We can already say it: the SSD, or hard disk or solid state, has officially replaced the HD of all the life (and to install them in our computers is a simple process). Every day more systems mount these discs: tablets, convertibles, consoles, PC’s and, as confirmed by several manufacturers, mobile phones.
But what has led the market to adopt this decision? An SSD is tentatively safer, much faster in reading and transmitting data and, above all, does not suffer much degradation over time.
If in the traditional disks of plates, axis and needle, the reading implied an almost obligatory deterioration, with this type of cells there are no mechanical parts – but chemical reactions. And of course, when replacing the mechanical elements, the noise and the need for extra ventilation are reduced.
The interface: the differential element of an SSD
Let’s start with the most ignored part and, in turn, the most relevant part. Depending on the type of interface and connection protocol that your hard disk uses, it will be more or less fast in data transfer .
SATA connections offer transmission rates of 100 to 600 MB / s, while the latest PCI Express connections have a theoretical limit of 64 GB / s bidirectional. Version 4.0 has a maximum bandwidth, in lane, of 15.8 Gbit / s. If you look at initiatives like Lenovo’s Project Spark, they have achieved a stable speed of 12 Gygabits per second , via PCI-Express, on SSDs up to 48TB, a historical record.
Of course, this power boost also translates into the price. In addition, many current systems do not have PCI Express output. If we want to mount an SSD, for example, on a laptop, we should think about the SATA III interface, which offer around 540 MB / s. The 250 GB revolve around 80 euros ; the 500 around 150 euros.
The format: it’s not just a matter of size
There are several versions of SATA SSD, in any case. We have them, from highest to lowest, of 3.5, 2.5 and 1.8 inches. The most common are the intermediate ones , they are the ones chosen to mount the physical memory of laptops and convertibles.
A 2.5-inch SSD does not usually exceed 9.1 millimeters, the standard being 7 mm. The units of type M.2 are the most common but, nevertheless, we can always buy a housing according to our needs. We can adapt any of these three formats without compatibility problems.
Why are some more expensive than others if they have the same space?
Once we have determined the format and the connection interface, we have something very important: space. Here comes another factor at play: the better the technology, the more expensive the SSD is . We can find some new single-cell technology (SLC) discs at bargain prices, probably with little space. And we can run into monsters with Triple-Level Cell (TLC) technology that triple the price.
These protocols refer to the internal composition of the cells – number of bits stored per cell, to be exact-. The most advanced flash memories can multiply by six the price of a normal MLC.
And why do we have all these acronyms in mind? Because the life of our SSD depends on them. A simple analogy: the technologies that less memory is able to contain are, in turn, those that have more life. That is, do not look for the larger SSD hard disk, as the technology has not yet been developed so much as to find prices similar to traditional HD. Find the fastest, the most agile and transportable.
Thinking in the future
When we think of an SSD, we think of something volatile. By their own composition, these discs have a limit number of reading and writing cycles . After this period the disk dies and the information becomes irrecoverable. But things have changed a lot. We have gone from 20TB of writing data -about two years, depending on the use that is given- to 300-350 TB, that is: enough life for 30 years of continuous use.
An annexe: there are applications that monitor the use of your SSD and, based on that ratio, predict a life limit. SSD ready is a fantastic tool to know this information. The ratio will always vary depending on the use: for example, 10GB of writing per day suppose about 25 years of useful life. In addition, this degradation is becoming smaller thanks to technologies such as TRIM, an order that makes the Operating System pass specific information to the exact blocks where it is located, either to erase or write, saving reading time and reducing deterioration.
As we said, the current SSDs are robust and reliable, withstand transport and shock much better than any HD dishes. So the Achilles heel of traditional hard drives here is not such: the disks can be stacked in areas of poor ventilation and will continue to function “almost” the same.
You can also read: how to fix a dead ssd
Cloning our old files
There are already a multitude of tools to copy not only the files but the internal structure by folders. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is an ideal free option to create partitions and migrate our data from one HD to another.
And do not forget that here you have a complete guide to care for the health of the hard drive, whatever the format, and here another installation guide to protecting our SSD.
Red code: maximum security
Finally, it should be noted that one of the great virtues of these new discs is in their safety. Whether it’s for companies or private users, deleting an SSD is much safer, since the information is not overwritten, but actually disappears.
SSDs are like “pendrives” in large, use NAND memory, similar to RAM, only that it is not volatile. That is to say, it remains stored until you decide to erase it, you do not need to be receiving a constant supply of energy. It has been shown that, after a single format, the computers that use this command reduce the average data recovery by up to 27% . With three formats, it will be gone forever.
So you know, not only for being lighter, transportable and fast: the SSD are also an ally in case you want to erase data in the future without fear of someone recovering them and stealing them.
