Ubuntu: Measure the read speed of the hard disk
In this practical tip, you will learn how to measure the read speed of the hard disk under Ubuntu. Depending on whether you use an HDD or SSD hard drive, the speeds differ by lengths.
How to measure the read speed of your hard drive on Ubuntu
If your computer is not working fast enough, you do not have to upgrade the entire hardware - often the read and write speed of the hard drive is a reason for slow processes. Ubuntu has an integrated tool that you can use to measure the reading speed.
- Tap the dash icon in the top left and type "drive management" in the search bar.
- Select the hard drive in the "Storage Devices" area.
- Click the "Compare Test" option.
- You now have the choice to measure only the reading speed or the writing speed of your hard disk.
- Clicking on one of the two tests starts the comparison.
- After a few seconds you will receive the result with a diagram and additional information such as "lowest reading speed".
The instructions are based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS - other versions may differ in behavior. If you are satisfied with your hard drive, we will explain in another practical tip how you can extend the life of an SSD hard drive.