Appearance on the market relatively new technology Data storage causes many questions from users. What is SSD? Is it worth putting it instead of the usual hard disk? Is he good, how are they talking about him? After reading this article to the end, you will answer all the questions set, which will allow you to decide whether you need to change something in your computer.

Let's start with the concept: SSD is a solid-state drive that uses NAND memory, which does not require electricity to save data. In essence, SSD is a spacious flash drive, which is characterized by a high speed recording and reading information.

Comparison with HDD.

To spend parallels with a regular hard disk, you first need to go deep into the theory and see how HDD works.

HDD is a set of metal disks rotating on the spindle. Information is written to the surface of the disks of a small mechanical head. When you copy something, create new file. Or run the program, head moving, looking for a place of recording. For clarity, imagine a vinyl record - only instead of the needle there will be a mechanical reading head.

Solid state drives have no moving mechanical parts.

Other advantages of SSD:

• Fast response to user actions.
• Silent work.
• Low power consumption (twice less than HDD).
• No overheating.

These are only the main advantages of solid-state drives that the user can "feel". However, the question is that the best HDD or SSD continues to set many users, so let's compare the characteristics of these two types of drives:

1. SSD speed is higher, since the step of mechanical search for the desired location disappears on the disk surface. Data access time is reduced 100 times - the system installed on the SSD begins to literally fly compared to the use of HDD.
2. The lack of mechanical moving parts contributes to the silent operation of the drive and an increase in its life expectancy. HDD most often fails due to mechanical damage - SSD does not exist such problems.
3. The SSD temperature always keeps at an optimal level, even if it is not cooling it with a cooler. The HDD is overheated without cooling, which leads to malfunctions of software and hardware properties.

But we will be objective: there is SSD and disadvantages. First of all, it is the price that still remains high enough and directly depends on the volume. Another problem is a limit on the number of overwriting cycles. HDD can be replenished with data and clean as much as you like; SSD has a restriction, but it is difficult to achieve it in practice.

All SSD drives have a warranty service life of 3-5 years, however, they usually function much more, so you should not focus on these figures.

If you cannot choose between SSD and HDD, that is, the hybrid version is SSHD. Such drives combine the dignity of both technologies, however, the increase in speed will notice only when loading operating system. Recording and reading data will be made at the same level as HDD, therefore, such hybrids do not use much popular among users.

Choice rules

So, you decided that it was time to abandon the outdated hard disk and install a solid-state drive in the computer - dealt with, why it is needed and what its advantages over HDD has. However, there is another question here: how to choose SSD?

Stores present drives with different form factors, controllers and prices, so it's hard to figure out what is suitable for you. In order not to feel uncertain in a conversation with a consultant who will certainly want to sell SSD more expensive, try to choose the drive according to the parameters below.

Volume

As already noted, one of the main deficiencies of SSD is the price rigid to the volume of the drive. The minimum container today is 60 GB. If you consider that installed Windows 7 requires 16-20 GB depending on the bit, it becomes clear that 60 GB is enough except for installation of the system and a dozen programs necessary for the operation.

If you want to record on SSD games and heavy graphic applications type Corel or Photoshop, then consider drives with more than 120 GB.

Speed

Any drive (SSD here is no exception) There are two speed indicators: recording and reading. The higher these values, the better, however, remember that the maximum speed is usually indicated in the characteristics. The real value can be found only in practice with special programs. If the drive has long been on the market, then on the Internet you can try to find its test tests from users.

Interface and Form Factor

Most modern SSD drives are made in 2.5 form factor with SATA interface support 3. But there may be other, more expensive options:

• PCI card, installed directly in the motherboard slot.
• External SSD Drive.
• MSATA disk for installation in laptops and compact computers.

As for the interface: All new SSDs are issued with sATA interface 3, but if you have on motherboard An older controller (first or second generation) is installed, the drive can still be connected anyway. However, there is one limitation: the transfer rate is determined the smallest meaning. That is, if you connect SATA 3 to SATA 2, then the speed will be determined by the SATA 2 bandwidth.

