What makes SDD drive. Internal and external memory stackers. Types of memory drives. What kind of SSD will need
Probably every person who is familiar with computer equipment, knows or at least heard of such a device as an SSD drive. What is it and what role does it perform in the computer? If briefly, SSD is used to record and storing personal data of the user. It can be argued that hard drives exist for this. And this statement will be perfectly correct, because these components of the computer perform identical functions. So what was the SSD drive, what is it, how does it work and what is different from the usual HDD? All these questions can be found to find answers in this article.
What is the difference between the Winchester and the SSD hard drive? What is this device and what are the main principles of his work?
To date, the main place for storing most files on the computer is Winchester. If you disassemble it, then a rather fragile mechanism can be found inside. It consists of magnetic plates rotating on a special head. Between these plates, the carriage is moving, which finds and reads the necessary information. Mechanism hard disk Reminds the gramophone, that's just the functions of these devices perform different. Unlike the mechanism of the musical apparatus, the hardband carriage moves at a speed of several thousand revolutions per minute and performs the operation associated with copying and record information.
As for the SSD disk, or, how to call it, a solid-state drive, then it is used for the same purposes as hDD. That's just working in a completely different way. There are no moving elements within this device, and special chips are installed for storing information. The solid-state drive is reminiscent of a large flash drive, which can be placed in the place of the hard drive.
Basic principles of solid-state drives
The SSD disc memory consists of special blocks that are divided into cells, where the necessary data is stored. All would be good, but the main problem occurs when you need to remove or re-record available. The fact is that from one block it is impossible to remove some of the information, and you have to format the entire sector. In this case, the necessary data is remembered in the cells of the neighboring blocks and only then overwritten on the old place. Suppose you need to save data in size in 10 kb. In this case, the memory block has a volume 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 entirely and only then the old and new data are recorded. It turns out that the system performs a few more operations additional actionWhat leads to a slowdown in work and speeds up the wear of the solid-state drive.
To increase device performance, you must use special program Trim, or, as it is sometimes called, truncating SSD. What it is and how it works, consider further. Trim is not even an application, but special teamwhich the operating system is sent to the solid state drive to indicate unused elements. Thanks to this function, you can immediately delete unnecessary files, avoiding additional operations with the transfer of information to neighboring blocks. And this significantly improves the performance of SSD. But this command is not supported outdated versions operating systems. Therefore, to connect Trim on the computer must be installed Windows 7 or 8, Linux version 2.66.33 or higher.
What is SSD from?
After examining the differences in two types of information warehouses, let us last in more detail on how SSD solid-state drives are arranged, which is the device and how they function. It looks like a regular box with connectors for connecting to a computer. Basically, SSD discs for home use are equipped with SATA interfaces, USB 3.0 and PCI-Express, which without problems provide the necessary recording and reading speed.
There are no moving mechanical parts in solid-state drives. Due to this, they are much resistant to external factors of impact. For example, an ordinary HDD disk is a rather fragile thing, because if during a shaking or drop, the reading head is in contact with the magnetic plate, then this will lead to the dismissal of the carrier. But solid-state drives are arranged quite differently. Inside these devices, special fees are installed on which the memory chips and the controller are placed. Some SSD discs are additionally equipped with compact batteries, which, in case of a sudden turning off electricity, provide additional power cache, and the data are stored on the main memory chips. Now let us last in more detail on the main components of the solid-state drive.
SSD memory: What is it and what is its main functions?
In most SSD disks, NAND is used, or, as it is also called, Flash memory. Such chips are used in conventional flushes, only in solid-state drives they are more reliable and have a greater rate due to the presence of a controller. Due to not high cost They are widely used in SSD, making these device data are sufficiently available for most users. Another advantage of this is that it is non-volatile and will not require additional power to work.
In addition to NAND technology, RAM-SSD is sometimes used in solid-state drives. This type of memory has a greater recording speed and reading data through the use of chips used in the creation of RAM. It will require a constant connection to electricity, therefore, in SSD disks using RAM, additional batteries are often installed in case of a sudden power outage. Due to the high cost of production of these drives, they are rarely found in domestic PCs and laptops. Mostly RAM-SSD are used in computer systems Large companies to increase the speed of working with databases.
