The use of SSD storage units has made traditional hard drives or HDDs “outdated” due to the enormous benefits they offer in terms of speed, durability, power consumption, etc. These advantages have been discussed in previous articles on the blog. However, there are myths – we don’t know where they come from – that might make you hesitate to buy an SSD for your computer, a decision that could literally change your perception of computer use. From this standpoint, we wanted to review some of the most common myths and debunk them, emphasizing the importance of SSDs and how using them in various computers is no longer a luxury but a necessity!
Myths and Misconceptions About SSDs
Myth 1: SSDs have a short lifespan
Since the early days of SSD storage drives, there have been doubts about their lifespan, especially considering their small sizes compared to the sturdy HDD drives. Fortunately, this claim has been tested over the years – as SSDs have been around since the nineties – and it has been proven to be pure nonsense! It is enough to know that some companies have entire data centers that partially rely on SSD units after HDDs dominated the storage market for data centers. A company will not rely on storage units with a short lifespan in its data centers, even at the expense of the incredible speed these units provide.
About this point, one of the most important criteria that determine the assumed lifespan of an SSD is the “Terabytes Written” or TBW. We have previously dedicated a full topic on the nature of the TBW term in SSD hard drives, so we recommend revisiting it to understand it in detail. In short, the TBW refers to the volume of data that an SSD can handle and write “cumulatively” before it reaches the end of its life span. In most SSD units, this volume is proportional to the size of the disk itself, as the TBW value for an SSD drive of 1 terabyte size exceeds, by far, the TBW value for another drive of 500 gigabytes.
If we provide a practical example and talk in numbers, we find that the TBW value for a 1 terabyte SSD is approximately 600 terabytes. To imagine the enormity of this number, let us tell you that to reach that value over a period of 5 full years, you would need to handle/process more than 328 gigabytes of data daily – processing here refers to handling data in general in terms of writing operations, whether deleting or modifying it, etc. At this rate, we can say that the assumed lifespan of an SSD may exceed the lifespan of the computer itself, and you may use the same drive on more than one device for multiple generations without any problem.
You may be interested: Can your hard drive last forever? What is the expected lifespan?
Myth 2: Putting an SSD in hibernation mode damages it
This myth is an extension of the previous one logically, but it is also a misconception. Putting a computer in hibernation mode in Windows does not harm the SSD. This mode works as follows: when you prepare your computer to enter hibernation mode, it saves all open processes and stores them on the SSD after transferring them from the RAM in a file called “hiberfil.sys.” These processes include all programs, system settings, unsaved files, and any active activities currently handled by the random access memory. When you “revive” the computer from this mode, the system recognizes the hibernation file and starts from where it left off instead of restarting in the normal bootup state.
This process operates smoothly and even if it affects SSDs, the impact is minimal and far less damaging than what is claimed. Even if you put the computer in hibernation mode every day, it will not decrease more than 1% annually from the total value of the TBW we mentioned. Therefore, the next time you stop using the device, do not worry about your SSD from hibernation mode, Sleep mode, or full shutdown without hesitation.
Myth 3: SSDs are good only for speeding up booting
If you ask any new user of SSD drives about their benefits, the first thing they will mention is their significant role in increasing the speed of Windows booting, which is true indeed. By using SSD units, you will hardly see the Windows logo due to the speed of booting, which alone is a reason to abandon extremely slow HDD drives. However, it is unfair to limit the advantages of SSDs to this aspect only, as these drives have many other features such as speed in performing all tasks – not just booting – low noise, power saving, less susceptibility to temperature rise, not to mention their small physical size.
Due to the importance and features of SSD drives, they may be the missing piece your device needs. Regardless of your computer’s specifications, you will not benefit from it to the fullest extent without an SSD.
Read also: Does using an SSD improve gaming performance on your computer?
Myth 4: SSDs need defragmentation
If you search online for the best ways to improve SSD performance, you will find many results that suggest this is possible and real, just as you will see results about increasing RAM capacity or enhancing the GPU and processor to run the latest games and so on. In fact, SSDs only need you to install them in the computer, and they will work at full efficiency and features. If you use Windows, the system will handle the SSD properly, taking measures to prolong its lifespan, such as disabling the defragmentation process, which can harm this type of storage units, as we explained in the article about SSDs and defragmentation.
When these storage drives were new in the market, operating systems were not designed to be compatible with them; HDDs were the first and default choice, unlike what we see today, where almost all of us use SSDs to an extent that we do not even remember using the computer without them! Let us also draw attention to the TRIM feature found in all SSD units to delete unused data blocks and make them usable, to prevent the accumulation of unused data that may slow down the SSD’s performance. We have already explained in a previous article what TRIM technology is and how to activate it, but let me tell you that modern SSDs have become smart enough to run this feature automatically periodically in complete silence.
Myth 5: SSDs lose their data if not used continuously
Not long ago, malicious rumors spread about SSDs stating that if they are not continuously supplied with power, meaning not connected to the computer, they will lose the stored data because their electronic components will fail! According to the same rumors, data loss could occur within a few weeks or even days of disconnecting the power from these fantastic storage drives!
Most likely, these rumors originated from a misinterpretation of a previous presentation aimed at educating consumers about the risks of data loss from storage drives that have reached the end of their lifespan and are exposed to harsh climate conditions. The storage drives in question here are different from the regular SSDs we use every day, which, according to rigorous specifications, can retain data for at least a year without being supplied with electricity. Designers have taken this into account and are well aware that users are not required to use SSDs around the clock.
Myth 6: SSDs are expensive compared to HDDs
Due to the benefits that SSD drives offer that surpass standard storage drives, it is logical to be more expensive and of higher value. However, it is not as many people believe (in terms of price). Initially, yes, the prices of SSDs were exorbitant. Today, for $50, you can buy a 1 terabyte SSD!
In the interest of accuracy, it is worth mentioning that we hesitated to mention this myth because the matter is somewhat complicated; the rise in the price of the parallel dollar has shifted the balance in our Arab countries, and to be able to buy 1 terabyte of SSD storage for $50, you must be a resident of the United States or first world countries. However, overall, there is no doubt that SSD prices have decreased significantly to the point where they now compete with HDD prices, and the fact that almost all of us use them is evidence of that.
In conclusion, SSD drives have become more popular than ever, thanks to the features they offer to our computers. To the point that they may revive an outdated computer. There may come a time when we no longer hear about something called HDD, as there is no longer much benefit from it except for storage.