HDD for computers have a 3.5-inch form factor, sets SSD. 2.5 You will need a special adapter, which is often called "Salazki". It is a small shelf made of metal, which is suspended at the place of installation of the disk.

By the way, using a special adapter you can install SSD instead of a DVD in a laptop. Many users pull out an unused drive and put a solid-state drive on its place, to which the operating system is then installed. Standard hDD The laptop is at the same time completely cleaned and then used as a storage of personal files.

Memory and controller

There are three types of memory, different from each other by the amount of information bits in one cell - SLC (1 bit), MLC (2 bits) and TLC (3 bits). The first type is outdated and is practically not used now, so if you see it in the characteristics, pass by such a drive.

MLC is the most common type of memory, choose it. It has its drawbacks, but there is no adequate alternative yet, since TLC is just starting to appear in the SSD market and is still very expensive.

With controllers like a similar situation: the most popular among manufacturers and common among users is Sandforce technology, increasing the speed of the disk by compressing data before recording.

But the Sandforce controllers have one disadvantage that may seem essential to someone: if the drive to the limit fills information, then after it is cleaned, the recording speed is not returned to the original state, that is, it becomes lower. However, this problem is solved simply: do not clog memory until the last byte, and the speed does not fall.

There are other, more expensive options: Intel, Indilinx, Marvell. If the budget allows you to better pay attention to solid-state drives with controllers from these companies.

Manufacturer

The last parameter that requires your attention is a manufacturer. Of course, in various forums you can find a lot of posts that it is better to choose Kingston or, let's, Silicon Power, as they specialize in the production of drives of different types.

However, this is not quite the right statement: companies that really produce NAND flash memory are much less than brands in the market. Own production (and development department) possess:

• Intel.
• Samsung.
• SanDisk.
• Crucial.

OCZ, for example, before recently, did not have any developments and only recently acquired the manufacturer of InDilinx controllers. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to the above characteristics, and manufacturers keep in mind last.

Work with a solid-state drive

After a successful purchase and successful installation of the SSD system, you turn on the computer and surprise how quickly everything began to work. In order for such anchorage, it is saved as long as possible, follow the simple rules for the operation of solid-state drives:

• Install the system that supports the Trim command (Windows 7 and above, Mac OS X 10.6.6.6, LINUX 2.6.33).
• Try not to fill the disk completely - the recording speed will decrease and will not recover (relevant for the SandForce controller).
• Keep your personal files on HDD. Do not remove the hard drive if it works - keep music, movies, photos and other data on it, access to which does not require high speed.
• Increase volume random access memory And if possible, do not use the paging file.

Following this simple rules, you will extend the service life of the solid-state drive and can avoid premature reduction in the speed of its work.

In this article I will try to explain to you what is SSD diskWhat is his difference from a conventional hard disk, I will tell about its advantages and disadvantages, and you will learn what parameters (criteria) should choose the SSD disk when buying.

This today's article on SSD drives was not born by chance. It turned out, very many readers do not know what it is.

So, after my description of the SSD LIFE program, the absolute majority of users rushed to check this utility their usual hard drives, because of what the confusion came out in the comments. There and promised to write more details about SSD drives - I perform.

What is SSD disk

The "dry language" definition of the SSD disk sounds like this: solid State Drive (SSD. SOLID-STATE DRIVE) - a computer non-mechanical storage device based on memory chips.

You can hardly imbued with this miser definition. Now I will try to explain what the SSD disk is "wet tongue", as they say - on the fingers.

I will come from far away ... First you need to remember (or find out for the first time) What is an ordinary computer hard disk (it is also called hard drive).

Hard disk (HDD) is a device in your computer that stores all data (programs, movies, images, music ... Operating room itself windows system) And it looks like this ...

The information on the hard disk is recorded (and read) by moving the cells on the magnetic plates, which rotate with the wild speed. Over the plates (and between them) wear, like a fright, special carriage with the reading head.