To date, the NAND memory is used in most drives. Despite this, the SSD data differ from each other recording speed, data reading and cost. It all depends on the applicable chips in the drive: SLC, TLC or SSD MLC. What is it and what is the difference between them? This is how different technology is MLC, thanks to which in one cell, two data bits can be saved. TLC makes it possible to burn as many as 3 bits, but it leads to a more rapid wear of the cells, so this technology Not very popular. The highest speed and durable is the SLC memory, with the help of which you can record only one data batch in each cell. Among the disadvantages can only be distinguished by a high cost, which is 2 times the price of the SSD MLC.
Controller
The controller is the most important element without which the SSD drive will not function. What is it and what is his role, find out further. Devices These are working on the load distribution between memory blocks, are responsible for reading and writing information, error correction and file compression. The controller resembles a command center where solutions related to data processing are accepted. It is from this detail that the speed of the solid-state drive and its durability depends. The main component of the kitrs is a special microprocessor, to which the entire load lies. Also, the speed of the device depends on the quality of the firmware.
Pretty many companies are engaged in the production of SSD-disks, because the technology of their manufacture is quite simple and requires less time than to create a classic hard disk. All you need is to purchase memory chips, controllers and boards, where everything will break. After that, the design is placed in beautiful housing With the branded logo - and the goods are ready for sale. But the components for solid-state drives have a high price, besides, high costs will require the creation of a controller and high-quality firmware to it. Because of this, the cost of SSD discs today is much higher than the usual HDD.
Hybrid SSD HDD.
Now let's look at the hybrid SSD HDD. What is this device and for what is meant? Every year, solid-state drives are gaining increasing popularity. Technologies do not stand still, and standard hard drives gradually displacing more technological systems. SDD discs are present in many computers, but used as not the main storage of information, and additional. And all because their cost is significantly higher compared with conventional hard drives. To compensate for this gap between two types of drives, a HDD SSD hybrid was created. What is this device and what is his advantages, try to consider in more detail.
The hybrid drive is based on all the same HDD without any changes. But in the case of these drives there are still flashes with flash memory, which is used as a buffer zone. It copies the information that is most often used. This allowed to increase the download speed of some applications and the most operating systemIf you compare with conventional hard drives. The maximum amount of flash memory in such hybrid SSDs - 8GB. What made it as a result? In fact, we have something mean between the hard drive and a small solid-state drive. IN buffer memory You can not download data or install applications. It is used as a reserve for starting priority programs that the user cannot control independently. As for the price, the cost hybrid drives Below is standard SSD, but higher than HDD, besides, they are not very popular in our country, so they are not sold everywhere.
Benefits of a solid-state drive
An integral part modern computer Is a SSD drive. What is this device and how it works, we found out, it remains to highlight its main advantages and cons compared to the usual HDD. Let's start with the positive sides of solid storage.
The most important advantage of SSD is incredible and record information. They are several times more productory hard disks. For example, the speed of data processing of some drives exceeds 500 MB / s. In practice, it gives more fast work The programs and the operating system itself, which is loaded in seconds. This is very important, because the current generation of computers has high performance that the HDD slows down. But with the advent of new drives, their speed increased significantly.
The next plus of SSD devices can be called their higher resistance to external factors. They do not have such a fragile mechanism as hard drives. Thanks to this, they easily transfer shakes, vibrations and moderate housing strikes. These devices will become an excellent laptop solution. In addition, they better cope with temperature drops.
Another advantage of SSD is noiselessness and low power consumption. Due to the fact that hard disks There are moving mechanical elements, they publish a certain level of noise. In addition, in working condition, the HDD has a sufficiently high temperature, so the coolers have to rotate in accelerated mode. But all these problems are devoid of SSD, which are not heated, do not noise and consume less electricity.
disadvantages
Evaluating all the advantages of solid-state drives, it remains to find out what weak sides It has a hard drive SSD. What is it for flaws? The first of them is a big value of such drives. Despite the simplicity of its design, the manufacture of flash memory chips and controllers is quite a cost. But do not be upset about this, because technology is constantly developing, and gradually the price of these goods is down. After a couple of years, they may well be equal in price with HDD.
