Which interface is better for ssd. Supported technologies and TRIM function. Key Features Crucial CT512MX100SSD1

A solid state drive does not look much different from an HDD.

The abbreviation SSD stands for Solid. State Drive. You can translate into Russian as a solid state drive. Its main advantage is the absence of moving internal parts, that is, all operations are performed by electronics units.

In fact, the first solid state drive appeared in 1978. But in those days, the benefit from its use was very doubtful, and production was costly. For the general public, SSDs were introduced around 2007-2008. They were modest in terms of memory and could have around 128 GB. Nowadays, there are already models of solid state drives with a capacity of 1 TB and a read / write speed of 2600/1600 MB / s. And not so long ago, the Russian company GS Group launched the production of SSDs.

In a special publication of our portal, we will talk in detail about what RAM is in a computer. You will learn the characteristics of RAM, how to find out the amount of RAM and types of RAM on your computer.

The difference between SSD and HDD

The most important difference is in the design. An SSD has no moving parts, which means there is nothing to wear out inside it. And as a result - no noise. Due to the fact that all the elements inside the SSD are soldered and fixed, such a drive is much more resistant to shocks and vibrations.

On the HDD, reading files occurs due to the passage of the magnetic head over the surface of the disk. The speed of reading, and writing, in this case depends on the speed of rotation of the disk. In the SSD magnetic disk there is none as such, and the reading occurs by checking the memory cells for the presence of a charge in them, which is undoubtedly faster.

The same goes for random access to data. For example, to read multiple different files HDD, its magnetic head, will have to "rush" between different parts of the disk in order to ensure timely loading of data. An SSD can simultaneously find and download multiple files at the same time.

Well, one more thing significant advantage- low power consumption.

Well, now it is worth remembering about the shortcomings. The most important of them, because of which many users were initially afraid to switch to SSD, is the limited number of write cycles. In other words, the more often data is overwritten on a disk, the sooner it will fail. And this happened at the most unexpected moments for the user. But the technology is improving, mechanisms are being added to control the number of cell overwrites, which allow you to add new data to less “worn out” ones. There is also an upgrade of memory types, which will further extend the life of the device.

Another repulsive factor is the price of an SSD drive. But this is a temporary phenomenon, as the cost is gradually decreasing. For example, today a medium-quality 500 GB disk can be bought for about 9,000 rubles. An HDD of this volume can be purchased for 2,000-3,000 rubles, with a disk rotation speed of 7200 rpm.

Well, the last thing you should know about SSD is the impossibility of recovering files after deletion. Although some manufacturers supply their devices with mechanisms that allow this to be done. Perhaps in the future we will see an SSD with all the features of an HDD, but without its drawbacks.

Basic Specifications of SSD Drives for PC

The main parameters by which it is customary to choose an SSD are: volume, form factor, connection type and read / write speed. But, in addition to them, there are other, less popular options. Let's look into all the intricacies of the characteristics and find out which SSD to choose when buying.

Volume

It is pointless to explain in particular about the volume of a hard disk in our digital age. In short, it characterizes the maximum amount of data that can be written to it. It is measured in gigabytes and, more recently, in terabytes. 1TB = 1000 GB.

Disk board

This is interesting: in fact, with terabytes, as with other units - gigabytes and megabytes, there is a little confusion. The fact is that almost all applications and operating systems use the value of 1024 GB as a terabyte. But in the SI unit system, the prefix "tera" means 1012, that is, 1,000,000,000,000 exactly. Almost all hard drive manufacturers adhere to the "correct" metric: 1 TB = 1000 GB. But the operating system can calculate and display the volume in its own way, based on 1TB = 1024 GB.

In general, the main selection criterion - the more the better.

Form Factor

The main form factors on the market can be found 4: 1.8", 2.5", 3.5" and several varieties of M.2. The first two standards are usually used as an SSD hard drive for a laptop. The rest are more common in desktop PC versions. If everything is clear with inches, then M.2 should be dealt with in more detail.

Form factor 2.5"

M.2 is a relatively new connector and board specification. Mainly used for SSD connections, but other devices are present, such as USB, Wi-Fi modules, and so on. In most cases, there are SSDs with M and B keys. This is easy to determine - there will be three separate buses on the board: two small ones and one large one in the middle. The boards are also divided into 2242, 2260, 2280. This is nothing but the size. The first two digits indicate the width, the rest - the length.

M.2 form factor and its variations

ATTENTION!

Before installing an SSD drive on a computer, you should make sure that the module does not interfere with other components of the motherboard and cooling.

Connection interface

The connection interface is very closely related to the form factor. The two most popular connection types today are SATA and PCIe. The first option has increased compatibility, as it is present on almost all motherboards, including laptops.

SATA interface cable

Varieties of PCIe are mostly found in desktop systems. Although it should be noted that the M.2 standard is gradually beginning to master mobile platforms.

Read/write speed

With speeds in the SSD environment, everything is very difficult. Naturally, the read and write speed is much higher than that of the HDD. However, many manufacturers like to significantly inflate these parameters for marketing purposes. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to focus on reviews of authoritative resources and publications, as well as on reviews from customers who have already tried the device.

Memory type and time to failure

There are three types of SSD memory: SLC, MLC and TLC. Intel announced in early 2017 the new kind memory, but the device is still too expensive and it is still unknown how long it will reach the average user. So these three known types are used.

SLC stands for Single Level Cell, that is, a single-level cell. The most productive type with the greatest resource of work. However, while their price is relatively high, such SSDs are used mainly in server solutions.