The whole thing is buzzing and moves constantly. In addition, this is a very "thin" device and is afraid of a simple dryer during its work, not to mention the fall on the floor, for example (reading heads will meet with rotating disks and hi-stored information on the disk).

But now the hardware drive (SSD disc) is released on the scene. This is the same device for storing information, but not based on rotating magnetic disks, but on memory chips, as mentioned above. Such myself, a big flash drive.

Nothing rotating, moving and buzzing! Plus - just a crazy recording speed \\ reading data!

Left - Hard disk, right - SSD drive.

It's time to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of SSD drives ...

Benefits of SSD disks

1. Work speed

This is the fattest plus of these devices! Changes your old hard disk on the flash drive you do not recognize the computer!

Before the appearance of SSD disks, the slowest device in the computer was just a hard disk. He, with its ancient technology from the last century, incredibly slowed down the enthusiasm of the rapid processor and the Shortiest RAM.

2. Noise level \u003d 0 dB

It is logical - no moving details. In addition, these discs do not heat at their work, so cooling coolers are less common and work is not so intense (creating noise).

3. Impact and vibration

Watched video on the network - the connected and working SSD-disk was shaking, dropped on the floor, knocked on it ..., and he continued to work quietly! No comments.

4. Small weight

Not a huge plus, of course, but still - hard disks are heavier than their modern competitors.

5. Low power consumption

Wave without numbers - the duration of the battery of my old laptop has increased by more than one hour.

Disadvantages of SSD drives

1. High cost

It is at the same time the most restraining user disadvantage, but also very temporary - prices for such drives constantly and rapidly fall.

2. Limited number of overwriting cycles

Normal, medium SSD-disk based on flash memory with MLC technology is able to produce approximately 10,000 reading cycles \\ write information. But more expensive type of SLC memory can already live 10 times longer (100,000 rewriting cycles).

As for me, so in both cases the flash drive can easily work out at least 3 years! It's about the average life cycle home ComputerAfter which the configuration update is updated, replacing components for more modern, fast and cheaper.

Progress does not stand still and tadpole from manufacturers already invented new technologies that significantly increase the lifetime of SSD disks. For example, RAM SSD or FRAM technology, where the resource is though both limited, but practically unattainable in real life (up to 40 years in continuous read / write mode).

3. The inability to restore remote information

Remote information from the SSD drive will not be able to restore any special utility . There are simply no such programs.

If, with a large voltage jump in the usual hard disk, only the controller burns in 80% of cases, then in SSD disks, this controller is on the board itself, along with memory chips and combat the entire drive - hi family photo album.

This danger is practically reduced to zero in laptops and when using a uninterrupted power supply.

Tire bandwidth

Remember, I advised you, how to choose a flash drive? So, when you select a flash drive, the speed of reading \\ data records also has a paramount value. The higher this speed is the better. But it should be remembered about the bandwidth of the tire of your computer, or rather, the motherboard.

If your laptop or stationary computer is completely old - it makes sense to buy an expensive and fast SSD disk. He simply will not be able to work even half of his capabilities.

So that it was clearer, voice the bandwidth of various tires (data transmission interface):

IDE (PATA) - 1000 mbit / s. This is a very ancient interface for connecting devices to the motherboard. To connect the SSD drive to such a bus, a special adapter is needed. The meaning of the use of the described discs in this case is an absolute zero.

SATA - 1 500 Mbit / s. Already more fun, but not too much.

SATA2 - 3 000 mbit / s. The most common time of the tire at the moment. With such a tire, for example, my drive works half of its capabilities. He needs ...

SATA3 - 6 000 Mbit / s. This is quite another thing! Here is a SSD disk and show yourself in all its glory.

So before buying, find out what a bus on your motherboard, as well as what the drive itself is supported and make a decision on the feasibility of purchase.

Here, for example, as I chose (and what was guided) my own Hyperx 3K 120 GB. Read speed - 555 MB / s, and data recording speed - 510 MB / s. This disk works in my laptop now exactly half of its capabilities (SATA2), but exactly twice as fast as a regular hard disk.

