SSD - Reliablity Concerns

colonelciller

Senior member
Sep 29, 2012
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Hi, I'm looking to move to an SSD for the OS + APPS for the 1st time.
** needing ~230-300gb usable SSD space.

I'm really concerned with SSD drive failure and the potential catastrophic impact that could have on software licenses that must be "deactivated" before uninstalling (in order to be able to reinstall on a fresh OS). This is true for software like Photoshop as well as other CAD software that is installed. If the drive dies, my licenses may go with it.

1st question: So, how to mitigate this risk of failure? (Raid 1 comes to mind but the $$$ is too high).

2nd question: What are some decently reliable SSDs in the 200gb-300gb (usable) size range? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

Charlie98

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2011
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If you are looking for 200-300GB useable, your answer would be one of the 500'ish GB SSDs. Samsung 830 or 840Pro series, Plextor M5P, Crucial M4, Intel 520 is where I would go.

If you have a working OS, you can clone it over to the new SSD and be in business; you may have a few problems with some of the programs (I did with QuickBooks when I did it...) but a phone call usually clears it up. If you want to start with a clean OS, install it and just reenter your existing OS code... I've done it numerous times with 4 different computers... never a problem (with Windows.)
 

Charlie98

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2011
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I would also add... a backup system. That is to say some sort of external drive to backup images (I use Acronis) of your system or drive (I image my entire C drive every 3rd day.) It does not have to be an SSD... I use a Seagate 500GB portable HDD (I actually have 2 that I rotate... one on the computer, one in the safe.) I also have an additional 500GB HDD in the computer itself, but that is simply a redundant backup that could easily be lost in the event of a system crash or other disaster (fire, theft, etc.)
 

BrightCandle

Diamond Member
Mar 15, 2007
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SSDs just like HDDs fail. They should be more reliable being solid state but they don't in practice seem to be. The failure rates of all drives are high enough that you need to assume the disk will fail. That means backups are necessary.

Statistically the most reliable SSDs seem to be Intel's drives, but they aren't reliable enough to rely on. You can't get what you want so work out how to do this right. Raid 1 isn't the answer either, you need to put in place an external backup for what matters.
 

GAO

Member
Dec 10, 2009
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+=1 on the backup. This is really the only way to protect against failure without having to go through the pain of re-installation. RAID can fail as well.

SSD are pretty reliable though. You should be no more concerned about SSD failure than regular HDD failure nowadays,
 

colonelciller

Senior member
Sep 29, 2012
915
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Thanks all for the tips!

I'm going to copy your backup method Charlie and I really appreciate the list of SSD options, I'll be selecting one from that list. very helpful!

thanks again :)