SSDs with power loss protection

[KingstonU]

Time for me to replacing my dying Harddrive. I am going the SSD route, but my last one, a Vertex, died one day when the power in my building fluctuated one day turning my computer off.

I believe that "some" of the newer generation SSDs have "power loss protection" to avoid this issue? If so which ones? I don't want to spend $500 on something that could just die like that Vertex did.

[EDIT] Though some suggest simply getting a UPS + regular SSD as that would also solve the problem. Apparently some will automatically send a signal to the PC to perform the shut down procedure once a power loss is protected (for say if you are not around and this happens). Do all UPS do this or only certain ones? [/EDIT]

I am looking for 750GB - 1TB size with the most modern features. I don't have the need for the most extreme speed but I also have the money if there is a noticable benefit. I will using it to play modern games and light general use.

This will be my main Boot drive!

My system is a Sandy Bridge 2500K build from ~2011-2012 with a GTX 670. (Might upgrade videocard later this year)

Is a PCIe worth it? Can those be your boot drive? And is NVMe important? I think that gives faster boot times?

Thanks

 

[Elixer]

They do make SSDs with actual capacitors inside, but those are more geared for the enterprise.
In your case, I would invest in a UPS instead.
It isn't just power loss, but brown outs & spikes that can kill equipment.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, get a UPS.

 

[KingstonU]

Yes, get a UPS.

Ok then what UPS would you recommend? Apparently some will automatically send a signal to the PC to perform the shut down procedure once a power loss is protected (for say if you are not around and this happens). Do all UPS do this or only certain ones? Thanks

 

[VirtualLarry]

Crucial M500, M550, MX200 (I think, not 100% sure) have power-loss caps.

So do Intel 320, 710, and possibly the 730 series. (Some controversy about those, something about review models being different than retail?)

I think that the OCZ Vertex 180 also has power-loss caps.

Most "enterprise" models do too.

 

[corkyg]

UPS is a very good solution. I use one. However, it does not work with a laptop if the battery is installed. It is, in effect, the laptop's UPS. I have my laptop battery removed when in house -and in that case, the regular UPS works.

 

[mxnerd]

[EDIT] Though some suggest simply getting a UPS + regular SSD as that would also solve the problem. Apparently some will automatically send a signal to the PC to perform the shut down procedure once a power loss is protected (for say if you are not around and this happens). Do all UPS do this or only certain ones? [/EDIT]

Look for UPS model that has USB port that can be connected to your PC, and find out whether the vendor has software that can force shutting down the PC.

 

[Elixer]

You can find Cyberpower or APC units on sale all the time.
They both are basically the same.
They both have software that can close your machine if you are almost out of battery power.

I would go with a 1000VA UPS for that system, giving you around 1 hour or so run time, if not more.
CyberPower 1325VA/810W 8-Outlet Simulated Sine Wave UPS Backup (LX1325G) on sale $82.95 at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...wer_lx1325g_uninterruptible_power_supply.html (Offer ends: Jun 17 '16 at 11:59 PM EDT)

You can also get lower units at officemax/depot for $60-70 if you want.

 

[UsandThem]

APC and CyberPower 'smart' UPS units can be connected to computers, and you can install their software to safely shut down your computer when the battery reaches a certain threshhold.

 

[tweakboy]

All the way UPS ,, nice going...

 

[KingstonU]

Ok I am now reading that all these UPS systems have batteries that die every 3-5 years which are like $50, or you might have to replace the whole UPS itself for $100-$150.

So that tells me that, unless your area/building is prone to power failures or brownouts, the UPS solution is not worth it. Just keep a backup of your most important data in case your SSD does experience power loss and fail.

 

[mxnerd]

You can replace the battery and don't need to buy a new UPS when battery dies.

I gave my CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD to my sister when my area does not have power outages as often.

So yep, just keep a backup of vital data if you don't want to spend the money or want to avoid the hassle replacing the battery.

 

[LTC8K6]

The UPS is the best solution, imo. It can do the auto-shut down if you are not there, and it can allow you to finish a task if you are there working on something. Plus, it acts as a surge protector/low voltage protector, etc.

A new battery every few years is a small cost.

You probably get a new computer every few years anyway.