Over time, he moves in gaming computer Children, where there is SATA3 and it will demonstrate there all its power and all the speed of work without deterrent (outdated, slow data transmission interfaces).

We conclude: if you have a SATA2 bus in your computer and does not plan to use a disk in another (more powerful and modern) computer - buy disk with throughput Not higher than 300 MB / s, which will be significantly cheaper and at the same time faster twice the current hard disk.

Form factor

Also note when choosing and buying a flash drive to form factor (size and dimensions). It can be 3.5 "(inches) - larger and slightly cheaper, but the laptop does not fit or 2.5" - less and fit in any laptop (for stationary computers usually completed with special adapters).

Thus, it is more practical to buy a disk in the form factor 2.5 "- and you can install anywhere and sell (if that) is easier. Yes, and places takes less in the system unit, which improves the cooling of the entire computer.

IOPS indicator

An important IOPS factor (the number of I / O operations per second), the higher this indicator, the faster the drive will work with a large amount of files.

Chip memory

Memory chips are divided into two main types of MLC and SLC. The cost of SLC chips is much higher and the work resource is 10 times larger than that of MLC memory chips, but when it is properly operation, the service life of the MLC memory chips is at least 3 years.

Controller

This is the most important detail of SSD drives. The controller manages the operation of the entire drive, distributes the data, monitors the wear of the memory cells and evenly distributes the load. I recommend to give preference to proven time and well-proven controllers Sandforce, Intel, Indilinx, Marvell.

SSD memory

It will mostly use SSD only under the placement of the operating system, and all the data (movies, music, etc.) is better stored on the second, hard disk. With this option, it is enough to buy a disk size of ~ 60 GB. Thus, you can save a lot and get the same acceleration of the computer (in addition, the service life will increase).

Again, I will give an example to my decision - on the network sold (very much for cheap) Special containers for hard drives, which in 2 minutes are inserted into the laptop instead of an optical CD drive (which I used a couple of times in four years). Here you have a great solution - old disc to the location of the drive, and the new SSD - to the place of the regular hard disk. It was better impossible to come up.

And finally, a couple of interesting facts:

Why is a hard disk are often called hard drive? Even in the early 1960s, IBM has released one of the first hard drives and the number of this development was 30 - 30, which coincided with the designation of the popular riding weapons Winchester (Winchester), so such a jargon name to all hard disks passed.

I only observe the program! Any claims to their manufacturers!

If you look at the modern laptop or personal ComputerYou will probably see in the list of components for the presence of a solid-state drive. This form of data warehouse on the market is no longer the first year, but only recently was perceived by the industry and consumers as a viable alternative to traditional hard disks.

So, what is the SSD solid state drive and what is it in comparison with classic hard drives - HDD?

What is a solid-state drive

What kind of strange word is? Solid-state? The name comes from the English word "Solid", which translated means "solid state". Under solid state meant electronic circuitFully built from semiconductors and representing from itself, in fact, the usual chip (green, with a bunch of incomprehensible "tracks" on it).

Semiconductor microcircuit

"M-yes, but it was always so in all the devices that we broke in childhood" - they thought some, and maybe many. But no, or rather, yes, but no. That is, yes, in those devices that you and I broke in childhood, really, have already been completely and near the green chips, but before that, a long time ago, most devices consisted of vacuum tubes, various wires, switches and heaps of others All sorts of details. A good example of such a device is transistor radio whose copies of the USSR and the beginning of the 90s may remember.

So, Solid-State Drive is a solid-state drive, a device for storing digital data based on a semiconductor memory microcircuit. I will not deepen in subtleties (yes, I don't know much of these subtleties - Hehe), in order not to clog your brain with an extra, no one unnecessary garbage.

The times of vintage transistors have long been riveted in the fly, and in our time almost all electronic devices Made on the basis of semiconductors, including the same radio.

But, if we talk about such a niche of the market as "data carriers", then, until recently, the ball ruled us well-known hard drives, whose principle of work is based on interaction magnetic disks, not semiconductors, as in SSD.