After the first drawback, you can allocate the second. Due to the high cost, solid-state drives have less capacity than hard drives. For example, the amount of memory of some HDD is 8 TB, while SDD reached only up to 1 TB.
The memory of solid-state drives is short-lived, and after the expiration of a certain number of overwriting cycles, it fails. At least the current generation of these devices has a sufficiently large lines of service, but you have to be ready for the fact that once the drive will stop working, and it will be problematic to restore the information.
I would like to add that SSD is badly tolerated by the racing of electricity. If, after one of these voltage drops, it burns, then it will be impossible to produce data. In the case of the HDD disk, a certain sector will fail, and most will remain a whole, so that all intact information can be learned.
What is worth paying attention to when buying an SSD?
Having studied information about solid-state drives, many users probably wanted to purchase this device For your computer. But it is not necessary to immediately run to the store and take the first product turned up. Here are some tips to help with the choice of SSD.
First you need to pay attention to the volume of SSD. What it is? In other words, this is the number of embedded in the higher its value, the more information can be recorded. But it is not necessary to buy the most expensive goods, because solid-state drives are mainly used to install operating systems and applications on them, and the main storage destination is still a hard disk. After installing your SSD system of 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. What it is higher, the better, but it happens that the motherboard can not reveal the news of the SSD-disk potential due to the small bandwidth of the tire. It happens that in old laptops or PCs there is no point in installing the nimble drives, because even after the update, the system will work in the same way as on the usual HDD. Therefore, it is worth examining the configuration of your computer, and after going to the store. The largest and for outdated IDE ports will require a special adapter for installing SSD.
The most important component of any solid-state drive is the controller. It is this detail that controls all the processes associated with the processing of information. From how qualitatively it will be done, the durability of the entire device depends, therefore it is recommended to give preference to proven and well-proven manufacturers. Production leaders are Sandforce, Marvell, Intel, Indilinx.
At the end it is worth paying attention to the dimensions of the drive. For PC is not so important, because in system unit You can install any SSD, and problems may arise with laptops.
Basic rules of operation of solid-state drives
After reviewing user reviews and specialists, we can conclude that an integral part of a modern computer is SSD-Winchester. What it is and how it works, we have already considered. Now you need to learn how to use it correctly. How strange it sounds, but to understand all the advantages of solid-state drives, you need to adhere to several simple rules.
No need to fill all the available memory to failure. Many people neglect by this rule, because SSD has a considerable price, so users buy small drives and fully download them necessary and not very information. But it must be remembered that if you leave less than 25% of the free space, then the data processing speed will significantly decrease. The fact is that the more memory, the higher the number of free blocks where data can be written. When the places remain too small, the information is distributed over the cells of the adjacent blocks, and this leads to a decrease in speed.
It is worth remembering that with solid-state drives you can significantly increase the speed of the computer, so they are recommended to install the operating system, applications and demanding games. But the main storage of information is worth using HDD. It will be more economical and practical, because they can easily cope with the playback of audio and video files no worse than SSD.
It is best that one of the computer is installed on the computer. recent versions operating systems. For example, Windows XP or Vista is poorly optimized for operation with solid-state drives and do not support the Trim command.
Greetings to your blog!
SSD disk is already becoming a mandatory attribute not only laptops and netbooks, but also desktops.
In this article, I will try to figure out what Ssddisk is, describe its strengths and weaknesses. And also, consider it use in home computers.
What do you know by reading this article:
What is SSDDK.
SSD is a solid-state drive that uses flash memory (NAND) to store data. Decipher the SSD abbreviation, you can like Solid State Disk or Solid State Drive, but it seems to me more correctly.
There are no mechanical and moving parts in the SSD drive, which makes it more reliable compared to mechanical HDD.
