has no errors or issues and that your SSD is in optimal condition. So, download the Partition Master tool to test the read and write speeds of your SSD on a Windows PC.

**Guideline 2: Test SSD Read and Write Speed on Windows 10/11 Using Task Manager** On Windows 10 or 11, you can use the Task Manager to easily check the read and write speeds of your Solid State Drive (SSD). Here's how: 1. **Open Task Manager**: Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` keys together, or right-click the taskbar and select "Task Manager." 2. **Navigate to Performance tab**: In the Task Manager window, click on the "Performance" tab at the top of the menu bar. 3. **View disk information**: On the "Performance" page, you'll see a section on the right labeled "Disk." This area will display basic read and write speed information for your SSD. Note that these figures might not be highly accurate but can give you a general idea. 4. **View detailed information**: If you need more detailed disk performance data, click on the "Open Resource Monitor" link at the bottom. In the "Resource Monitor" window, choose the "Disk" tab. Here, you'll find a list of all disks with their read and write activities and corresponding speeds. Please note that this method only provides basic SSD performance details. For more in-depth benchmark testing, you might want to use specialized hard drive testing tools like CrystalDiskMark or HD Tune.

The Task Manager is a powerful built-in tool that can give you an overview of your system's hardware. You can use it to check the status of your SSD. While it doesn't allow for an in-depth look at SSD data, Task Manager is great for a quick overview of your storage drives.

Here's how to test SSD read and write speeds on Windows 10/11 using the Task Manager:

Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar on your computer, and select Task Manager.

Step 2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Performance” tab.

Step 3: Then, select your drive from the left panel, and it will show the read and write speed of your SSD.

You can see the speed there, but you will notice that it's dynamic, and it bounces around depending on what else is running in the background. So actually getting a good read on what its state is at any one time is a challenge.

For exact information, refer to Method One above. As shown in the video, using Partition Master provides more detailed data:

 

Read more:

What are the read/write speeds of an SSD? The read/write speeds of an SSD (Solid State Drive) refer to how quickly data can be retrieved from or written to the storage device. This is one of the key performance metrics for SSDs. Read speed is the rate at which an SSD can fetch data from its storage medium. When you open a file, load an application, or play a game, the SSD's read speed determines the speed of these operations. Faster read speeds significantly enhance system responsiveness and overall performance. Write speed, on the other hand, is how quickly new data is stored within the SSD's memory cells. This includes saving files, installing programs, or performing system updates. Fast write speeds are crucial for everyday use and large data transfers, as they affect the time it takes to save and transfer files. Read/write speeds are typically measured in Megabytes per second (MB/s) or Gigabytes per second (GB/s). Modern SSDs far surpass traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) in terms of speed, offering several times or even many times the performance boost.

SSD write speed refers to how quickly data is recorded onto the storage drive, while SSD read speed determines how fast data is retrieved from the drive. Your SSD's speed will vary depending on the interface used and its type of construction.

- High-end SSD: Gigabytes per second - Standard SSD: 500 MB/s sequential read and write - Typical HDD: 80–160 MB/s

You can share this article on social media to help more people understand the read and write speeds of SSDs.

This means that tasks and programs load faster, resulting in better system responsiveness.

However, when an SSD slows down, it can cause your computer to run slower and perform worse. This is especially noticeable when you have multiple tasks and background programs running. Additionally, your SSD could fail altogether, causing data corruption. For this reason, it's important to test your SSD's speed regularly to determine if it needs optimizing.

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Read on to learn how to test your SSD's read and write speeds using two simple methods described later in this article.

Conclusions

Switching to an SSD won't optimize your computer on its own; you have to maintain it. Also, if your SSD is running slow, it could be because it's full, has errors, or is physically damaged. Catching these issues early on can help you take the necessary steps to protect your valuable data before it's too late.

This article offers two great ways to test the read and write speed of an SSD. However, if you want a simple and safe testing method, you can download the Partition Master application at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Testing SSD Read/Write Speeds

Hopefully, the above methods have helped you test your SSD read and write speed. If you still have questions about how to check SSD speed, the following FAQs might help.

**1. How do I check the read and write speed of my SSD?** To test the read and write speeds of your SSD (Solid State Drive), follow these steps: **Windows:** 1. Download and install a benchmarking tool such as CrystalDiskMark or HD Tune. 2. Launch the software and select the SSD drive you want to test. 3. Run the read and write speed tests. The software typically provides default settings, but you can also customize them. 4. After the test completes, the results showing read and write speeds will be displayed. **macOS:** 1. Install a free application like Blackmagic Disk Speed Test or ATTO Disk Benchmark. 2. Open the application and select your SSD as the target drive. 3. Start the speed test. These applications usually perform read and write tests automatically. 4. Once the test is done, the results will be shown on the screen. **Linux:** 1. Open a terminal. 2. Install the `hdparm` or `fio` command-line tools if they're not already installed. 3. Use the `hdparm` command for a simple test, e.g., `sudo hdparm -Tt /dev/sda` (replace `sda` with your SSD device name). 4. Alternatively, use `fio` for a more detailed test, which would require creating a configuration file and running the corresponding command. Keep in mind that actual speeds may vary depending on the SSD model, interface type (like SATA, PCIe NVMe), and overall system performance.

You can test your SSD's read and write speeds using the built-in Task Manager on your computer. Here's how:

Step 1: Right-click the taskbar and open Task Manager.

Step 2: In the Task Manager window, select the "Performance" tab.

Step 3: Select your drive from the left column. You can now see the read and write speeds of your SSD.

2. What is the normal read and write speed for an SSD?

Most common SSDs read and write at speeds between 300-500 MB/s. If your average performance is similar, your SSD is working normally. However, SSDs are available in a wide range of speeds, from around 200 MB/s to several thousand MB/s. Upgrading to a faster SSD can improve your computer's performance.

3. How can I tell if my SSD is failing?

You might notice that your SSD is failing if your system experiences any of the following:

• Frequent system errors
• Slow system performance
• SSD failing to write files properly
• Difficulty in reading or writing files
• Applications crashing or freezing abruptly

So, make sure you back up your data and find a way to work around the problem.