How to choose an SSD disk

If SSD disks are installed in relatively old computers and laptops in the same way as conventional HDDs, then when choosing a drive for a “fresh” device, it is worth considering a lot of parameters.

How to choose an SSD drive: characteristics to consider

When choosing an SSD disk for a computer or laptop, it is worth considering the following parameters:

1. Physical size (for drives made in the classic form factor);

2. Connection standard;

3. Type of flash memory cells;

4. Manufacturer Controller.

The volume of the drive (in GB) should be chosen on the basis of its needs, and it does not affect its performance or compatibility with the motherboard.

Physical size

SSDs that connect over the SATA bus are made in two physical sizes — 3.5 and 2.5 inches. The first are designed for installation in system blocks. The second is supposed to be used for a laptop.

However, a 2.5-inch SSD drive can be installed in the system unit using a special adapter sled or even without it. And the disks of both these sizes can be used as external ones - if it is possible to provide sufficient power and to find a suitable controller.

Connection standard

There are three standards (slots) by which SSD drives can be connected to the computer's motherboard — SATA, M.2, and PCIe.

SATA is the most universal standard that can be found in almost all computers and laptops. It is through him supposed to connect the classic hard drives. Since the main task of SSD-drives - ensuring maximum system performance, it is impractical to connect them to SATA 2 buses or less.

M.2 - a new standard for connecting SSD-drives. It can be "met" in the most modern motherboards and laptops. Like SATA, this standard exists in several generations:

1. PCI-E 2.0 x2. The first generation of the standard, which provides a data rate of 800 MB / s;

2. PCI-E 3.0 x4. The second generation of the standard, which provides a data rate of 3 GB / s.

Also, the tires themselves are different SSD-drives. Drives with a PCI-E bus provide maximum performance, and with a SATA bus - the broadest compatibility.

Despite software compatibility, the above standards are not compatible at the hardware level. In particular, for PCI-E 2.0 x2 a slot with a B-key is used; and for PCI-E 3.0 x4, with an M-key. However, the vast majority of SATA SSD M.2-drives come with a key M + B, which allows you to install them in any of these connectors. But PCI-E SSD M.2 drives support only one key, as a result of which it is necessary to check their compatibility with the motherboard.

The third parameter, which is worth considering when choosing an M.2-drive - physical size. It exists in three forms:

1. 2242;

2. 2260;

3. 2280.

The first two digits in the number are the width of the SSD drive, the second is its length. It is self-evident that compatibility here is only the opposite, i.e. In the slot for the 2280 disk, you can insert disks on the 2280, 2260 and 2242; but in the slot for 2242 - only 2242.

The PCIe connectivity standard (PCI-E, PCI-Express) is all the same M.2 drives, only made on a separate expansion card designed for installation in a PCIe slot.This connector is found in almost every computer, so they have a very wide compatibility. Unless in old system units to install OS on the similar drive it will not turn out, as it demands installation of drivers.

Type of flash memory cells

Since SSD-drives use flash memory technology (except for a slightly revised one), their performance depends on the type of cells. There are three varieties of it - SLC, MLC and TLC.

1. SLC-drives (Single-Level Cell) are characterized by maximum speed and reliability. However, due to the physical limitations of the matrix of memory cells, their maximum capacity is only 64 GB. It is more expedient to use such drives as system disks, installing Windows OS and the most necessary programs on them - and store user files somewhere else.

2. MLC drives (Multi-Level Cell) have lower speed and reliability. But the volume is much larger - up to 2 TB. Drives of this type can be used for OS and for user data.

3. TLC-drives (Triple-Level Cell) are now quite rare due to their serious limitation - their cells withstand only 1000 rewriting cycles, after which they become unusable. To purchase strongly not recommended. On the other hand, they are very cheap and have a large volume. It is advisable to use them in multimedia computers, relatively old laptops and media centers.

Controller

The controller is an important functional element of the SSD-drive. It is he who controls the reading and writing of information in the flash memory cells. Therefore, the drive speed directly depends on its characteristics.

There are several hundred controller models on the market, and a few dozen manufacturers. Therefore, it is advisable to choose exactly by the manufacturer. The largest:

1. SandForce - works with areas of flash memory cells almost directly, therefore, provides maximum speeds of both reading and writing. However, performance with a high disk load drops sharply and is no longer restored (even after formatting);

2. Marvell - inexpensive and at the same time very high quality controllers that maintain performance over time;

3. Intel reads very quickly, writes relatively slowly. It is advisable to use in servers;

4. JMicron is a very cheap controller. The disadvantage is an extremely small amount of cache, which, under load, can significantly hang the system until it is cleared;

5. Indilinx is an inexpensive controller that provides very high performance, but only on small capacity SSD drives;

6. Samsung - with this controller, it is advisable to purchase only models of SSD-drives, included in the line of 850 EVO or PRO. In his latest versions, he began to work well with flash memory, thereby providing high performance that persists over time and does not depend on disk size or type of read / write. In previous generations, there was a serious problem with the loss of speed on an inconsistent recording.

Manufacturers

Among the manufacturers of SSD-drives can be identified:

1. SanDisk, Toshiba, Western Digital, Hitachi - specialize in the production of HDD-drives. SSD-drives from these companies are quite high reliability, but at the same time and expensive;

2. Transcend, Silicon Power, A-Data - specialize in the production of flash drives. SSD-drives from these companies usually have a high speed and a relatively low price. However, it is worth considering the type of flash memory cells - TLC is used in many models;

3. Samsung - produces very fast and reliable drives of MLC and SLC standards. However, its products differ by perhaps the highest price on the market;

4. Intel launches a single line of Optane SSDs.At the same time, these disks are compatible exclusively with Kabu Lake processors, are notable for high price and are intended for use as an “external cache memory” for traditional HDDs. Buying them is not particularly advisable. But they have a very high reliability - more than other types of SSD-drives.

5. Ultrabudgetary SSDs from other companies, such as Smartbuy or Leven, can only be used as an “entry-level device” and you should not expect high reliability from them.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.