The first prototypes of modern solid-state disks were produced based on the RAM of memory and in order not to lose the information after turning off the computer, the battery was connected to it.
Now, of course, SSD drives Make on another technology and turn off the computer will not lead to loss of information.
What is a SSD disk?
The main parts of which are SSD, this is a flash memory chip, controller, disk connectivity interface, housing.
Flash memory chip.
IN currently In modern SSD, three types of memory are used, this is SLC, MLC and TLC.
SLC (Single-Level Cell) - one bit of information is recorded in each cell of this memory. The number of overwriting cycles is 100,000. It has the largest rewriting stock, but it is the most expensive memory, used in expensive server systems.
MLC (Multi-Level Cell) - two bits of information are written to each cell. Number of overwrite cycles 3000. This memory is used to produce most SSD drives, as less expensive and has the potential for large amounts of disk space.
TLC (Triple-Level Cell) - three bits of information are recorded in each cell. The number of cycles overwrite 1000. The cheapest view of the memory has long been used in the production of flash drives. It is started to use in production SSD discsMakes their production even cheaper, for example, Samsung 840 EVO.
The number of cycles of rewriting may vary in the right, it depends on the production technology, and it is not worth it.
With the wear of the memory cells, they are blocked, so the disk itself remains workers, it only loses in the amount. But if it is properly used, and take into account its size, then the service life of the solid-state drive will be several years.
Main manufacturers of memory chips, it is Intel, Hynix, Micron, Samsung, SanDisk and Toshiba.
If we talk about the sizes of the memory of SSD disks, then on this moment You can find 1TB wheels. But the price of such a disk is too high, for example, a 700GB disk with sATA interface3 costs about 80,000 rubles, and with the PCI-E interface, about 160,000 rubles. Not everyone wants to buy a quick flash drive for such a sum.
Controller.
The controller is a processor that manages read and write operations. This is the second most important, after memory item in a solid-state drive.
The controller's task includes:
Constant tracking of the status of memory cells and their blocking, with full wear;
Uniform distribution of files throughout the disk for uniform wear of memory cells;
Transferring data from memory to RAM memory, if available;
Compression of files to accelerate transmission;
The read speed and recording depends not only from memory, but also from the controller. For example, in cheap discs, the speed of the controller can limit the speed of the controller with the presence of fast memory, as a result, the reading speed and recording will be lower.
SSD form factor.
SSD drives are manufactured in different formats. All of them, at the moment, five.
SATA is the most common type of 2.5 inches drives. They can be installed, both in the desktop PC and in the laptop. Only in the laptop will have to remove a more voluminous HDD or CD-ROM. 1.8 inches disks with SATA interface are common. I advise you to take SATA-3 format discs, they have read / write speeds much higher than that of SATA-2, about 500MB / C and higher.
mSATA - As a rule, the disks of this format are installed in laptops, where a special compartment is intended for them. Speed, some models are inferior to SATA format discs.
PCI-E is the greatest read / write speed, thanks to the PCI-E bus, show the disks of this format, to 2000MB / s. But they are the most expensive of solid-state.
Hybrid (SSHD) are such discs where a regular hard disk is used as the main carrier, and as a memory cache, SSD drive. This method allows you to quickly run applications that are often used. In general, the speed of such a disk, as well as the usual HDD, but some programs work very quickly.
USB - external discs do not differ in high speed because uSB port It is a weak link here. I advise you to buy discs with uSB interface 3.0, so the speed will be much higher than USB 2.0. But for external disk Never required the same speed as for internal. So, if the speed is not so important to you, it is better to buy an ordinary hard drive, and cheaper and more.
The advantages of SSD disks.
Quick access to files - in solid-state drives there is no moving head and disk and reading occurs almost instantly.
Great data transfer rate - for the same reason, SSD has a very high data transfer rate.
Good stroke resistance - again, there are no fragile mechanisms and there is nothing to break with no strong blows.
Less power consumption - no drives and moving parts, the energy of solid-state operation is required much less.
The weak level of noise is the same story here, nothing moves and does not make noise.
Disadvantages of SSD disks.
High cost solid storage.