Now you can argue, they say, such data warehouses exist for a long time in the form of Flash drives connected to a USB connector. And you, by and large, will be right, because SSD and Flash use the same type of energy-saving memory schemes that retain their information even in the absence of nutrition. The difference lies in the form factor and capacity of the drives, as well as the fact that the Flash drive is intended for external use In a computer system, and SSD to place inside a computer, instead of a traditional hard disk, or next to it.

Most SSD are very similar to the classic HDD, the difference is only in the form factor (roughly speaking, in the size of the landing place). Hard drives, as a rule, have a form factor 3.5 "and that are such landing places equipped with system blocks recent years. SSD sizes are more compact, respectively, the form factor is smaller - 1.8 "and 2.5". But, this does not mean that such SSDs cannot be installed in old buildings, because the problem of compatibility is solved using a special carriage, or with the help of improvised means and fantasy.

Some SSDs are externally more similar to memory card chips than on HDD, because they are simply a microcircuit that has a connector for connecting. Such solid-state drives include models with M.2 and PCI-Express form factor.

There are still, which combine the favorable sides of HDD and solid-state drives. Form factor and the amount of memory they have the same as hard disksBut at the same time they have some pleasant SSD abilities.

Why use SSD.

Solid state drives have a number of advantages compared to magnetic hard drives and they are due to the fact that there are no moving parts in SSD, while in HDD there are engines to rotate magnetic plates and drive heads. All storage facilities on a solid-state drive are processed by Flash memory chips, and this gives three obvious advantages:

• Lower power - This is a key factor, why the use of SSD in portable computers has become so in demand, because, unlike hard drives, the SSD does not require power for engines, respectively, the energy consumption is significantly reduced;
• Quick data access - Since the drive does not need to spin the disk and move the heads, the data is read and recorded with incredibly fast speed, which adds a lot of pleasant sensations in the use of a PC or laptop;
• High reliability - Hard discs are very fragile and sensitive to various external factors. Even a small shake or fall is enough to cause problems in the HDD. Since there are no moving parts in SSD, and the data is stored in the chip, the likelihood of damage to the disk from a random fall or from transportation in the car is much smaller.

In the aggregate, these factors make what is happening now - gradual displacement from the market of magnetic hard drives. But, since the cost of SSD is still quite large, the full migration of users with HDD on SSD will take place not one year, and then dozens of years. By the way, about it.

Why SSD is not used on all PC

The main limiting factor in the use of solid-state drives in portable and desk computers is their high cost. Recently, SSD, of course, became more accessible, since the price of devices decreased to reasonable values, but one megabyte on SSD is still about three times more expensive than the same megabyte on HDD. And even more, after all, the higher the capacity of the disk, the more severe the difference in price.

Capacity is also an important factor in the adoption of solid-state drives as a single non-alternative technology for storing data. The average portable computer, equipped with SSD, will have a memory capacity from 128 to 256 GB. It is approximately equivalent to the fact that several years ago put in laptops - today most laptops are equipped with a 500 GB HDD capacity and more. Desktop systems have even greater imbalance between SSD and hard drives, since the average PC is equipped with an HDD of 1 TB.

Therefore, at the moment, the complete transition of users on SSD is not appropriate, due to the greatest value and a small volume. But, in fact, it's even rather soon in the first than in the second, because there is SSD and on 4 GB, but they cost enough serious investments. In this regard, the second reason rather follows from the first - very high price on devices.

13. 03.2017

Dmitry Vasiairova Blog.

What are the funny hard drives?

Hello, readers. Today we will talk about what SSD drive is. For some ordinary users with a computer, the concept of SSD - solid-state disks are new and incomprehensible.

After reading this article, you will not only understand what it is about, but also be able to support the conversation about this device And correctly choose it for yourself. After all, the old iron goes down in history and each of us sooner or later you have to change it. What do modern developments look like? Read more.

What is a solid-state drive?

A solid-state drive, which in English is called as "Solid-State Drive" (SSD), is a storage device based on memory chips.

The situation was not particularly cleared, right?