MLC− multilevel cell. We can say that this is the middle level between SLC and TLC. Average work resource, average productivity, average price.

TLC- the most inexpensive, weakest in performance and resource type of memory. It was this technology that was used to operate conventional flash drives.

TRIM function

This feature was needed after the development of the first solid-state drives. The fact is that ordinary HDDs and SSDs perform deletion and formatting in different ways. In short, to repeat the technique of these operations on an SSD, like an HDD, the speed and resource of solid state drives would become uncompetitive.

The TRIM function is used to clear cells before they are overwritten. This saves access time for the SSD. Support for its systems began with Windows 7, Linux 2.6.33 and MacOS. In Android, starting from version 4.3, there is an analogue of the TRIM function.

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If suddenly your system does not support the TRIM function, then there are several special utilities who perform her duties manually.

Drive Clipboard

The buffer or cache on the HDD accelerated the speed of writing and reading by accumulating a certain amount of information in a separate area. This allowed not to "pull" the hard drive once again. In SSD, this approach does not make sense, since writing and reading are instantaneous anyway. However, in solid state drives, the cache is often used as a store of service information. It does not particularly affect performance, and is rarely indicated by developers in the specification or information about the device.

What is the difference between expensive and cheap SSD

The main parameters that affect the cost of a solid state drive are the type of memory, the type of controller and its volume. Memory types have already been discussed in the article a little higher. Controllers, on the other hand, depend entirely on the manufacturer. From the top segment, brands such as Intel, Samsung, Marvell can be distinguished. The class below is followed by Jmicron or Silicon Motion.

Of the latest expensive innovations, we can distinguish products from Intel with the 3D Xpoint memory type. True, such an SSD disk for a computer of 500 GB is sold at a price of about 40,000 rubles. The declared read / write speed on such a device can reach 2000/2500 Mb / s.

Which is better for a laptop - HDD or SSD

The technological development of the SSD is still at such a level that it is not considered acceptable to use it in the system as the main hard drive. This is due to the fact that they fail too quickly compared to the HDD.

Therefore, the best solution for a laptop solid state hard drive is to use it in tandem with the HDD. An operating system can be installed on the SSD, and programs, games, documents, and other files can be installed on the HDD. If you are planning to buy an M.2 laptop SSD, then you should first make sure that this laptop supports this type of connector.

M.2 SSD in laptop

What is the best SSD for a laptop? You can stop at a budget version of a disk with a small amount (for example, 60 GB), TLC memory type and, if possible, use M.2. This should be sufficient for most operating systems. All programs and games will be installed on an additional HDD, which will increase the life of the device. In the event of an SSD failure, all data will be saved to the HDD.

What is the best SSD drive for a computer? Overview of several models and rating of SSD drives

The market for SSD devices is very diverse. Unlike processors, there are no leading players here. production solid state drives engaged in both large and eminent corporations and little-known firms. However, often a small company can bring to light an interesting, inexpensive and reliable device.

Plextor PX-128S3C - low cost SSD for PC and laptop

Budget solution for a desktop computer or laptop. It has a form factor of 2.5", which gives it versatility. The type of memory used is TLC, which is typical for inexpensive devices. The declared characteristics of writing / reading are 500/550 Mb / s. The test results showed only a slight deviation of these values.

Plextor PX-128S3C

The total amount of memory is 128 GB, the cache is 256 MB. According to the developers, the drive will be able to withstand about 35 TB of overwritten data and 1,500,000 hours of operation.

Samsung MZ-75E1T0BW

This SSD is different in that it uses more modern type 3D V-NAND memory is an improved version of TLC. It allows you to greatly increase the total volume, which is 1 TB in this SSD.

The controller is used own - Samsung MEX. Used in many similar devices and has established itself as a reliable and fast module.

Samsung MZ-75E1T0BW

Form factor - 2.5 ". And this means that the device can be used both in a stationary PC and in a laptop. The declared read/write speed is 520/540 Mb/s. Own cache is 1024 MB. The duration of operation declared by the manufacturer is 1,500,000 hours.

Western Digital Green PC SSD 240 GB

Western Digital has been in the storage business for a long time. Naturally, they could not ignore the SSD format either. This model has a capacity of 240 GB, which means that it can be used not only as a disk for the operating system, but also as the main data storage. The 2.5" form factor allows you to connect it to both a desktop PC and a laptop. Memory type - budget TLC. According to the developers, the peak speed can be 465 Mb / s for writing and 540 Mb / s for reading. However, tests show that the write speed can actually be about 200 Mb / s.

Western Digital Green PC SSD 240 GB

As for the resource, about 1,750,000 hours of operation are declared.

Samsung MZ-N5E250BW

Another representative of a well-known brand. It differs from the one already presented in that it is made in the M.2 form factor with a size of 2280 MB, that is, it is suitable for stationary PC versions. But many modern laptops are now also equipped with this slot, so you can use this drive here too. Before buying, you should make sure that the bus is on the motherboard.

Samsung MZ-N5E250BW

The volume of the device is 250 GB, the type of memory is 3D V-NAND. Own production controller - Samsung MGX. Write / read speed - 500/540 Mb / s. Buffer memory - 512 MB.

SmartBuy Ignition 4 240 Gb

A little-known brand, gradually gaining popularity. Volume disk space− 240 GB. Form factor suitable for laptops and PCs − 2.5“. Interestingly, such a budget option uses more efficient and reliable MLC memory.

SmartBuy Ignition 4 240 Gb

How to connect an SSD to a computer - the main nuances

There are no special differences from connecting a standard HDD. However, there are a couple of nuances that it is better to take care of before installing the device.