Smaller disk space compared to HDD.
Limited data overwriting cycle.
Of course, all these disadvantages, this is a temporary phenomenon and soon solid-state will catch up and distilled mechanical, and they in turn hopelessly endage.
Now, of course, you can use SSD disk in personal ComputerBut only as the main one where the system is installed, and not as a storage for your files.
About how to extend the life of a solid-state drive, I will tell in one of the following articles, if you have not subscribed to updates, you can do it now.
If you are going to buy a computer and do not know how to choose a processor, I recommend reading this, where the main criteria for which you need to choose a processor for a computer are described.
Good luck!
Advantages and disadvantages of solid-state drives before HDD ... What are they?! Solid state drives, or SSD, appearing on the market relatively recently, despite the high cost, managed to gain popularity from users who are important to work speed.
A solid-state drive is a storage device based on memory chip. Also, the SSD includes a control controller. Memory, on the basis of which solid-state drives work, is divided into two types: Flash and RAM.
Most often SSDs are used in small devices (communicators, laptops, smartphones), where a significant requirement is the resistance of the drive to shocks and vibration, as well as a small size. The use of solid-state drives in the PC contributes to a noticeable increase in performance.
SSD's popularity grows very quickly: their cost, although at the moment and noticeably above the HDD is gradually decreasing; Some companies, to the number of which applies, for example, to make a business for the manufacture of rigid discs of Seagate Samsung, have already completely abandoned the production of HDD, switching to the development and creation of solid drives.
The history of the emergence and further development of SSD
Despite the fact that the wide distribution of solid-state drives received quite recently, the first prototype of such a carrier of information was created back in 1978. The first semiconductor drive, based on the RAM-memory, was developed by StorageTek (USA). Four years later, another American Cray company began using SSD based on RAM memory in its supercomputers Cray-1 and Cray X-MP.
The first semiconductor drive on Flash memory was developed in 1995 by M-Systems (Israel).
Since 2005, laptops and netbooks have become increasingly at the market, which included SSD. The first company that has released a device with a 4 GB solid-state storage device was ASUS. Gradually, the speed and volume of devices increased. In 2008, the developers of Mtron Storage Technology (South Korea) presented at the exhibition in Seoul 128-gigabyte solid-state disk With recording and reading parameters 240 MB / s and 260 MB / s, respectively. In 2009, OCZ developed an SSD volume of 1 terabyte.
Advantages of SSD.
Pros of solid-state drives are obvious. The lack of moving parts led to their high mechanical resistance, quickly reading files, regardless of the location of their fragments, as well as absolutely silent operation. Reading speed and write many times superior throughput The best HDD interfaces, including SATA II, SATA III and others.
The absence of magnetic disks made it possible to significantly reduce the size of SSD, as well as reduce the effect on it by external electromagnetic fields, which are easily able to cause harm to hard disks and stored on them.
SSD also characterizes a wider range of temperatures and low power consumption.
Disadvantages of modern SSD.
The key disadvantage of solid-state drives, due to which they can not allow them to afford them to afford, are their high cost, directly proportional to their containers. The price of a more common HDD depends solely from the plates included in their composition and increases as their volume increases much slower.
The main drawback of NAND SSD (storage devices based on the use of non-volatile memory) is, first of all, a limited number of overwriting cycles: ten thousand for conventional flash memory (MLC, Multi-Level Cell) and one hundred thousand for a more expensive view (SLC, Single-Level Cell). In order to prevent uneven wear, special schemes are embedded in SSD: the controller saves information about which blocks are the least overwritten and, if necessary, starts to use them more actively. The number of cycles at RAM SSD and newest technology FRAM is almost limitless, they are quite enough for 40 years of continuous use.
The inability to restore information
Solid state drives do not allow you to restore the information due to the use of the TRIM command, so all recovery utilities become useless. In addition, the SSD information becomes permanently lost, if you exceed or voltage drop. If only the controller card is most often burning in hard disks, the solid carrier burns completely. Hardware failure SSD, which occurred due to the failure of the controller chip or Flash memory, will lead to the fact that the information will be lost without the possibility of recovery.