I will not tomatize more and I will explain easier: this is a semblance of a flash drive, which is replaced by work, but has another configuration and technology of work, and also works faster and has large memory volumes.

If you read this article, most likely in your computer installed a conventional hard drive: it has plates, read and write heads that are spinning with mad speed. Because of this, the screw makes noise. With a solid-state disk, this cannot be, because it represents only a microcircuit - no torque and buzzing mechanisms.

So the HDD and SSD differ from the inside:

Types of microcircuits

Solid state drives are different depending on the specifics of storage in chips:

Advantages of SSD.

In addition to silent, the modern drive has such advantages:

• Strength. He is not afraid of blows and vibrations, unlike the usual HDD disk. The latter must be protected from shaking, because if the reading heads will fall on the spinning wheels, you can say goodbye to the photos of photographs, reporting documentation and other important data that you store on the screw.
• Small size. Compared with conventional screws, SSD is much easier and less.
• Low power consumption.
• Incredibly high data exchange rate. This is the most important plus.

disadvantages

As they say, not without a spoon of tar:

• High price. Most likely, it is not for long, because now the cost of solid-state drives is gradually decreasing.
• The inability to recover data.
  If in the event of a hard disk breakdown there is a chance to get some of the information, then do this in SSD will not work in any way - programs or any ways simply do not exist.

Why? I will explain on the example. If the voltage drops in the usual hard drive, only the controller is often combined, but it is located next to the memory microcircuit.
Consequently, if something comes out, then everything is combined entirely.

• Limited number of overwriting cycles. This lack, many may not even notice, because the MLC disc is able to work on average 3-4 years (this is only in theory), and more expensive SLC - even longer.

Moreover, for this period, as a rule, any computer requires one or another update. But there is also good news: FRAM technology has already been developed, capable of working in continuous read and record mode for 40 years. Not weak?

In addition to the varieties of microcircuits, SSDs differ in several criteria. They need to be considered when choosing. We will analyze more.

Interface

This parameter means which connection type has a drive. Data speed depends on it. Main types of bandwidths:

• Works at a speed of 1000 Mbps. This is an outdated version, but still occurs sometimes.
• SATA (1500 Mbps) works a little faster.
• SATA2 (3000 Mbps) is more speed.
• Want to fully feel the capabilities of SSD? Choose the 3rd generation of tires whose speed is twice as much as the previous one (up to 6000 Mbps).
• There are still devices with the connection type PCI EXPRESS.. Do you want to make a super-speed car from your computer? Prefer PCI-E, because it works even faster than SATA3. This interface is able to transmit data at a speed of 2 GB / s.

SSD Example with PCI-Express Connection Interface

• There is another tire. This is a M.2 interface (in theory should develop speed faster even than PCI-E), but so far such discs are not quite popular, and the manufacturers have not yet learned to make quick products using its potential. The advantage is still that such devices have a very not large size.

Example SSD drives with M.2 interface

Form factor

This criterion indicates the size of the drive.

SSD with sizes in a 3.5-inch device. Basically come under the server computers, they are rarely used at home.

Just know what they are :-)

Mostly the most commonly encountered 2.5 inch devices.

The format "2242" is a small scarf with a diameter of 22 × 3.5 × 42 mm (on the image it is a disk with MSATA signature)

There are still "2260" and "2280" sizes - these are drives, too, in the form of a handkerchief connected to the interface M.2.

Memory size

Are you going to install on a solid-state disk system? Then you will be enough 60 GB. If you take it to storing multimedia data, prefer more volume. It can reach 4 terabytes, so repel from your financial opportunities.

Most often choose a capacity of 240/256 GB. At least 120/128 GB - this is enough to install the operating and storing a small amount of media files. Under the rest of the types of files, solid discs are usually acquired, well, not counting major :).

Performance

In addition to the speed of the flash card, there is still such a feature as the number of I / O operations that it can perform per second. In English it looks like this: INPUT / OUTPUT OPERATIONS PER SECOND (IOPS). In this situation, choose according to the principle: the more - the better.

