How to Choose a Good SSD

#Semiconductors 101 is a group that helps beginners understand more about semiconductors! In our previous series, we learned about the difference between HDD and SSD and the core components of NAND flash and SSD. During this session, we’re going to learn about important information that is good to know before purchasing an SSD. Why do you need an SSD (Solid State Drive)? Lots of people already know that an SSD can improve a computer’s data processing speed. What is the secret behind SSDs, the cheat key that improves a slow computer’s speed?

The answer lies in the controller, NAND flash, and DRAM, which are components of the SSD that makes up a computing system. They each perform the role of a “CPU (central processing unit), data storage memory, and memory device” that comprise the computing system of a PC. Because the SSD operates as an independent computing system, a computer installed with an SSD is like having another hand with a brain. As the hand and brain each do their job, the speed increases. As such, when you use an SSD, data can be processed instantly without a command from the computing system, which allows you to use the computer at a faster speed. NAND flash, the key element of SSD performance and price

Then, what are the things you have to consider when purchasing an SSD? We also talked about this during #Semiconductors 101 Lesson 2. It’s the NAND flash. NAND flash is divided into SLC (Single Level Cell), MLC (Multi Level Cell), TLC (Triple Level cell), or QLC (Quadruple Level Cell) depending on how data is stored. It might help to think of data as a person, and the cell that stores data as a studio where the person lives. It’s better to use a studio by yourself, rather than with other people, right? Similarly, the lower the bits that are stored per cell, the broader the activity range of the data and the higher the speed. Speed is inversely proportional to the amount of data in a cell. Remember that the price increases as speed increases. In other words, the closer you get to SLC, the higher the price. The closer you get to QLC, the lower the price. Because SLC is expensive, it’s difficult to find ones that are made for consumers. If you want a high-performance SSD, purchase an MLC; If you want to store large amounts of data at a cost-effective price, choose TLC or QLC. What are the specifications I have to check to choose the SSD that’s right for me?

What type of things should you look for in order to choose an SSD that’s perfect for you? First, you need to think about what you’re using the SSD for. The specifications of an SSD can be divided into continuous reading/writing speed and random reading/writing speed. If you’re using Windows OS, you should check the unit (IOPS) of the random reading/writing speed. Files are saved in various places in operation systems like Windows or Android, and the random reading speed has an impact when calling files from various places. On the other hand, if you want to save large files like movies, you should look at the continuous reading/writing speed unit (MB/s). That’s because “continuous reading” is required when continuously calling one large file.

* IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) : A unit that shows the input/output volume in 1 second MB/s (MegaBytes Per Second) : A unit that shows the MB that can be read or written in 1 second

We learned about the factors that you should examine when choosing an SSD that’s right for you. We hope you’ll make a good decision based on the SSD knowledge we shared today. We hope you look forward to the next #Semiconductors 101!