SSD and selecting Windows operating system
The use of obsolete and even a number of topical operating systems, which do not take into account their specificity affect the acceleration of wear SSD. Reducing the life of solid-state drives due to the work of some OS services is due to the fact that they are designed only to work with HDD,
Therefore, they are used on SSD technologies that accelerate the work of hard drives, but do not have any positive effect on the speed of solid-state drives, and on the contrary, reduce their service life.
In the OS family Windows optimization Working with SSD was implemented only, starting with the seventh version. The hard drives of Windows 7 does not use defragmentation, as well as Superfetch and ReadyBoost technology necessary to speed up reading and writing on hard drives. Previous windows version, including a relatively recent Vista, requiring additional settings To reduce wear SSD. First of all, it is necessary to turn off defragmentation, which does not all equal to the speed of solid-state drives any influence.
Setting up Windows 7 to work with SSD
In order to warn quick wear SSD, some services and operations should be disabled in the system.
First of all, you should disable the use in the paging file system, which is designed to store the time data required by the lack of RAM volume. However, such a captain entry and overwriting on SSD will lead to the fact that the memory cells are rapidly wear out. Therefore, if the amount of your memory exceeds 4 GB, better decision will disable the paging file. If the memory size is less than 4 GB, then the easiest way to transfer the paging file to the hard disk or increase the volume of RAM.
Indexing and caching SSD is absolutely not necessary operations, as a solid-state drive and so works very quickly.
Due to the fact that direct SSD access to files is carried out very quickly, defragmentation is unnecessary, moreover, it only harms SSD cells.
Another components of the operating system, which have become unnecessary after installing it on SSD, is Prefetch and SuperPrefetch, designed to speed up the initial download and launch of programs.
To disable these services, open windows registry And change the EnablePrefetcher and EnablesUPERFETCH value to zero.
SSD and alternative operating systems
Trim-support for solid-state memory appeared in Mac OS X in version 10.7 (Lion). In 2010, Apple launched AIR computers on sale, which included solid-state memory. Initially, at the request of the buyer, SSD could be replaced with an ordinary hard disk, however, since 2010, the company has completely abandoned use in this HDD line to reduce the size of the computer case, as well as reduced its weight. The amount of memory in the AIR line is from 64 GB to 512 GB.
In 2012, a new one appeared on sale MacBook Pro.Flash-based working. Optionally, the computer can be installed up to 768 GB flash memory.
Trim support SSD in operating linux systems Appeared, starting from the 2.6.33 kernel version. In the mount settings, specify the "Discard" option.
SSD or HDD: What to choose?
Currently, solid-state drives are increasingly confidently disinterested in hard drives market share. And although talking about the occurrence of the final transition to SSD and withdrawal from the sale of HDD is still early, it becomes clear that at some point it will become inevitable. Those who installed a solid-state drive as system DiscAlready managed to see the difference in speed, which is noticeable even without the use of special tests.
Flash-memory drives are distinguished by fast access time, high speed transmission speed and improved performance, which allows you to do working with the operating system and installed applications Much more fast. In addition, SSD characterizes absolutely silent operation, reliability and low energy consumption.
At the moment, there are many solid-state drives from various manufacturers in the component market, so choose among them best option not so easy. However, the speed of any SSD model, even the slowest and cheap, is many times higher than the similar parameter of the hard disk.
Compare each of technical parameters Solid-state drives and hard drives separately.
Performance
Almost every SSD is two or three times higher than the traditional hard disk at the interaction rate. Running programs and operating systems, output from sleeping or waiting mode, installing applications, work with files (copy, archiving, unzipping) occurs on solid-state drives noticeably faster.
To determine higher SSD performance, you can not even make any measurements, as it is easy to notice even "on the eye". Running software It becomes much faster, the operating system also works without delays. Especially noticeable is the speed of care of waiting or sleep mode, as well as exit from it.
SSD are an excellent choice for users who are important to work speed.