First, if SSD form factor- 2.5", then you will need to buy a special adapter - 3.5", which will allow you to securely mount the drive in the PC case. He connects with motherboard via a SATA cable. Secondly, after installing the device, you will need to go into the BIOS of the computer and make sure that the AHCI drive mode is enabled.

One of the adapter options 2.5" to 3.5"

In a laptop, you do not need to insert a separate adapter, since almost all of them support the 2.5 "standard. The connectors are firmly fixed, so you just need to “insert” the disk and close it with a lid.

SSD drive not showing up on my computer - main reasons

It often happens that an SSD drive is found in the BIOS, but does not want to be displayed in Windows. In most cases, this means that there is no volume on the device. Therefore, it must be created.

Disk Management in Windows 7

For Windows 7, you will have to go to the diskmgmt.msc utility. You can find it by searching in the start menu. The Disk Management window will open. The required SSD will show up as an unallocated space. You need to right-click on it and select "Create Volume".

Enabling SATA and AHCI in BIOS

It rarely happens that the disk is not detected in the BIOS either. In this case, it's worth starting by checking the status of the SATA controller. It must be enabled. More significant problems may arise due to motherboard incompatibility, disk failure, or a number of other reasons.

How best to buy an SSD drive for a computer and how to buy an SSD drive for a laptop - an overview table

We have collected several interesting models into one table that reflects the characteristics, compatibility with PC and laptop, prices and features of SSD.

If you have experience in managing and working with SSDs, feel free to share it in the comments.

Perfection computer technology going in different directions, allowing users to use software and overall workforce. The main competition for many years has been observed in the segments of video cards and communications, but more recently, hard drive developers have also made a small revolution. As a result, many home PC users are wondering how to choose an SSD drive? The tips below will help you find the right solution to this very important task.

Features of the SSD format

In terms of performance, the new format offers users a lot of advantages. Among them are high files, compactness, and resistance to physical damage. Unlike the usual hard drives, such drives require less time to load the OS, and the difference is clearly felt - the launch occurs in a matter of seconds. Almost any SSD drive provides high speed for optimal model from a wide range? This issue should be decided rather on the basis of reliability requirements. This is related to the fact that this format there are also disadvantages that still stop many from changing the type of drive. For example, SSD, unlike HDD, loses in durability. Therefore, a new selection criterion arises - the period of work to failure. In addition, you will have to overpay for increased performance, since with the same volume, such disks are almost several times more expensive.

Choice by volume

The most popular sizes are 64 and 128 GB. It would seem that such volumes are becoming rare even in computers of undemanding users working with traditional HDDs. But this is precisely due to the high cost of SSDs. On the other hand, there are cases when users purchase capacious storage with a huge margin, which in the future remains unclaimed. In particular, 1 TB disks can be found on the market. But such a volume justifies itself only in rare cases, especially when it comes to home PC use.

Also, when considering the question of how to choose an SSD drive for a computer according to data capacity, do not forget about the effect of volume on reading speed. As in the case of HDD, the SSD format shows different speeds depending on the capacity. Even in families of the same manufacturer, 32 GB and 64 GB models may differ in terms of performance. In other words, the smaller the volume, the higher the speed. At the same time, one can not feel a special difference at the household level. For many PC owners, the ability to fill the disk with information is much more important.

Interface Mapping

This format also differs in the type of interface. I must say that even HDDs have long been moving away from the classic PCI-Express cable, switching to connecting via SATA. As a result, even those users who do not plan to switch to non-mechanical drives, buying an HDD new format should consider this nuance. But if the old format has been acquiring the first and second generation for several years, then the SSD mainly works with SATA 3. It is this controller that is most preferred if you purchase an SSD drive for a computer.

How to choose the right interface format? It is enough to familiarize yourself with the characteristics, which will indicate type 3. In practice, this means a more stable interaction of the disk with other computer components. By the way, the marked speed of the drive is largely due to the advantages of SATA. But if, for one reason or another, a device with IDE or old generations of SATA was purchased, then you should not be upset, because manufacturers offer special adapters for connecting such drives to modern motherboards.

Memory type

The impact on the features of the device is not as obvious as in the case of the interface and volume, but it will not be superfluous to take it into account. So, there are 3 memory options - SLC, TLC and MLC formats. As for the first, it involves storing data for each cell by 1 bit. In this case, you can count on high speed and durability, but the price of such models is higher. The other two types of memory allow storage in each cell of 2 and 3 bits, respectively, for the MLC and TLC formats. And in these cases, there is an inverse relationship between the speed of work and the price at which an SSD drive for a computer is sold.

How to choose a disk in terms of memory type? Experts still recommend relying not on speed, but on durability, since this is a weak point of a non-mechanical drive. And in this regard, the SLC device will be the best option, since it allows up to 100 thousand overwrites. For comparison: the MLC and TLC formats, on average, allow 3 and 1 thousand cycles, respectively. But, again, do not forget about the price issue.

Computer and laptop models - what's the difference?

The differences between drives designed for desktop PCs and laptops are based on external characteristics and are practically unrelated to the performance of the device. Actually the classic form factor SSD is primarily focused on a laptop. This is a 2.5-inch flash drive that can be integrated into a mobile computer in its purest form. The main sizing issues are experienced by desktop users. That is, the question of how to choose an SSD drive for a computer or laptop in terms of form factor should be decided depending on how you plan to physically install the drive. Again, a 2.5-inch size is no problem for a laptop, but a typical computer might not have the appropriate connector.

