What is an SSD? Learn about popular types of SSD hard drives

SSD and HDD are both hard drives used to store data during computer use. However, compared to traditional HDDs, SSDs have many outstanding advantages. So specifically, what is an SSD hard drive? When should I use an SSD? Join TipsMake to discover the answer through the following article.

What is an SSD?

SSD stands for Soid State Drive, this is a hard drive used to store data on solid-state flash memory. To make up an SSD hard drive, two main components are needed: the controller and the NAND flash memory chip.

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SSD hard drive was born, has the same function as HDD but stands out with its superior processing speed. Not only that, SSD drives can also help users improve temperature and power consumption as well as ensure data security. 

Compared to an HDD drive that only covers a magnetic layer on the hard disk surface, data in an SSD drive is stored on many interconnected flash memory chips. Thanks to that, stored data is kept safe even when there is no power source in the drive. 

History of SSD hard drives

The first SSD hard drives with ferromagnetic material were created during the time when computers still used vacuum tubes. After a period of circulation on the market, this SDD drive stopped being used because the stored data was empty.

By the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, SSD hard drives were improved and developed again by the three giants IBM, Amdahl and Cray. However, because the selling price is high and not widely aimed at many users, this hard drive cannot be widely commercialized. 

In 1978, Storage Tek successfully developed the SSD model. By 1980, SSD hard drives were gradually improved by combining DIPRAM chips with hard drive simulation controller cards to meet the widespread needs of users. Not only that, SSD hard drives at this time also support rechargeable batteries to help keep the data source always active for storage. 

In 1983, the 128Kb SSD hard drive launched the Sharp PC - 5000 version. In 1996, the SSD hard drive combined with flash memory technology was born. From this point on, SSD gradually became a storage medium chosen by the majority of computer users thanks to its ability to solve existing problems with traditional HDD drives. 

In 2009, although the price of an SDD drive was slightly higher than an HDD drive, this device was still popular with many computer users. In March of the year, Texas Memory System launched an SSD model called RamSan - 620 that is stored in rank form with a huge capacity of up to 5TB.

Furthermore, the RamSan - 620 drive is also capable of meeting access speeds of 3Gb/s and a speed of 250,000 data read or write operations/s (IOPS).

Over time, SSD memory has increasingly developed and expanded with a variety of types, typically some models such as SSD G - Monster - PROMISE PCle containing capacities from 128GB to 1TB or SSDs applying NAND technology with Huge storage capacity up to 100TB.    

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Mechanism of operation of SSD hard drive

As a storage medium, the SSD hard drive's main function is to store data for long-term purposes. Different from traditional HDDs, SSDs are now equipped with flash memory to store and ensure data exists even in the event of a sudden power outage. 

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Thanks to the use of memory cells (cells) to send and receive data quickly. These plates are also divided into sections called pages, ranging in size from 2KB to 16KB, used to store data for computers. Multiple pages will be grouped together into blocks. In addition, because the design has no moving parts, SSD hard drives are also called solid-state hard drives. 

Unlike HDD hard drives, SSD hard drives do not allow users to directly overwrite data on individual pages, but can only be written to a blank page in a block. 

SSD deletion of data will occur when those data are marked as no longer in use. Then, this data is transferred to a block of memory to erase the entire block, and at the same time, the SSD also redefines the memory data to return the block, and unused pages will be deleted. blank. 

Popular types of SSD hard drives

After a long period of development, on the market today there are many types of SSD hard drives from large and small technology companies with a variety of prices and accompanying features. Among them, the most popular are the following 3 types of SSDs shared by TipsMake:

SSD 2.5 SATA

SSD 2.5 SATA is a 2.5 inch hard drive, compatible with most HDDs in today's laptops. Therefore, using a 2.5 SATA SSD is the perfect choice for users who need to upgrade from an old HDD to an SSD to increase data usage for the computer.

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Besides, this SSD also supports 2 additional hard drive versions with sizes of 3.5 inches and 1.8 inches. However, these two versions are less commonly used than the 2.5 inch version. 

The price of a 2.5 SATA SSD sold on the market is suitable for most users. 

m SSD (mSATA and mPCIe)

The m SSD drive is a minisize SSD line consisting of two popular types: mSATA and mPCIe with compact design and connected by a miniature connection port. This type of SSD is suitable for use on small laptops.

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Looking at the two types in general, the mSATA SSD port has a similar appearance to the mPCIe SSD port. However, if you look at the electronic board structure and data transmission, you will see the difference between the two types. Therefore, for computers that want to use mSATA SSD hard drives, they must have an mSATA controller chip and cannot use a PCI Express chip.

M.2 SSD (M.2 SATA and M.2 PCIe)

With the M.2 SSD hard drive line, this is an SSD line launched in 2004 with an interface designed completely differently from conventional SSD lines. On the market today, there are two popular types of M.2 SSDs: M.2 SATA and M.2 PCIe. 

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M.2 SATA SSD is a popular type of SSD hard drive, compact in size and has a fast processing speed of about 550Mb/s thanks to the use of the new M2 SATA communication standard technology. The most widely used type today is the M.2 2280 SSD model with a capacity of 120Gb. 