HDD and SDD performance comparison
If you test with the purpose of comparison, one of the best now HDD Seagate. Barracuda XT with a volume of 3 TB and the speed of 7200 rpm and SSD Samsung 470 series of the previous generation becomes clear how noticeably the speed of hard drives and solid-state drives is different.
Futuremark PCMark 7, imitating the standard operation of the computer, demonstrates that in almost any types of SSD works, the task is in three or four times faster than the hard disk. Wherein, this test It takes into account the performance of the system, taking into account the effect of the CPU and the video card, which allows you to see the picture, almost similar to the one that is created under normal use.
To the only exceptions when the results of HDD and SDD are almost equal, applies to work with video in Windows Movie Maker and download windows Media Center.
The most vivid example when the user can see and evaluate the speed of the media of the information is to transfer and copy data. On old computers, this time can occupy such a long time that the user is forced to sit in front of the screen and expect when operations with files will be completed.
Comparison of three media: SSD, HDD with a speed of 7200 revolutions and HDD at a speed of 5,400 revolutions shows how quickly solid-state drives are. With this testing, the files were copied and transferred from one logical disk On another, which led to the fact that the media simultaneously read, and recorded the data.
As you can see, the SSD speed when working with files and archives is several times higher than hard features disk.
This test allows you to determine how noticeable SSD speed when solving daily tasks with which the user is constantly facing. For testing, two types of programs were selected for testing: 1) those that are most commonly used by users, 2) large packages, the installation of which is usually very long.
Testing has shown that the installation speed of applications on SSD is two or three times higher compared to HDD. Exceptions are only Acronis and Office 2007 programs.
The advantage of SSD is saved and when you start applications, although in this case the time period is so small that it is unlikely to be very noticeable to the user.
Volume and the ability to store files
If you need a carrier for storing large amounts of information, such as video recordings or movies, then it will be much better to stop your hard disk. Acquisition of SSD to store files on it is an unnecessary luxury, since the cost of solid-state drives is noticeably higher and, moreover, directly depends on its volume. Even the smallest model of 128 GB differs very high cost, while the hard disk with a volume of 500 GB can be purchased at a very low price.
However, if you plan to use SSD as a systematic, then you are enough for the minimum volume of 128 GB to date. This volume is enough to create a working system where Windows 7 will be installed, required programs And even a few games. And for storing multimedia files and archives, you can install an additional HDD. If you are going to install an SSD in a laptop, you can purchase files to store files outdoor hard disk.
Reliability and resistance to impact and vibration
The meaningful SSD parameter, which distinguishes it from hard drives, is a reliability in use that is ensured by the fact that the solid-state drive is absolutely not sensitive to shocks and vibration. This is especially true for laptops that often have to carry. Such devices are often attached to shocks, and sometimes only the built-in accelerometer that turns off the HDD when falling, saves it from data loss or breakage.
Using SDD allows you to forget that you need to try not to shake a laptop. For example, when the device is barely begins to go to sleep mode (and at this time it is quite actively written by the data on the media), you can already lay it in the bag. If you do this with a laptop with a built-in HDD, the hard disk will be easy to deal.
SSD and HDD Durability
At the same time, SDD still loses hard disks for their durability. The inexpensive SSD of the first generation, installed, for example, on the Eee PC, have already begun gradually fail. And if the HDD mechanical wear is practically impossible to predict, then solid-state drives have a limited number of overwriting cycles, which is currently its main disadvantage.
It is assumed that the development of technologies will lead to the fact that non-volatile memory will be made from other materials, such as, for example, FERAM, but so far such drives are not available. In 2014, HP plans to start selling drives based on Reram technology.
The physical dimensions of both carriers
For some users, a significant advantage of SSD is their low weight and size. Solid-state carriers are noticeably less than hard drives, which, firstly, makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the device (this is especially relevant for laptops and netbooks), and secondly, it allows you to place more drives in the pc rack.
SDD and HDD cost in comparison
The price is the parameter for which SSD is hopelessly losing hard disks. Modern solid-state drives are three or four times more expensive than HDD, the container of which is three times more.