There can be two ways out of the situation. Firstly, you can initially purchase a case in which there is room for a 2.5-inch drive. Secondly, if we are talking about a block model with traditional 3.5-inch bays, you will have to buy a special metal adapter that will optimally accommodate the drive.

Feedback on Intel models

Perhaps this manufacturer produces the highest quality models. But it is important to note that this product is rarely found in mass consumption. This is due to the fact that the developers are extremely responsible for the components, which leads to high quality. But the big downside Intel drives is their high cost, so the bulk of the users of these models are professionals.

Administrators and server station maintainers rave about the reliability, flawless build, and speed that an Intel SSD provides for a computer. How to choose the optimal model from this family? Unfortunately, you can’t count on budgeting, so you need to immediately prepare for high costs. You can safely purchase a model that is suitable for the main characteristics, including the same amount of data.

Reviews of Crucial models

Disks of the Crucial line, unlike the previous company, are produced for the mass segment. At the same time, some series are being developed jointly with Intel, so these drives will also have a certain quality reserve. As for the practice of use, the owners point to the stability of the work, high resource and good speed. If the question arose about how to choose an SSD drive for a computer so that it is of high quality and inexpensive, then it is quite possible to trust this company. Popular sizes of models from this manufacturer are in the range of 32-128 GB.

The world of modern electronics is actively developing, and today you will not surprise anyone with the purchase of an SSD drive. This type of solid-state drive is a relatively recent addition, but it has spread incredibly quickly. When choosing an SSD drive, very often buyers have a number of problems with a wide range of different values. At the same time, it is rather difficult to find exact solutions for them without a detailed examination. In fact, it is enough to spend just a few minutes to clearly figure out how to choose the right SSD drive for a computer or laptop in 2018-2019, while not overpaying for those fancy features that your computer will not need.

Classic hard drives are officially called HDD (eng. "Hard disk drive"). They accompanied personal computers and laptops for almost the entire history of their existence. They are the most important components, since absolutely all files are stored on them, including the operating system. Accordingly, without these details, it was impossible to start the computer.

However, in recent years there has been an increase in new type drives. We are talking, of course, about the SSD (eng. "Solid-State Drive"). Solid state drives are gradually winning the hearts of users with their speed and excellent performance. technical parameters. Even computer manufacturers are moving to SSDs, either instead of or in conjunction with HDDs. So what's the difference?

When deciding which is better to choose for a computer, a hard drive or an SSD, the user should have a clear picture of the pros and cons of both options. Of course, the advantages of a solid state drive are greater:

• increased speed of work, in particular, reading and writing information;
• heat and energy efficiency;
• compactness;
• increased resistance to damage (overheating, mechanical shock);
• silent operation.

But the hard drive also has its advantages:

• protection against electrical damage;
• low cost;
• the ability to recover information in case of loss.

SSD Selection Criteria

Solid state drives (as well as hard drives) have a number of technical characteristics that are at the same time criteria SSD selection. They include a number of parameters that determine the operation of the device: types and amounts of memory, connection methods, read and write speed, uptime resource to failure, as well as additional properties. It is worth noting that it is impossible to find the perfect combination of all parameters, but choosing a fast and high-quality SSD based on them is quite simple: you just need to familiarize yourself with and understand its technical side.

Volume

The most popular criterion for an SSD is the amount of data that can be written. The amount of information that an SSD drive can store is one of the most important parameters. Classic HDD format hard drives are traditionally equipped with 500 GB or more memory (older models). However, SSDs are smaller. But there is a perfectly logical explanation for this.

In order to choose a good SSD drive, you need to determine its role. Most often, you can find computers in which an SSD is installed along with an HDD, while the volume of the first is many times less than the second. For example, a solid state drive is rated at 60 GB, and a hard drive is rated at 500 GB. This suggests that the SSD is used only for the system, and the main one is the classic hard drive. However, laptops (usually gaming ones) have either a separate 500 GB solid-state drive (less often 1000 GB), or the same drive in combination with a HDD of about 1000 (1500) GB.

If you plan to use an SSD for the system, then buy a drive from 64 GB to 128 GB, this will be more than enough and will not hit your pocket!

Memory types

SSD drives are characterized by the use of different memory cells, which are divided into different types. There are four in total:

1. MLC. This species is the most widespread. It involves placing two bits of data in one cell. Its rewriting cycle is small (from 3,000 to 10,000 times), but the lower price eliminates this drawback.
2. SLC. In this case, there is one bit of information per cell. This architecture is suitable for powerful devices that are constantly working with huge amounts of data. Rewrite cycles can reach 100,000 times, the speed is also excellent, however SSD cost with this type of memory is much larger compared to the rest.
3. TLC. The architecture of the drive assumes that one cell corresponds to three bits of information. The number of rewriting acts does not exceed 3000 times (less often - 5000). The price of such a budget SSD is an order of magnitude lower, so lovers of savings should take a closer look at this option.
4. 3D-V-NAND. The latest development in the field of data storage. It does not use MLC or TLC, but a special flash memory, due to which the amount of information to be recorded increases per unit area. This type is still rare, but in the near future it can make a splash.

Connection methods

Connecting a solid state drive, like a hard drive, takes place inside the case of a laptop or computer using special interfaces. The latter can have various types, among which are:

• SATA II
• SATA III
• mSATA

Also, some programmers include M.2 here, but in fact it is a continuation of mSATA.

The most popular interfaces are SATA II and III. The first model is gradually being phased out, as the second has received a more technologically advanced connector and improved contacts that increase the efficiency of interaction. mSATA works on the same principle, only the model is used in compact computers due to its reduced size. The most efficient option is PCIe, which uses third-party drivers to work, due to which data transfer is several times faster.