M2 PCIe SSD is a high-end SSD. Although it uses the M2 connection standard, it has the new PCIe speed standard, providing powerful performance. This type of SSD provides read and write data processing speed 6 times faster than SATA III, reaching about 3500 Mb/s. 

Summary table of popular SSD hard drives today:

Advantages and disadvantages of SSD hard drives

As an effective data storage medium upgraded from traditional HDD drives, SSD drives are popular today thanks to the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantage:

1. Minimizing the time it takes to start up the computer, open applications, etc. helps increase computer productivity.
2. Read and write speeds are 2 - 10 times faster, reaching from 550 MB/s up to thousands of MB/s compared to HDD drives. 
3. High shock resistance, reducing damage rate helps the machine operate stably and ensure data security.
4. The hard drive is solid-state so it makes no noise when operating, radiates less heat and helps save more energy. 

Defect:

1. The price is much higher than an HDD with the same storage capacity. The number of SDD drives is limited.
2. Each time you write or delete data, the amount of resistance increases. When it increases to a certain level, the drive's ability to write data will be lost.

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The difference between SSD and HDD hard drives

Both SSD and HDD drives perform the same general function of storing data for the computer. However, between these two drives there are clear differences such as:

Instructions for checking whether your computer runs SSD or HDD

To determine whether your computer is running an SSD or HDD, follow the TipsMake instructions below:

Step 1: At the screen interface, click Start . Next, in the search box enter the keyword Defragment and Optimize Drive and click open.

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Step 2: The Defragment window displays, now you need to look at the Media Type section to check whether your computer is currently using an SSD or HDD hard drive. If the listing tool shows Hard Dick Drive (HDD), it means your computer is using a regular mechanical hard drive. Also displaying a Solid State Drive (SSD) cluster means the computer is running an SSD hard drive. 

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So, following the 2 simple steps above that TipsMake instructs, you will definitely know what type of hard drive your computer is currently using. If you want to use an SSD hard drive, you should not skip the next content to see if your computer is suitable for use or not!

When should I use an SSD?

Through the above content, you probably already understand what an SSD hard drive does, right? With many outstanding advantages over traditional HDDs, SSDs are very suitable for use by all computer users. However, because the cost of this hard drive is relatively high, the best case where users need to use an SSD is when:

1. There is a need to use a hard drive with high processing speed to increase working performance. 
2. Used to store and retrieve databases.
3. Data storage capacity is not too large, requiring frequent access. 

In addition, if financial resources are not an issue you are concerned about, choosing an SSD hard drive to replace an HDD is necessary to upgrade your computer's performance. 

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Some factors to consider when buying an SSD hard drive

In the process of choosing to buy an SSD hard drive that suits your needs and is compatible with the computer you are using, you need to keep in mind the following factors: 

Storage capacity

Storage capacity is the first important factor you need to consider before choosing. If you accidentally choose the wrong capacity, you may lose money without helping the device increase its performance compared to before.

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 In case users need to store large data and access it often, they should choose a hard drive with high capacity. This helps your computer ensure speed and storage capacity as well as more stable and faster operation. 

Currently, the market is distributing SSD hard drives with capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. 

The hard drive is mounted internally or externally

In every computer line today, at least one hard drive is installed in the computer to meet the user's need to install the operating system, software or application. 

In case you want to increase storage capacity to upgrade your device's data processing capabilities, you can choose to add an external SSD card. Furthermore, choosing to mount an external SSD also makes it more convenient for users in cases where work requires frequent movement.  

Durability and speed

Durability and speed are factors that users cannot ignore when choosing to buy an SSD card. Currently, the market is offering many types of hard drives with different prices and features for users to choose from.

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The advice for you is to carefully read the technical specifications of each type before making a purchasing decision to limit the purchase of a hard drive that is not compatible with your computer and your needs.

For example, with specialized MLC SSDs, Seagate will be the appropriate choice for most users. It stands out not only because of its high durability but also because it can store a lot of data in the same cell. Or SLC is also an option worth considering thanks to its highest stability, high durability and data write/delete processing speed of up to 100,000 times. 

Design

With design factors, users may not need to pay too much attention. Most types of SSDs today have similar designs, often installed very deep into the computer, so it is difficult for you to see the hard drive. 

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Price

As mentioned, SSD drives are increasingly popular throughout the market with a variety of prices and uses. Depending on the current economic conditions, users can decide which hard drive is most suitable for themselves. 

Reputable SSD hard drive brands on the market

Choosing a reputable manufacturing brand is also a factor worth considering because this gives you peace of mind when making a buying decision. You can choose to buy from familiar brands on the market such as:

1. Intel

The first name that is extremely familiar to computer users is the manufacturer Intel. This is a longtime brand specializing in manufacturing the world's leading technology equipment with products associated with quality.

In particular, the portable SSD hard drive product manufactured by Intel is one of the widely distributed and used component devices. The highlight of this brand is providing SSD hard drives with continuous improvement in performance, providing users with the most optimal data storage solutions. 