Although by and large, these numbers are conditional. A lot of factors affect performance (controller model, type of chip, container, cache algorithm, etc.), so it is necessary to test it. But since it is impossible to do this before buying, it remains only to trust the manufacturer's data.

Well, in principle, and everything I wanted to highlight in this topic. I hope wrote in detail and understandable. Now you know which device lies behind the abbreviation SSD and its features, so you can safely work on the upgrade of your computer.

Solid-state drives (SSD) are new and fast and good alternative for hard hDD disksBut does he need you? Read on how we democated a solid-state drive. For the past few years, there is a noticeable increase in the volume of SSD output and lower prices (although of course it is impossible to compare the prices between SSD and traditional hard drives).

What is SSD? What ways do you win from the acquisition of a ssd disk? What do you need to do differently with SSD? Read on to find out all about solid drives.

What is a solid-state drive?

You may be difficult to believe, but solid-state drives are actually quite old technology. Solid-state drives were for many decades in various forms, the most first were based on RAM and were quite expensive, and they were installed only appear in an ultra-high-class and super computers. In the 1990s, on the basis of flash drives made the first SSD, but they were again too expensive for the consumer market and were barely noticeable outside of specialized computer circles. During the 2000s, the price of flash memory continued to fall, and by the end of the decade, consumer solid storage devices appeared on the market of personal computers.

So, what is the solid-state drive? Here it is necessary to first allocate what is a traditional hard disk (HDD). Hard disk is a set of metal plates with ferromagnetic material, which rotate on the spindle. The record on the surface of the magnetic plates is carried out by a tiny mechanical handle (drive lever) with a very thin stale (head). The data is maintained by changing the polarity of magnetic bits on the surface of the plates. This, of course, is a bit more complicated, but it is enough to say that everything is done here by analogy of the automatic player of the records, his hand is looking for a track on the record, also the drive handle and the head of the hard disk are looking for data. When you want to write or read the data from the magnetic hard drives of the plate rotate, the hand is looking for, and finds the data. This is the same mechanical process, as it is digital.

Solid-state drives, on the contrary, do not have moving parts. Although the scale is different, and the area for storage on the HDD is much larger, and the solid-state drive is much more common with a simple portable flash drive than a mechanical hard disk (and, of course, much more than ever, with a tape recorder! ) The overwhelming majority of solid-state drives in the NAND flash memory, the type of non-volatile memory, which does not require electricity to save data (as opposed to RAM in your computer, which loses its saved data as only power is turned off). NAND also provides a significant increase in speed much more than mechanical hard drives, since the time spent wasted when the plates are spinning and not looking for the data is removed from the equation.

Comparison of solid-state drives with traditional hard drives

It is always good to know what solid-state drives are, but it is even more useful to compare them with traditional hard drives that you have been using for many years. Let's look at several key differences in the current comparison.

Spin-time: SSD drives do not have "spin" time; The drive does not have moving parts. Hard drives have different spin time (usually a few seconds); When you hear a click-whirrrrrr for a minute or two when the computer is loaded or when accessing rarely used files, you always hear the rotation of the hard disk.

Access time and data delays: Solid-state drives very quickly find data and, as a rule, is an order of magnitude 80-100 times faster than hard drives; Moving Mechanical Turning Plates and Data Search, so they can access data almost instantly. Quickly searching for data on hard drives prevents the physical movement of the anchor and rotation of the plates.

Noise: SSD drives are silent; The lack of moving parts means no noise. Hard discs vary from rather quiet, to a very strong sound level.

Reliability: individual production issues aside (bad wheels, firmware, questions, etc.) SSD discs went ahead in terms of physical reliability. The vast majority of hard disk failures as a result mechanical damage; At some point after x tens of thousands of hours, the mechanical drive is simply wearing. In the sense of the read / write cycle of hard drives limited.

On the other hand, solid-state drives have a limited number of recording cycles. This limited number of recording cycles is the main issue to condemn solid drive drives, but the reality is such that the average computer user is unlikely to be able to make a lot of read and write cycles on SSD. Intel companies X25-M, for example, can handle 20 GB of data for 5 years without failures. How often do you erase and write down 20GB of data on the main disk on a daily basis?