Write/read speed

As mentioned above, one of the advantages of an SSD drive for a PC is high speed writing and reading data. Regarding this parameter, there are small reservations, the consideration of which will avoid unnecessary questions. The fact is that the read speed is usually slightly higher than the write speed, or equal to it. The range of indicators can be designated as:

• recording - 350 Mb / s
• reading - 450 Mb / s

You must always remember that the manufacturer can be a little tricky, indicating top speed, which in most cases is higher than the real one. To find out the actual picture, you can read reviews and customer reviews.

An important parameter when selecting a drive is such an indicator as IOPS (the number of arbitrary data input / output operations per second), the higher this indicator, the better, which will provide good speed when transferring large amounts of information.

For normal and comfortable operation, the IOPS value should vary between 45000 - 55000, in more expensive models this figure can reach 90000.

Uptime to failure

It is impossible to purchase without knowing the performance of the drive. The classification by type of memory has already been given above. It depends on it how many times you can overwrite the data. The most short-lived (and therefore the most economical) option is TLC. It allows 1000 to 3000 rewrite cycles. For MLC, this figure is from 3 to 5 thousand times, which is an average. And, finally, the longest service life is distinguished by solid-state drives with the SLC memory type, which can withstand up to 100,000 write cycles.

When buying a good SSD drive, don't get hung up on given parameter since even the simplest drive will be enough for you, well, at least 10 years, or even more.

Additional functions

The main task of an SSD is to store files and provide the fastest and most reliable access to data. However, there are some other features as well. For example, TRIM option. It consists in deleting data that is overwritten in a particular cell. In a hard drive for a computer, when new data is written, the old identical indicators remain, so to speak, “under the cells”. Before overwriting on the SSD, the system deletes the data from the cell and only then write new ones there. All modern SSDs support this feature, the only question is whether the OS supports it (available with MS Windows 7).

Another interesting feature is hidden area. Every high-quality SSD has it, but the user does not have access to it. The fact is that the cells in which information is stored tend to fail. However, when one of them "dies off", an automatic replacement occurs. The volume of the hidden area can be about 30% of the storage capacity. But if you want to buy an inexpensive but reliable SSD drive, then on their packages you will find an increased volume and a reserve of only 10%. This allows the user to get more memory at a lower cost.

Equipment

Finding the answer to the question of which is better to buy an SSD drive is often helped by the configuration of the disk. When buying, the seller can offer both the device itself and the kit. If the goal is to buy an inexpensive but good SSD drive, then the first option may be preferred. However, it is best to take all the components. These include cables, a 3.5" slot mounting sled, and a 2.5" USB enclosure. All this will allow you to install the drive without "dancing with a tambourine".

Choosing an SSD brand

After all the most important parameters are studied, you can proceed to the main action. Today, not every manufacturer can offer to buy a high-quality and fast SSD drive for your laptop or computer. The most popular among them is Kingston, which for many years has been selling various kinds of PC components (including HDD, USB drives). Only SSD drives from Sandisk, which came into the segment of solid state drives not so long ago, but managed to prove itself from the best side. Premium quality, but rather expensive products are offered by eminent companies Samsung, HP And Intel. Also, as reliable manufacturers of drives can be called ADATA And Transcend. The choice here depends more on the price preferences of the buyer.

Conclusion

Solid state drives are gradually expanding their “sphere of influence” and replacing classic hard drives. The lineup is expanding, component manufacturers are willingly joining this segment of the computer parts market. In view of these factors, the question of how to choose best ssd drive for the computer in 2017, is of particular relevance. However, a systematic, meaningful approach to the choice will not only allow you to get a reliable SSD drive in the price-quality ratio, but also save money that can be spent on unsuitable options bought out of inexperience.

Probably every person who is familiar with computer technology knows or at least heard of such a device as an SSD drive. What is it and what role does it play in the operation of a computer? In short, the SSD is used to record and store the user's personal data. One might argue that this is what hard drives are for. And this statement will be absolutely correct, because these components of the computer perform identical functions. So why was the SSD invented, what is it, how does it work, and how is it different from a regular HDD? All these questions can be answered in this article.

What is the difference between a hard drive and an SSD hard drive? What is this device and what are the main principles of its operation?

Today, the hard drive is the main place for storing most files on a computer. If you take it apart, you can find a rather fragile mechanism inside. It consists of magnetic plates rotating on a special head. A carriage moves between these plates, which finds and reads necessary information. The hard drive mechanism resembles a gramophone, but these devices perform different functions. Unlike the mechanism of a musical apparatus, the hard drive carriage moves at a speed of several thousand revolutions per minute and performs work related to copying and recording information.

As for the SSD, or, as it is commonly called, a solid state drive, it is used for the same purposes as a hard drive. It just works in a completely different way. There are no moving elements inside this device, but special chips for storing information are installed. A solid state drive resembles a large flash drive that can be put in place of a hard drive.

Fundamentals of Solid State Drives

The memory of SSD drives consists of special blocks, which are divided into cells, where the necessary data is stored. Everything would be fine, but the main problem arises when you need to delete or re-record the existing information. The fact is that it is impossible to remove part of the information from one block, but you have to format the entire sector. In this case, the necessary data is stored in the cells of neighboring blocks and only then is overwritten to the old place. Let's say you want to save 10 KB of data. In this case, the memory block has a capacity of 20 KB, 10 KB of which are already occupied. In this case, the information available on the disk is transferred to another location, the entire block is deleted, and only then old and new data are written. It turns out that in order to carry out one operation, the system performs several additional actions, which leads to a slowdown and accelerates the wear of the solid state drive.