 

[corkyg]

I have replaced batteries on APC and Tripplite UPS units. It happens about every 4=5 years, and is no big deal. I usually just go to my local Batteries Plus and get one off the shelf. They are very heavy to ship, and the old battery can be left there - it is considered a hazmat for disposal.

So, for protecting the SSD from power loss, the UPS i8 the best solution. Backup is good and necessary in general, but it does not protect the SSD, which usually costs a lot more than a new battery.

 

[UsandThem]

Ok I am now reading that all these UPS systems have batteries that die every 3-5 years which are like $50, or you might have to replace the whole UPS itself for $100-$150.

So that tells me that, unless your area/building is prone to power failures or brownouts, the UPS solution is not worth it. Just keep a backup of your most important data in case your SSD does experience power loss and fail.

Depends on how much you value your computer. If you have a $300 pre-built computer, maybe not.

Most people on here don't have that type of computer, and a $80 - $200 UPS is a wise investment to protect expensive hardware from power outages, surges, and dips.

I for one wouldn't risk my computer and data. All it takes is one storm, or very hot weather putting a strain on the local electrical grid from everyone cranking their A/C.

And you can lose a whole more than a hard drive.

 

[bbhaag]

I'm kind of curious about this too. So besides a UPS which most of you guys drove home about are there any consumer drives available like the OP asked about?
VirtualLarry mentioned some but are there any others?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Ok I am now reading that all these UPS systems have batteries that die every 3-5 years which are like $50, or you might have to replace the whole UPS itself for $100-$150.

So that tells me that, unless your area/building is prone to power failures or brownouts, the UPS solution is not worth it. Just keep a backup of your most important data in case your SSD does experience power loss and fail.

I probably won't change any minds on this one, but even if you have an inexpensive OEM system, consider that a UPS is like an insurance policy. You're paying premiums; sooner or later, you either croak or need health care. With this, your data may seem more valuable or less so.

Put it another way. You can probably find a UPS costing less than $100. Over a 3 to 5 year time, you will have electrical storms; you will have blackouts and brownouts. If only for 3 years, your insurance policy is just a bit more than $30/annum.

I've used Tripplite, Belkin, CyberPower and APC. Now, most of our UPS's in the house here are APC's.

The software that provides status on the UPS should tell you when the battery(ies) need to be replaced. Otherwise, you may begin to notice that a momentary brownout will cause the UPS to switch to battery, and then your mouse freezes. Start looking for aftermarket battery replacements for the UPS. Of course, you could order them from the manufacturer, but they will cost more.

 

[Phynaz]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N19W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent unit, pure sine wave output. Forget about the units that are simulated sine wave.

 

[BSim500]

I believe that "some" of the newer generation SSDs have "power loss protection" to avoid this issue? If so which ones?

The only SSD's with "full" PLP are enterprise grade. For regular consumer stuff, Crucial's MX100/MX200 have partial PLP. It won't safeguard against loss of "data in transit" (stuff in DRAM waiting to be written), however, it will safeguard against loss / corruption of existing data or the FTL (Flash Translation Layer), ie, unexpected power cuts shouldn't result in corruption of existing written data under any circumstances. Personally, I'd recommend the MX200 1TB (MLC) given your needs. This article goes into more detail about exactly how Micron's (Crucial) PLP works.

Is a PCIe worth it? Can those be your boot drive? And is NVMe important? I think that gives faster boot times?

Not really worth the price premiums given real-world app / game load time "advantage". NVM boot times can actually be slower than SATA due to having to initialise NVM depending on motherboard.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N19W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent unit, pure sine wave output. Forget about the units that are simulated sine wave.

OK . . I can give a mild thumbs-up to that one. I just had to check and see: here's what the product description says:

" . . . designed to support Active PFC power supplies and conventional power supplies. . . . "

As I may have said elsewhere, I'd had a 1350VA CyberPower that violated this requirement, and I puzzled over the problems it caused for months. This was worse than it could have been, since there were OTHER problems with a power-saving feature in the BIOS which generated BSODs at most once a week.

 

[Elixer]

Be it pure sine, or simulated, either are better than having no protection.
There were some really crappy active PFC PSU that couldn't handle the lower end simulated sine wave, but, those are long gone.
Today, and good PSU doesn't really care that much if it is pure or simulated. Their circuitry have gotten much better.
That means, don't go low end for a PSU folks!