In addition, SSD discs can be used further; When the NAND modules reached the end of their record cycles, they are only for reading. The disk then reads data from the damaged sector and rewrites it to a new part of the disk. Not counting the zipper or catastrophic lack of construction, the failure of SSD is more like "Old age, why the lomit in my bones!", Not on a sharp "boom! Bearings in HDD! " And his stop. You will have enough time for reserve copy Your data and to purchase a new disk.

Power consumption: SSD discs are consumed by 30-60% less energy than traditional hard drives. Savings of 6 or 10 watts seem to be not much, but during the year or two on a strongly used car everything converges.

Cost: SSD is not cheap. Traditional prices for hard disk fell about five cents per gigabytes of data. Slotted drives are much cheaper than they were 10-20 years ago (when they were limited to special computer systems), but they are still quite expensive. Depending on the size and model, you can expect to pay somewhere between $ 1.25- $ 2.00 per GB.

CARE FOR CREETING SSD Drive

In the operating system management, saving data, and interacting with your computer is the only difference that you will notice how the end user during the operation of the SSD disk is to increase the speed. When it comes to care of your disk, there are several rules that are crucial.

Do not defragment disk. Defragmentation is useless for SSD and reduces the duration of his life. Defragmentation is a technique that finds pieces of files and optimizes them placing hard drives on plates to reduce the search and wear time on the disk. SSD does not have plates and have almost instant search time. Their defragmentation eat more recording cycles. Default in Windows 7 defragmentation is disabled for SSD.

Disable indexing services: If your OS has any search, the tool is added as the index service, turn it off. The reading time on the SSD is fast, which you really do not need to create the file index and the process of indexing index and index write process will be slow on SSD.

Your OS should maintain trimming. The Trim command allows your OS to communicate with the SSD disk and tell it which blocks are no longer used. With this command, the performance on SSD will rapidly degrade. In this publication for Windows 7, Mac OS 10.6.6+ and Linux with a 2.6.33+ core, support the Trim command. A khaki registry and additional programs exist to change earlier versions of OS, such as Windows XP, to semi-support the Trim command. Your SSD disc should be paired with a modern OS for maximum performance.

Leave a part of the disk empty. Check the specifications for your device, most manufacturers recommend keeping 10-20% empty. This empty space helps the alignment algorithm (they transmit data through the NAND module memory to minimize the total wear on the disk and provide a long service life and optimal characteristics drive). If you leave too few space, then alignment algorithms with time will lead to premature wear on the disk.

Media on the second disk: SSD drives expensive, so it makes no sense to store your massive media files on your road SSD drive. You can choose traditional hard drives 1 TB, and use a large additional disk (if possible) to store large and static files (for example, movies, music collections and other multimedia files).

Interest in memory: compared with the costs of solid-state drives, RAM is cheap. The more RAM will be installed, the smaller the recording cycles on the disk. You can extend the life of your expensive SSD drive, ensuring that you have an adequate RAM in your system.

Solid drive for me?

At the moment you have a history lesson, a check-in comparison, and some tips for maintaining your SSD in excellent form, but do you need an SSD disc? Check all the appropriate options and prepare for the following:

• Almost instant download time: You can go from a cold download to view web pages in seconds with SSD; In the same window, you could often get in more than a minute with a traditional hard disk.
• You want quick access for general applications And games: we have already spoken many times, but solid-state drives are ultra-speed.
• You want a more quiet and less voracious computer: as emphasized above, SSD drives are silent and consume significantly less energy.
• You can use two discs: one for OS and one for files: If you store only a few family photos and CD-RIP or two, you will need more affordable traditional HDD to store large files.
• You are ready to pay a significant amount for the SSD drive: this is the biggest amount for gigabytes today, but also time the performance increase is huge in 3000%.
• If your list looks more complete than empty, and you want to get speed when working, then SSD is for you!