To increase the performance of the device, you must use special program TRIM, or as it is sometimes called, SSD truncation. What it is and how it works, we will consider further. TRIM is not even an application, but a special command that the operating system sends to the SSD to indicate unused items. With this feature, you can immediately delete junk files, avoiding additional operations with the transfer of information to neighboring blocks. And this greatly improves the performance of the SSD. But given command not supported outdated versions operating systems. Therefore, to connect TRIM, your computer must have Windows 7 or 8 installed, Linux versions 2.66.33 or higher.

What is an SSD made of?

Having studied the differences between the two types of information storages, let's take a closer look at how SSDs are arranged, what kind of devices they are and how they function. It looks like an ordinary box with connectors for connecting to a computer. Mainly SSD disks for home use completed Sata interfaces, USB 3.0 and PCI-Express, which provide the necessary write and read speeds without any problems.

Solid state drives do not have any moving mechanical parts. Due to this, they are much more resistant to external influences. For example, an ordinary HDD is a rather fragile thing, because if the read head comes into contact with the magnetic platter during shaking or falling, this will lead to the failure of the media. But solid state drives are very different. Inside these devices, special boards are installed on which the memory chips and the controller are soldered. Some SSD drives are additionally equipped with compact batteries, which, in case of sudden shutdown Electricity provides additional power to the cache, and the data is stored on the main memory chips. Now let's take a closer look at the main components of a solid state drive.

SSD memory: what is it and what are its main functions?

Most SSD drives use NAND, or flash memory as it is also called. Such chips are used in conventional flash drives, only in solid state drives they are more reliable and have higher speed due to the presence of a controller. Due to their low cost, they are widely used in SSDs, making these devices affordable enough for most users. Another plus of this is that it is non-volatile and does not require additional power to operate.

In addition to NAND technology, RAM-SSD is sometimes used in solid state drives. This type of memory has a high speed of writing and reading data due to the use of chips used in the creation of RAM. It will require a constant connection to electricity, so SSD drives that use RAM often install additional batteries in case of a sudden power outage. Due to the high production cost of these drives, they are rarely found in home PCs and laptops. Mainly RAM-SSDs are used in computer systems large companies to increase the speed of working with databases.

Today, most drives use NAND-memory. Despite this, these SSDs differ from each other in the speed of writing, reading data and cost. It all depends on the chips used in the drive: SLC, TLC or SSD MLC. What is it and what is the difference between them? This is how different ones are designated. The most common technology is MLC, thanks to which two bits of information can be stored in one cell. TLC makes it possible to write as many as 3 bits, but this leads to faster cell wear, so this technology not very popular. The fastest and most durable is SLC memory, which can only write one bit of data per cell. Among the shortcomings, only the high cost can be distinguished, which is 2 times higher than the price of SSD MLC.

Controller

The controller is the most important element without which an SSD cannot function. What is it and what is its role, we will find out further. These devices perform the work of distributing the load between memory blocks, are responsible for reading and writing information, error correction and file compression. The controller resembles a command center where decisions related to data processing are made. It is from this detail that the speed of the solid state drive and its durability depend. The main component of the controllers is a special microprocessor, which bears the entire load. Also, the performance of the device depends on the quality of the firmware.

Quite a few companies are engaged in the production of SSD drives, because the technology for their manufacture is quite simple and requires less time than creating a classic hard drive. All that is needed is to purchase memory chips, controllers and boards where everything will be soldered. The structure is then placed in beautiful body with a corporate logo - and the product is ready for sale. But the components for solid state drives themselves are expensive, and the creation of a controller and high-quality firmware for it will also require high costs. Because of this, the cost of SSDs today is much higher than conventional HDDs.

Hybrid SSD HDD

Now let's look at the hybrid SSD HDD. What is this device and what is it intended for? Every year solid state drives are gaining more and more popularity. Technology does not stand still, and standard hard drives are gradually replacing more technologically advanced systems. SDD drives are present in many computers, but are not used as the main storage of information, but as an additional one. And all because their cost is much higher compared to conventional hard drives. To compensate for this gap between the two types of drives, a hybrid HDD SSD. What kind of device it is and what advantages it has, let's try to consider in more detail.

The hybrid drive is based on the same HDD without any changes. But in the case of these drives, chips with flash memory are also installed, which is used as a buffer zone. It copies the information that is most often used. This made it possible to increase the loading speed of some applications and the operating system itself, when compared with conventional hard drives. The maximum amount of flash memory in such hybrid SSDs is 8GB. What was the result? In fact, we have something in between a hard drive and a small solid state drive. You cannot download data or install applications to buffer memory. It is used as a backup to run priority programs that the user cannot control on their own. As for the price, the cost of hybrid drives is lower than standard SSDs, but higher than HDDs, and besides, they are not very popular in our country, so they are not sold everywhere.

Benefits of a Solid State Drive

An integral part of a modern computer is an SSD drive. We found out what kind of device it is and how it works, it remains to highlight its main pros and cons compared to conventional HDDs. Let's start with the positive aspects of solid state drives.

The most important advantage of an SSD is its incredible storage capacity. They are several times more productive than hard drives. For example, the processing speed of some drives exceeds 500 MB/s. In practice, this gives faster work of programs and the operating system itself, which loads in a matter of seconds. This is very important, because the current generation of computers has high performance, which is greatly slowed down by HDDs. But with the advent of new drives, their speed has increased significantly.

