Question SSD's for secondary storage

[strep3241]

Is it feasible to use an SSD for storage instead of a standard hdd these days? If not, how long will it be before that becomes normal? I know that the constant writing to them is not that good for them, well that was when they first came out. Is that still true today? Is the higher cost more of a factor? Are there other issues with using an SSD as a storage drive?

I would imagine cost would be too high for users with tb's of data but what about the average user?

 

[UsandThem]

Is it feasible to use an SSD for storage instead of a standard hdd these days? If not, how long will it be before that becomes normal?

It's normal now. They sell external SSD drives already.

I know that the constant writing to them is not that good for them, well that was when they first came out. Is that still true today? Is the higher cost more of a factor? Are there other issues with using an SSD as a storage drive?

Different types of SSDs have different write endurance ratings. QVL drives are usually the lowest, with MLC drives being among the highest. However, there are hardly any MLC drives made anymore, so most people use drives with TLC NAND. Each capacity and brand of SSD offers different endurance warranties, so you'll have to figure out how much data you will write (and how often).

I would imagine cost would be too high for users with tb's of data but what about the average user?

HDDs are cheaper, especially larger ones that are 2TB+, but I'd imagine the "average" user has under that amount. In that case, a person can buy a quality 2TB SSD for under $200.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Are you a human?

www.newegg.com

Edit: Sorry, forgot to describe the link. It's a 2TB WD Blue 2.5" SATA SSD, for $179.99. Which is currently now sold out (it wasn't when I posted it).

 

[strep3241]

It's normal now. They sell external SSD drives already.

Different types of SSDs have different write endurance ratings. QVL drives are usually the lowest, with MLC drives being among the highest. However, there are hardly any MLC drives made anymore, so most people use drives with TLC NAND. Each capacity and brand of SSD offers different endurance warranties, so you'll have to figure out how much data you will write (and how often).

HDDs are cheaper, especially larger ones that are 2TB+, but I'd imagine the "average" user has under that amount. In that case, a person can buy a quality 2TB SSD for under $200.

How do you know what the endurance is? Looked at a few drives and didn't notice any specs about endurance. And how does one find out how much data one will write?

 

[UsandThem]

How do you know what the endurance is? Looked at a few drives and didn't notice any specs about endurance. And how does one find out how much data one will write?

They will likely write a lot more than the endurance warranty is rated for. Many quality SSDs are rated between 1.5 - 2 million MTTF.

As far as to see the detailed specs of drives, you will need to go to the manufacturer's website, where they will have the details there (although sometimes you have to download the drive specification sheet to see things like the write endurance and other advanced details). For example, the WD drive Larry mentioned above: https://support-en.wd.com/app/products/product-detail/p/276#WD_downloads

 

[extide]

How do you know what the endurance is? Looked at a few drives and didn't notice any specs about endurance. And how does one find out how much data one will write?

Even the most basic consumer drives are rated for 0.3 DWPD -- thats drive writes per day -- for several years. THat mean you could literally fill up that drive every 3 days for 1-3 years, straight .. and still be in spec. Most drives will last significantly longer than that even. Wearing out an SSD isn't a concern unless you're in a datacenter.

FWIW, I have been wanting to get a 2TB Intel 660P drive as a games/steam drive for a while now. Even though it's QLC it will be absolutely fine with that kind of workload.

 

[arandomguy]

It depends on how much data you need. We're now under $100/TB for SSDs. While HDDs are still around 4x more cost efficient at 4TB for under $100.

In my case I see 4 TB as possibly be the soft stalling point in terms of bulk storage for me in the foreseeable future. Given current price trends and how much I would be willing to spend I might possibly be able to remove all HDDs from my system in 2 years. Currently I'm already pondering replacing my game HDD (I have a thread about this) and therefore moving down to only 1 HDD in system.

The only technical disadvantage for SSDs is in terms of archival they are in theory worse off in terms of data retention in an non -powered state, as in if say you write to it and then leave in a box for a very long time and then come back to read it compared to a HDD. Although I'm not aware of any real studies yet to see what the actual numbers are for that case in practical terms, and in comparison to HDDs.

 

[corkyg]

I have two SSDs in my laptop, which is only used for travel. Therefore, it sometimes goes 6 months or so without powering on. It has been this way for 2 years, and I have lost5 zero data on either SSD.