? What are important SSD features for reliability, & speed? Just learned that a DRAM-LESS SSD is not a good thing. What should I make sure my next SSD has?
I use drives with MLC, rather than TLC NAND, for better reliability and read reviews before buying. Performance isn't really much a consideration for me, as any SSD will be much faster than a hard drive. I find Amazon to be an excellent source of reviews (aside from fake ones) as people often update their reviews, if they have issues with their SSDs later on.
zapjb, Does your motherboard support NVMe M.2 SSDs? They are faster and not much more expensive than standard SSDs.
I heard heat is an issue. And I too don't need faster. Now I'm looking at 480GB 3D $70 & a 500GB MLC $93. But I'm still looking & am in no hurry.
It's a desktop. I have 4 standard SSDs, 1 M.2 and another M.2 on the way. No HDs. For you, get a standard SSD.
A nice chunk of DRAM!!!! For those who don't like Linus Tech Tips because you don't like Linus, or are annoyed by his mannerisms, get over it. Just because someone is unlikable, has green teeth, poor hygiene, or is annoying, that does not mean the information they provide is wrong. In this case, Linus provides some excellent information and most importantly, correct information about DRAM-less SSDs. So PLEASE, refrain from dragging down the thread with the biased based derogatory comments about the presenter and note the facts given about DRAM-less SSDs. Linus's information is spot on, even if presented in a manner some don't appreciate. So, to see why I say make sure you get a SSD with on-board DRAM, see the Linus Tech Tip, What are DRAM-less SSDs? Note the problem with DRAM-less SSDs, as a class of SSDs, is not heat (though there certainly could be some specific models that are affected) but rather performance and expected life span - the two main reasons, IMO, to go with SSDs over HDs! Yes, DRAM-less SSDs are still faster than hard drives, and yes, DRAM-less SSDs are less expensive than standard SSDs with on-board DRAM. But as Linus explains, there are significant trade-offs for the few $£€$£€$£€ you may save. So I recommend you wait, save your pennies, build up your budget and get a standard SSD with DRAM on board. You won't be disappointed.
To answer the question, SSD features to look at are really the read/write speeds. All modern SSDs will use SATA revision 3 which has a standard speed of 6Gb/s. Since the interface speeds will be the same with all SATA R3 SSDs, you would want to look at the I/O speeds. Most are remotely close to 500MB/s though. Since most have closely related attributes, you would then look at reliability. Honestly, if you can, go for a M.2 SSD, the new standard. These are often low profile, use a PCIe slot, and have speeds 6x faster than the traditional SSD.
Thanks for weighing in with your reply. And absolutely agree on this, seen in person M-2 in action and am prepping for some laps that have the additional slot for them. They are enormously faster!!
Note that M.2 is just a form factor, afaik NVMe SSD is the correct term. You also have M.2 SATA SSD's, which are not faster and even if you get a NVMe M.2 SSD, you need to make sure your M.2 slot in your computer isn't limited to SATA. Only a few brands have SSD's with power capacitors that protect against sudden power loss, but those models seem in decline.
A quick and simple Google search shows the difference. Yes, M.2 is a form factor, but NVMe is not. NVMe SSDs may be M.2, or they may use the PCIe slot. What is M.2? What is NVMe?
Ah yes, thanks. So if you want a fast SSD you need either a NVMe PCIe-card SSD or a NVMe M.2 SSD, and if you get the latter one you need to make sure you M.2 slot also supports PCIe.
Much just depends on what you are used to. Even the slowest SSD is much faster than the fastest hard drive. So the difference between a fast hard drive and a slow SATA SSD is much greater (and more noticeable) than the difference between a SATA SSD and a NVMe SSD.
Thank You @Bill_Bright. I know for a FACT that M-2 SSD is absolutely higher velocity. A local business computer sales shop went into detail and I witnessed the results. Skeptic that I am, I made it point to question a lot and I didn't even need to ask for a demonstration as they were more than satisfied to prove that claim live and in living color right before my very eyes. The laptops demo clearly showed results good enough for this hot rodder from the 1970's and yes the M.2 slots of course must be already integrated into those units to make use of them.
I'm regretting how I titled this. Instead of: "? What are important SSD features for reliability, & speed?" I should have & meant to entitle this: What are important SSD features for reliability?