The next advantage of SSD devices is their higher resistance to external factors. They do not have such a fragile mechanism as hard drives. Thanks to this, they easily endure shaking, vibrations and moderate impacts on the body. These devices will be an excellent solution for laptops. In addition, they cope better with temperature changes.

Another advantage of the SSD is its quietness and low power consumption. Due to the fact that in hard drives there are moving mechanical elements, they emit a certain level of noise. In addition, in the working HDD condition have enough high temperature, so the coolers have to rotate in accelerated mode. But all these problems are deprived of SSD, which do not heat up, do not make noise and consume less electricity.

Flaws

Having appreciated all the advantages of solid state drives, it remains to find out what weaknesses an SSD hard drive has. What are these flaws? The first of them is the high cost of such drives. Despite the simplicity of its design, the manufacture of flash memory chips and controllers is quite a costly business. But do not be upset about this, because technology is constantly developing, and gradually the price of these goods is reduced. In a couple of years, they may well catch up in price with the HDD.

After the first shortcoming, a second one can be distinguished. Because of their high cost, SSDs have a lower capacity than HDDs. For example, the memory capacity of some HDDs is 8 TB, while SDDs have only gone up to 1 TB.

SSD memory is short-lived and after a certain number of write cycles, it fails. Although the current generation of these devices has a fairly large service lines, you must be prepared for the fact that one day the drive will stop working, and it will be problematic to restore information.

I would like to add that the SSD does not tolerate power surges quite well. If, after one of these voltage drops, it burns out, then it will be impossible to extract data. In the case of an HDD, a certain sector will fail in it, and most of it will remain intact, so you can extract all intact information.

What should you pay attention to when buying an SSD?

Having studied the information about solid state drives, many users probably wanted to purchase this device for your computer. But you don’t have to immediately run to the store and take the first product that comes up. Here are some tips to help you choose an SSD.

First you need to pay attention to the volume of the SSD. What it is? In other words, this is the amount of built-in. The higher its value, the more information can be recorded. But you don't have to buy the most expensive goods, because solid state drives are mainly used to install operating systems and applications on them, and the hard drive is still the main place to store data. Having staffed your SSD system with only 60-120 GB, you can achieve a significant increase in the speed of your computer.

An important role is played by the speed of reading and copying. The higher it is, the better, but it happens that the motherboard cannot unlock the full potential of the SSD drive due to the low bus bandwidth. It happens that it makes no sense to install smart drives in old laptops or PCs, because even after the update the system will work just like on a regular HDD. Therefore, it is worth studying the configuration of your computer, and after that go to the store. They have the largest, and for outdated IDE ports, you will need a special adapter to install an SSD.

The most important part of any SSD is the controller. It is this detail that controls all the processes associated with the processing of information. The durability of the entire device depends on how well it is made, so it is recommended to give preference to proven and well-established manufacturers. The leaders in production are SandForce, Marvell, Intel, Indilinx.

In the end, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the drive. For PC, this is not so important, because in system unit you can install any SSD, but laptops can have problems.

Basic Rules for Operating Solid State Drives

After reviewing the reviews of users and experts, we can conclude that an integral part of a modern computer is an SSD hard drive. What it is and how it works, we have already considered. Now you need to learn how to use it correctly. Strange as it may sound, but in order to understand the full benefits of solid state drives, you need to follow a few simple rules.

No need to fill all available memory to capacity. Many neglect this rule, because SSDs have a considerable price, so users buy small drives and fully load them with necessary and not very information. But we must remember that if you leave less than 25% of free space, then the data processing speed will decrease significantly. The point is that what more memory, the higher the number of free blocks where data can be written. When there is too little space left, the information is distributed among the cells of neighboring blocks, and this leads to a decrease in performance.

It is worth remembering that with the help of solid state drives you can significantly increase the speed of your computer, so it is recommended to install the operating system, applications and demanding games on them. But it is worth using the HDD as the main storage of information. It will be more economical and practical, because they can easily handle the playback of audio and video files no worse than an SSD.

It is best to have one of the latest operating systems installed on your computer. For example, Windows XP or Vista are poorly optimized for working with solid state drives and do not support the TRIM command.

If you are building a powerful computer or want to speed up an old one, then an SSD will come in handy. Finally, the cost of these drives has dropped enough that they can be considered as a reasonable alternative. hard drives(HDD).

The following SSD features will help you choose best drive compatible with your computer and tailored to your needs.

1. Which form factor to choose: SSD 2.5″, SSD M.2 or other

SSD 2.5″

This form factor is the most common. An SSD looks like a small box that resembles an ordinary hard drive. 2.5″ SSDs are the cheapest, but at the same time, their speed is enough for most users.

Compatibility SSD 2.5″ with computers

An SSD of this form factor can be installed in any desktop computer or laptop that has an open bay for 2.5-inch drives in its case. If your system only has room for an old 3.5″ hard drive, you can put a 2.5″ SSD in that as well. But in this case, look for an SSD model that comes with a special lock.

Like modern HDDs, a 2.5″ SSD is connected to the motherboard using the SATA3 interface. This connection provides throughput up to 600 MB/s. If you have an older motherboard with a SATA2 connector, you can still connect a 2.5″ SSD, but throughput storage will be limited old version interface.

SSD M.2

A more compact form factor, due to which it is suitable even for especially thin ones, in which there is no place for a 2.5 ″ SSD. It looks like an oblong stick, it is installed not in a separate compartment of the case, but directly on the motherboard.

Each M.2 drive uses one of two interfaces to connect to the board: SATA3 or PCIe.

