SSD Speed Test Guide: Easy Methods for Windows, macOS & Linux
- wilfordconred
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever wondered whether your SSD is truly operating at the speed it claims? You may be wondering how quickly your drive can actually go, or your system feels slower than it should. You've come to the right place if you're looking for an easy-to-use method to test SSD performance on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Although solid-state drives are renowned for their lightning-fast performance, real speeds can vary based on your system configuration, interface type, drive health, and even the SSD's remaining space. By testing your SSD, you can determine whether it's operating at the speed you paid for and identify any bottlenecks that might be causing delays.
By the end of this course, you'll know exactly how to measure SSD speed on each operating system and how to interpret each benchmark score.
Why Test Your SSD Speed?
Testing your SSD's speed lets you determine whether it's working as it should. Even high-quality SSDs can degrade over time, so testing their performance ensures everything is working correctly.
For people who work with storage utilities, such as formatting external drives with a GUI Format download utility.
It's easy to see how benchmarking works on a similar principle: basic tools provide valuable insights into your drive's performance.
Here’s why testing SSD speed matters:
Confirm actual performance: Verify that your SSD achieves the manufacturer's stated read/write speeds.
Spot early problems: A decrease in speed may signal potential failure, firmware issues, or health problems.
Improve system responsiveness: Smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and faster boot times are all benefits of faster SSDs.
Verify hardware upgrades: Testing after swapping ports, cables, or motherboards ensures your SSD performs to its full potential.
Compare real vs. advertised speeds: Real-world performance often differs from specs; testing sets accurate expectations.
Troubleshoot slowdowns: Identify whether the SSD is causing laggy apps, slow file transfers, or system delays.
Key SSD Speed Metrics Explained
Before conducting any benchmarks, it is essential to grasp the key criteria that determine SSD performance. Understanding what these statistics represent makes it easier to analyze outcomes and identify potential problems.
Sequential Read/Write: Measures how fast large, continuous files are read or written. Important for file transfers and backups.
Random Read/Write (4K): Measures how quickly small, scattered files are handled. Crucial for app launches and system responsiveness.
IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second): Shows how many read/write operations the drive can handle per second. Higher values improve multitasking.
Latency: The time it takes for the drive to respond to requests. Lower latency means faster overall performance.
How to Test SSD Speed on Windows?
Windows provides simple methods for monitoring SSD performance, ranging from built-in instructions to free benchmarking software. These tests assess sequential & random read/write speeds, allowing you to determine whether your drive is working as intended.
1. Using CrystalDiskMark (Most Popular)
CrystalDiskMark is the go-to tool for quick, accurate benchmarks.
Steps:
Download CrystalDiskMark (free).
Open the app and select your SSD from the dropdown.
Leave test settings at default (SEQ1M Q8T1, SEQ1M Q1T1, etc.).
Click All to start the test.
Compare results with your SSD manufacturer’s specs.
What You’ll Get:
Sequential read/write numbers
Random 4K performance
Real-time progress indicators
2. Using Windows PowerShell (No Download)
If you want a quick check without software, use winsat.
Steps:
Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Run the command:
winsat disk -drive c
You’ll get sequential read/write results instantly.
Not as detailed, but it works well for basic checks.
3. Using ATTO Disk Benchmark
ATTO is excellent for testing performance across different file sizes.
Steps:
Download and install ATTO
Select your SSD
Run the test with default settings
This tool shows performance scaling by block size, giving a deeper look into drive behavior.
How to Test SSD Speed on macOS?
Using built-in and third-party tools, macOS provides dependable methods for testing SSD performance. With these techniques, you can precisely measure read and write speeds, ensuring your SSD operates efficiently and your system remains responsive.
1. Using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Popular among video editors on macOS.
Steps:
Download from the Mac App Store.
Open the app and choose your SSD/storage location.
Click Start.
You’ll see:
Write speed
Read speed
Real-time performance gauge
2. Using Terminal Commands
For advanced users, Terminal provides raw speed data.
Write Speed Test:
time dd if=/dev/zero bs=1024k of=~/testfile
Read Speed Test:
time dd if=~/testfile bs=1024k of=/dev/null
These commands measure approximate sequential performance.
How to Test SSD Speed on Linux?
Linux has several SSD performance testing tools, ranging from graphical user interfaces to basic command-line applications. These tests help assess read/write performance, verify latency, and ensure your SSD is operating as expected, whether you prefer a visual benchmark or terminal commands.
1. Using hdparm (Command Line)
Test Read Speed:
sudo hdparm -Tt /dev/sda
This gives cached and buffered read speed.
2. Using dd for Write/Read Speed
Write Speed:
dd if=/dev/zero of=testfile bs=1G count=1 oflag=direct
Read Speed:
dd if=testfile of=/dev/null bs=1G
3. Using GNOME Disks (GUI Method)
Perfect for users who prefer a visual interface.
Steps:
Open Disks
Select your SSD
Click the menu icon ➝ Benchmark Disk
Start the test
Outputs include:
Read/write speeds
Latency
Graphs over time
How to Know If Your SSD Speed Is Normal?
Compare your results with:
Manufacturer’s official specifications
Reviews or benchmarks of your SSD model
Expected performance ranges for SATA, NVMe Gen 3, Gen 4, or Gen 5
Approximate Speed Ranges:
HDD: Typically 80–150 MB/s. Much slower than SSDs, noticeable in boot times and file transfers.
SATA SSD: Around 450–550 MB/s. A solid upgrade from HDDs for general performance.
NVMe Gen 3 SSD: Usually 1,800–3,500 MB/s. Ideal for gaming, content creation, and faster data access.
NVMe Gen 4 SSD: Roughly 5,000–7,500 MB/s. Great for high-end workloads and large file transfers.
NVMe Gen 5 SSD: Can reach 10,000–14,000 MB/s, cutting-edge speeds for advanced computing and professional tasks.
What to Do If Your SSD Speed Is Slow?
If your results are significantly lower than expected, try these fixes:
Enable AHCI mode in BIOS: Ensures faster communication between the SSD and the system.
Update SSD firmware: An outdated firmware can heavily affect speed.
Use the right port: NVMe SSDs need PCIe lanes; SATA drives need SATA 6Gbps.
Avoid thermal throttling: Ensure proper airflow or use a heatsink for NVMe drives.
Check for drive health issues: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo or Smartmontools.
Free up storage space: Maintaining at least 10–20% free space keeps speeds high.
Final Thoughts
Checking your SSD's speed helps you determine whether your system is working as planned. CrystalDiskMark, Windows PowerShell, and Linux programs can help you discover problems early on and keep your SSD running at peak performance.
Regular benchmarking helps to maintain consistent performance and identify problems before they become problematic. It also enables you to make informed decisions on system updates and maintenance.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Wilford Conrad. I’m a tech enthusiast and software developer passionate about exploring storage solutions, PC performance, and the latest in hardware technology.
I love testing tools, troubleshooting drives, and sharing practical tips to help readers get the most out of their systems.
Through guides like this one, I aim to make complex tech topics easy to understand and actionable for everyone.
Ref:
Munnawer, A. (2025, August 22). How to check Performance/Speed of your HDD or SSD. Blog. https://directmacro.com/blog/post/how-to-check-performance-speed-of-your-hdd-or-ssd-direct-macro?srsltid=AfmBOoofdnNhpz_iYdRv23gDjjhJOiV2B7gWDUp0PLiU3K9251L3R8xe
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