Is it worth spending money for speed and speed to solve you. In our opinion, it makes sense only if your work with a PC or laptop is constantly active. In this case, you will save not only time, but also nerves, getting rid of irritation associated with the fact that the system and applications are very slow down.
What to stop your choice?
Although SSD creation technologies are very actively developing, talking about the time when they completely replace hard drives, early. Solid-state drives no equal in providing higher performance and speed when using them as system disks, however, they are noticeably inferior to HDD in case we are talking About storage of files.
For most tasks faced by home PC users, a complete set with two media is perfectly suitable: SSD, where you should place the operating system, as well as executable files and cache programs, and HDD large volumes for storing movies, music, photos and documents.
Budget version of the configuration can be perfectly done without using solid-state drives, computers operating exclusively with SSD, due to their unnecessarily high cost, are extremely rare.
IN lately Computers and laptops have increasingly installed solid-state drives. So what is an SSD disk? If you speak simple, it is a huge flash drive, only with faster recording and reading parameters. There is no mechanical part in the solid-state drive. It consists only of chip. Hard drives have a large amount of memory, but low speed, and solid-state drives at low capacity, have a speed several times more than that of HDD.
Features of work
Let's look at hDD work and SSD when copying or reading small files. The smaller the file volume, the more significant difference in the speed between hard disk and solid state.
Imagine that the hard drive is a notebook with any information. And to find and fold this information, you need to extract notebook. And SSD is a sheet of paper on which the data is on the palm. Accordingly, he will find information much faster.
HDD a lot of time spends on the movement of reading heads, to find the necessary sectors on magnetic plates. SSD simply gives you the necessary information you need. This happens when the system is started, when copying or reading several thousand small files (for example photos). Therefore speed this type The carrier is several tens of times higher than that of HDD. The program and the system installed on the solid-state drive will run much faster than on the usual hard disk.
It is best to buy SSD from manufacturers who have proven themselves from the positive side of the production of this product. Such firms include Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, Samsung, Tohiba, Transcend, Intel, Ocz, Sundisk. It is not necessary to acquire solid-state storage devices of Chinese brands, or little-known firms. These are like: Apacer, Silicon Power, A-Data.
Since most SSDs have a small amount of memory, but very high performance, they serve mainly in order to establish an operating system and program on them to increase the speed of their download.
disadvantages
The main disadvantages of solid-state drives can be attributed to their cost. Even SSD with a small volume, it is much more expensive than ordinary hard drives, and their prices fluctuate themselves in different directions.
SSD is a flash memory consisting of thousands of cells that have a property to wear out. Basically wear occurs when recording information on the disk. When reading the cell fails much slower. It is conventionally believed that the smaller the capacity of the solid-state drive, the more reliable, since it does not have additional chips, and consumes less nutrition. But it's all in theory, and not confirmed.
Another deficiency of SSD is the inability to restore the data when deleting. If you accidentally happen a voltage jump, then only a small board will burn in the hard disk, and the information that will remain on the magnetic plates can be restored. The solid-state drive fails completely with all the files on it.
pros
The speed of reading and writing is one of the most important SSD parameters. Solid State Drives This Speed \u200b\u200branges from 150 to 560 MB. The average cost disk may have read speed and recording speed within 450 MB. The time of arbitrary access in solid-state drives is not taken into account, as it is equal to 0.1 - 0.2 M.S. SSD have SATA connector - 3, so on motherboardIt is desirable to be installed the same connector. Otherwise, the disk will not work in full force. Also, the solid-state drive is much stronger than the usual hard disk. He is not afraid of neither blows
Falls.
So what do you still choose?
Now you have an idea what SSD drives are. Let's see when they make sense to apply.
For an office computer, you can install only one 320 GB hard disk. If you play games, or you have a professional computer, then optimal option Install two disks. SSD 60 - 128 GB SSD. for installation of programs and operating system, and hard disk on 1 - 2 TB. If you use a laptop as an addition to your main computer, it will be enough to install a hard disk to it with a capacity of up to 500 GB. If the laptop is the main computer, then it will be best to use the 750 GB HDD in it - and above, depending on what purpose it is used.