PCIe is several times faster than SATA3. If you choose the first one, then there are a few more things to consider: the version of the interface and the number of data lines connected to the connector.

• How newer version PCIe, the higher the bandwidth (data transfer rate) of the interface. Two versions are common: PCIe 2.0 (up to 1.6 GB / s) and PCIe 3.0 (up to 3.2 GB / s).
• The more data lines connected to the SSD connector, the higher its bandwidth again. The maximum number of lines in an M.2 SSD is four, in this case, in the description of the drive, its interface is designated as PCIe x4. If there are only two lines, then - PCIe x2.

M.2 SSD Compatibility with Computers

Before buying an M.2 SSD, you need to make sure it will fit your motherboard. To do this, first check the physical, and then the software compatibility of the connector on the drive with the slot on the board. Then you need to find out the length of the drive and compare it with the allowable length of the slot allocated for M.2 in your system.

1. Physical compatibility of interfaces

Each connector on the motherboard, designed to connect M.2 format drives, has a special cutout (key) of one of two types: B or M. At the same time, the connector on each M.2 drive has two B + M cutouts at once, less often only one of two keys: B or M.

You can connect to the B-connector on the board with a B-connector. To the M-connector, respectively, a drive with an M connector. SSDs, the connectors of which have two M + B cutouts, are compatible with any M.2 slots, regardless of the keys in the latter.

So first make sure your motherboard has an M.2 SSD slot at all. Then find out the key of your connector and select a drive whose connector is compatible with this key. Key types are usually indicated on connectors and slots. In addition, you can find all the necessary information in the documents for the motherboard and drive.

2. Logical compatibility of interfaces

In order for the SSD to fit your motherboard, consider physical compatibility its connector with a connector is not enough. The fact is that the drive connector may not support the logical interface (protocol) that is used in the slot of your board.

Therefore, when you figure out the keys, find out which protocol is implemented in the M.2 connector on your board. It can be SATA3 and/or PCIe x2 and/or PCIe x4. Then choose an M.2 SSD with the same interface. See the device documentation for information about supported protocols.

3. Size compatibility

Another nuance that determines the compatibility of the drive with the motherboard is its length.

In the characteristics of most boards, you can find the numbers 2260, 2280 and 22110. The first two digits in each of them indicate the supported drive width. It is the same for all M.2 SSDs and is 22 mm. The next two digits are the length. Thus, most boards are compatible with drives with a length of 60, 80 and 110 mm.

Before purchasing M.2, be sure to check the supported length of the drive, which is listed in the documentation for the motherboard. Then choose the one that matches that length.

As you can see, the issue of M.2 compatibility is very confusing. Therefore, just in case, consult on this matter with the sellers.

Less popular form factors

Your computer case may not have a 2.5” SSD bay, and your motherboard may not have an M.2 slot. The owner of a thin laptop may encounter such an atypical situation. Then for your system you need to choose a 1.8 ″ or mSATA SSD - check in the documents for your computer. These are rare form factors that are more compact than 2.5 ”SSDs, but are inferior in data transfer speed to M.2 drives.

In addition, thin laptops from Apple may not support traditional form factors either. In them, the manufacturer installs a proprietary SSD format, the characteristics of which are comparable to M.2. So, if you have a thin laptop with an apple on the lid, check the supported type of SSD in the documentation for the computer.

External SSDs

In addition to internal, there are also external drives. They vary greatly in shape and size - choose the one that will be more convenient for you.

As for the interface, they connect to computers via USB port. For full compatibility, make sure the port on your computer and the drive connector support the same USB standard. USB 3 and USB Type-C specifications provide the highest data transfer speed.

2. Which memory is better: MLC or TLC

According to the number of bits of information that can be stored in one cell of flash memory, the latter is divided into three types: SLC (one bit), MLC (two bits) and TLC (three bits). The first type is relevant for servers, the other two are widely used in consumer drives, so you have to choose from them.

MLC memory is faster and more durable, but more expensive. TLC is correspondingly slower and endures fewer write cycles, although the average user is unlikely to notice the difference.

TLC memory is cheaper. Choose it if economy is more important for you than speed.

The type of mutual arrangement of memory cells can also be indicated in the description of the drive: NAND or 3D V-NAND (or simply V-NAND). The first type implies that the cells are arranged in one layer, the second - in several layers, which allows you to create an SSD increased capacity. According to the developers, the reliability and performance of 3D V-NAND flash memory is higher than that of NAND.

3. Which SSD is faster

In addition to the type of memory, other characteristics, such as the model of the controller installed in the drive and its firmware, also affect the performance of the SSD. But these details are often not even indicated in the description. Instead, they feature final read and write speed indicators, which are easier for the buyer to navigate. So, when choosing between two SSDs, other things being equal, take the drive whose declared speeds are higher.

Remember that the manufacturer indicates only theoretically possible speeds. In practice, they are always lower than stated.

4. How much storage is right for you

Of course, one of the most important characteristics when choosing a drive is its volume. If you are buying an SSD to make it into fast work operating system, a 64 GB device is sufficient. If you are going to install games on the SSD or store on it large files then choose the size that suits your needs.

But do not forget that the capacity of the drive greatly affects its cost.

Buyer's checklist

• If you need a drive for office tasks or watching movies, choose a 2.5″ or M.2 SSD with SATA3 interface and TLC memory. Even this budget SSD will run much faster than a regular hard drive.
• If you are doing other tasks that require high storage performance, choose M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and MLC memory.
• Before buying, carefully check the compatibility of the drive with your computer. If in doubt, consult the sellers on this issue.