Resolved Solid State Drives vs Flash Drives

Are there really any differences between the two (internally)?

From what I've read, solid state drives (SSDs) share the same memory components as their flash drive brethren - except that SSDs may have better hardware inside.

 

this link from Seagate might help answer your question

 

USB Flash Drive Versus SSD: Revealing the Differences

 

I guess it's just a matter of time before I replace my new Seagate HD with an SSD. I'm waiting for the prices to fall. Remember how expensive USB drives used to be? I think I paid about $30 for a 250mb (doubles as an ink pen) PNY drive back in 2006. Wonder how long it will take for SSD prices to fall?

 

They've already fallen. In early 2007, when Samsung introduced its SSD it had a capacity of 32GB and a hefty price tag of around $1000. Current pricing for a 256 GB SSD is down to $150.

 

That ain't low enough.

 

Quote from Seagate article...

Hard drives can take the data directly from the host and write it to the rotating media. In contrast, SSDs can’t write a single bit of information without first erasing and then rewriting very large blocks of data at one time (also referred to as P/E [program/erase] ).​

I didn't know that. I thought old data stored in flash was overwritten by the new data. I guess that would make it harder for data thieves to steal personally identifiable information (or PII for short).

 

I think the easy way to remember is that flash drives typically connect via USB - meaning they typically are "removable" storage devices.

SSDs are "permanent" storage devices that connect via SATA (primarily) interface (even if installed in a USB enclosure).

@Arie - great SSD articles. I am glad you address the limited number of writes issue - or rather that it is no longer an issue with modern SSDs.

In the past, I have moved my temporary Internet files folder location off the boot drive but no longer. I keep it on my SSD for best performance now. No regrets. But I quickly add, it is a decent sized 256Gb SSD for Windows, HW drivers, and applications only (no personal data files) with 190Gb free.

I also left my PF on the SSD as Windows managed - also no regrets. It seems W8 is pretty smart about managing the PF when it sees it is on a SSD vs HD. I have 16Gb of RAM installed. Typically with a HD, Windows would recommend an outrageous amount of space for the PF - something approaching 24Gb. But with the SSD as my boot drive, Windows recommends just 5627Mb (5.6Gb) for the PF size but has currently allocated a miserly 2432MB (2.4Gb).

With that in mind, I recommend letting Windows manage the PF in all cases - with the one exception being a temporary measure if critically low on disk space. Temporary until a substantial amount of space can be freed up, or more space is purchased.

 

Thanks for all the input and links!

 

Kingston SSDNow V300 Series SV300S37A/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $69.99

 

Wow, that's a great price.

The 60Gb model is twenty dollars less, but the 120Gb drive is a better buy. Thanks for sharing that link, Doc.

 

You're welcome James.

 

Is that plastic adapter for traditional 3.5" drive bays? It looks too thin to run a screw through.


EDIT: Maybe this is what I need? (Plus an extra SATA cable. Without looking, I assume the power supply has an extra connector)

2.5" To 3.5" Bay SSD HDD Notebook Hard Disk Drive Metal Black Mounting Bracket Adapter Tray Kit ​

 

1) That small 2mm-thick plastic rectangle that comes with the 7mm-thick Kingston SSD is a shim that goes under the drive to make it 9mm thick . . . so that it will fit properly within the space where a normal 9mm-thick hard drive (spinner) resides in a laptop.

2) Yes, that "2.5" To 3.5" Bay SSD HDD Notebook Hard Disk Drive Metal Black Mounting Bracket Adapter Tray Kit" is what you could use to mount the 2.5" Kingston SSD in a 3.5" drive bay. (With or without the 2mm-thick plastic shim).

 

Thanks, Doc.

I hope to get one soon.

 

You're welcome.