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Not only that, the Intel brand is also typical for its simple, optimal product design for users. Each launched product possesses high-quality materials with high compatibility. It is known that an Intel SSD hard drive has a lifespan of more than 10 years. 

More specifically, the products that this brand produces have stable prices and uses, and can satisfy most customer segments in the market. 

Some outstanding Intel SSD types on the market that TipsMake suggests to you include:

1.1 Intel SSD 545s 256GB

This is an Intel SSD hard drive that uses outstanding technology to bring many outstanding features to users. 

Specifications:

1.2 Intel 128GB SSD 

As one of the popular Intel SSD models on the market, the 128GB Intel SSD brings safety and durability to users during assembly, storage and transportation.

Specifications:

1.3 Intel SSD 540s 240GB

As one of Intel's indispensable SSD drives, the Intel 540s 240GB SSD possesses many outstanding advantages with fast and safe read/write processing speed. Not only that, this is a model with low power consumption that helps save energy when used.

Specifications:

2. Seagate

Seagate is one of the world's leading brands specializing in manufacturing data storage devices. This is also the first brand to successfully create the world's first battery-powered wireless data storage solution.

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Seagate's SSD drive products distributed on the market possess outstanding features and uses, providing optimal solutions for users. Thanks to this continuous improvement and development, the brand quickly entered the top of the most prestigious SSD manufacturing brands in the world. 

Some popular Seagate SSD models today include:

2.1 Seagate Barracuda 250GB SSD 

This type of hard drive has a design characterized by its thorny shape, providing high durability and extremely fast processing speed. The structure of the Seagate Barracude 250GB SSD can meet the needs of ordinary people who want to upgrade from HDD to SSD to improve performance.

Specifications:

2.2 Seagate IronWolf 240GB SSD

Seagate IronWolf 240GB hard drive is a hard drive suitable for business use with DuraWhite technology to help maximize performance and reliability. 

Specifications:

2.3 Seagate Maxtor Z1 240GB SSD

This type of SSD hard drive is compactly and conveniently designed to meet the specialized purpose of upgrading data storage for computer users. Seagate Maxtor Z1 240GB hard drive can quickly solve problems such as read/write speed and open software quickly.

Specifications:

3. Samsung

One of the popular SSD hard drive brands on the market that cannot be ignored is Samsung. Hard drive products from Samsung are highly appreciated by users for their performance, modern design and high durability. 

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Not only that, the prices of Samsung SSD hard drives on the market are distributed quite diversely, from cheap to high-end, so they are suitable for many people. Although in terms of price compared to the general level, Samsung is slightly better than its competitors, but in terms of quality, absolute peace of mind is guaranteed. 

The advantages that Samsung SSD hard drives possess are the ability to handle lightning speed and good temperature resistance, allowing users to operate continuously for a long time without affecting longevity.   

Some popular Samsung SSD hard drive products that you can choose from are:

3.1 Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD 

This is a Samsung SSD that applies breakthrough technology of Samsung 128 Layer 3D V NAND to help increase performance, density and endurance limits compared to conventional NAND.

Specifications:

3.2 Samsung 980 PRO 250GB SSD

SamSung 980 PRO 250GB SSD is a great choice for gamers with price and performance that meets all usage needs in the most optimal way on the market. 

Specifications:

3.3 Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SSD

Upgraded from the previously very successful SSD 850 EVO hard drive, the Samsung 860 EVO SSD possesses the outstanding advantages of the version and is improved with new breakthrough technology SamSung 64 Layer 3D NAND and Intelligent TurboWrite technology. Helps optimize processing speed in work and entertainment.

Specifications:

How much does an SSD hard drive cost?

Compared to conventional hard drives on the market, SSD hard drives have a relatively higher price. But overall, the features and uses that SSDs bring are very commensurate with the price. 

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In the current SSD market, prices fluctuate depending on the manufacturer and storage capacity. You can contact the supplier for appropriate advice.

What are frequently asked questions when buying an SSD?

How long can an SSD hard drive last?

There is no specific exact number about the lifespan of an SSD hard drive. To know the lifespan of a regular SSD, you need to consider dependent factors including:
Standard lifespan of an SSD.
Number of Terabytes of writable data on a hard drive.
The amount of data that can be recorded in a certain unit of time is announced by the company.
How to use the user's SSD hard drive. 
In general, if you use a laptop for light tasks, an SSD hard drive can operate for more than 10 years.

Is it possible to recover data from an SSD in a damaged condition?

The answer is yes. Compared to HDD drives, SSD drives will be more difficult to recover when data is lost. Sometimes, to recover data, you need the help of specialized software from a 3rd party service.
In cases of data loss due to subjective reasons such as deleting, reinstalling the operating system, etc. The first thing you need to do is turn off the computer, remove the SSD hard drive, battery or charging cable from the computer (if the SSD cannot be removed). Then, bring your computer to a reputable device repair service for a technician to query and fix.

Epilogue

Above is detailed information about what an SSD hard drive is as well as the benefits that this hard drive brings to users. Overall, SSD drives are suitable for all computer users to use. Although this drive has a high price, it has many advantages over traditional HDDs. Thank you for following the article.

David Pac

Update 10 October 2023