do solid state drives have a life span?
thanks
an after thought; if you install the operating system to the SSD and install programs to a HDD do you still benefit from the faster speed when using them programs?
Last edited by Maxheadroom; 21 May 2010 at 18:13. Reason: to add
SSDs have a life span measured in how many times it can be written to before it starts to fail (the same as all flash memory).
In answer to your second question it depends on the program but you probably won't get the increased performance.
Oli
That's the whole idea of the SSD, to have fast access to the programs. Why would you want to install them on a HDD? And don't worry about the lifetime. It will last longer than you care to keep it.
Intel guarantees that you can write 100GB of data to one of its SSDs every day, for the next five years, and your data will remain intact.
Intel's MLC have at least 1000 write cycles. I'll probably dump mine before I even reach halve of that. After half a yearm I've only managed to use 12 write cycles. Even if the wear leveling is terrible, it's still a long way to go
If im not mistaken, its not really a write thats degrades them as it is erase cycles that matter.
Seems I read that somewhere, will try to find the link. I also recall reading the same statement Sanvean stated.
SSDs do not "die" so to speak as a mechanical drive does however. When it does die, you will still be able to read from it. just not write any new DATA.
I remember reading it on an Intel link, but can't find it, but it is repeated here (plus allot of info about SSD life span.):
Intel X25-M SSD: Intel Delivers One of the World's Fastest Drives - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News
Also remember, this was written in 2008, so the firmware now is superior.
From what I have read, the lifespan should easily be 10 years. I'm certain that I won't still be using my 80GB Intel SSD drive 10 years from now.
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