Solid state drives (SSDs) are the go-to storage device for every modern computer. The speed and reliability advantage they provide over older hard disk drives (HDDs) is too big to ignore, especially considering how low SSD prices have dropped in the last few years.
That said, there’s still an ongoing debate on how long an SSD will last compared to an HDD. While it’s true that SSDs cells can’t be overwritten as many times as an HDD’s spinning metallic platter, they’ve come a long way and are very reliable.
What Determines SSD Longevity? How Long Do SSDs Last?
The massive speed boost SSDs provide over HDDs comes at a cost. SSDs are designed in a specific way which limits the number of times you can write data on the drive. After that, the drive breaks down and functions in read-only mode.
That said, while SSDs don’t have any moving parts in them, there are factors that determine their longevity.
How long your SSD will last is determined by the above factors. While manufacturers may claim that your SSD will last for ten years or more, there’s a chance you’ll exhaust the TBW or DWPD values before that period runs out. We’ve already coveredhow you can measure the lifespan of your SSDin case you want to keep an eye out for any failures.
Different SSD cell types also come into play here. Single-level cells (SLCs) generally last the longest with an average of 90,000 to 100,000 write cycles, followed by multi-level cells (TLCs), which can last up to 3,000 write cycles or up to 10,000 write cycles in the case of eMLC. Then come triple-level cells (TLCs), which will usually last around 3,000 to 5,000 write cycles, and last but not least, quad-level cells (QLCs), which only last about 1,000 write cycles.
Keep in mind that these numbers often change depending on the type of SSD and its manufacturer, so take these with a grain of salt. You should always proactively look out for any symptoms of failure and back up your data if you catch your drive failing. We’ve covered justhow long SSDs, HDDs, and even flash drives lastpreviously.
Do SSDs Last Longer Than HDDs?
Modern SSDs will last just as long as an HDD, if not more. The only reason you should be considering buying HDDs over SSDs should be if you require mass storage for archiving or other purposes that don’t require fast data access speeds, as the price per GB that HDDs offer is still comparatively lower than SSDs.
As far as reliability and lifespan are concerned, in most use cases, you can safely use an SSD and not have any concerns about reliability whatsoever. Besides, HDDs have their own problems that make them unsuitable for some applications. They can be wiped out with a strong enough magnet, and moving parts inside an HDD often wear out with time.
Are SSDs Just as Long-Lasting as HDDs?
Long story short, yes. Unless you have a specific requirement or a specialized use case, an SSD will last just as long as an HDD. Additionally, you’ll get faster data transfer speeds and other benefits that come with using an SSD.
