Things that should not be done with a solid state drive (SSD)

Since its introduction in the market of SSDs (Solid State Drive - SSD) have passed a lot of time. Prices for this product is steadily decreasing, making it more and more accessible, and now drive 120 GB will cost about 4000 rubles. In fact, if you want to upgrade your PC now, then buying a SSD will become one of the most effective ratio results / cost options. You do not have to throw away the existing hard drive (it only partially replace its function, becoming the repository Media and other heavy files), and the performance of your computer in almost all operating modes significantly will increase.

Users who are not particularly interested in the world of iron, can not quite clearly understand the fundamental difference between SSD from the usual magnetic hard disk HDD, and the novelty is often seen by them as the same HDD, only faster, smaller, lighter and more expensive. That lack of understanding of fundamental differences in the HDD and SSD can lead to incorrect use of SSD, which in severe cases, will bring all his benefits to zero. Yes, the SSD need to properly use, but do not be afraid - the user does not require any painstaking daily deep technical actions. Most of it is required simply to do a few simple things, and today we present a list of "do not" for anyone who has decided to screw their workhorse nimble SSD.

Techies, here razglyadevshy captaincy, we ask to take into account the fact that if it was you all know it, then you probably know the fact that there are other people who are just not know. Replace the usual "thank cap" on your further advice, together we will make the Internet more useful.

Do not defragment

You do not need to defragment the SSD. If the old Windows with FAT32 you by inertia and defragment (although the same NTFS excellent health feels, and without it), then with the acquisition of SSD defragmentation (most SSD) can and should be forgotten altogether.

SSD have a limited number of write cycles (typically cheaper than the disc, the less it resource), and its content is shoveling definitely not benefit term operation. Yes, the latest SSD models have a very large supply of write cycles, and you are unlikely to get to the limit, when the disc cease to work correctly, even if part of the record, but here it is more likely that she defragmentation meaningless for SSD.

The HDD used mechanical parts. Head that reads data roaming back and forth across the surface of the magnetic disk. Accordingly, the more scattered the specific data on the disk, the more it is necessary movements and time to complete reading of the data. The SSD does not move, and access to every memory cell is carried out equally fast and does not depend on the relative position of the data.

Do not format

We are accustomed to the fact that for the full and final removal from the HDD has to be used additional funds: formatting, special utility like DBAN or Wiper tool, which is part of CCleaner. This is done in order to cunning attacker was unable to recover deleted data from your disk using a utility such as Recuva.

In the case of SSD's different. It's not even here in the drive, and the operating system. If you use more or less than the actual operating system (Windows 7+, Mac OS X 10.6.8+, Linux with the Linux kernel 2.6.28+), then final data from the disk removal system assumes, moreover does automatically using the TRIM.

TRIM realizes the possibility for the OS to "inform" solid-state drive that the file is completely deleted and the need to clean them occupied sector. Some of the first SSD model does not support TRIM, but it was so long ago (and these SSD cost so much) that the probability of falling to zero on a drive model.

Do not use the Windows XP and Windows Vista

New toy - a new AXIS! And it's not in the novelty. Just XP and Vista do not support TRIM. In the previous section we have given the concept of TRIM, and now need to explain the effect of the lack of this feature on the SSD. If there is no TRIM, after the removal of the file data will still remain on the disk. As a result, when in the same sector will again be recorded information, first they will have to clean up, and only then write data to them. Unnecessary untimely operation -> speed decrease.

In modern operating systems TRIM enabled by default. The user need not do anything. Just leave it as it is and enjoy SSD speeds.

Not to overflow

To SSD working at full speed, it is necessary to maintain a free space of about 25%. Sounds a bit unfair: you buy an expensive SSD in it, and so little space, the system sees it less space than is written on the box, but there is also asked to leave in reserve a quarter of the volume? Unfortunately yes. This feature of the SSD works, and so far the best widely available technology we have. Will have to adopt rules for the best rate.

From the point of view of internal processes performance drop with a small amount of free space is explained as follows: a lot of space - a lot of free blocks. When writing the file data are written into free blocks. Not enough space - a lot of partially filled blocks and small blocks completely free. When writing a file will have to be considered first, the system is partially filled with a block in the cache, add new data and then record already modified block back to disk. And so for each block.

Limit of 25% is taken not from the ceiling. guys come to this figure of AnandTechWho conducted the study based SSD performance from his fullness.

In fact, if you use SSD exactly where he is most strong, the need to leave a quarter of free space will not bother you. Now we are just going to talk about what the role of the SSD is the most effective.

Do not use as a repository

Buying SSD storage on it movies and music library - a bad idea. HDD speeds would be enough to comfortably record and watch with them and FullHD movie and listen to music Losless. SSD is needed, where is the most important access and write speeds.

SSD to be used as a system disk. On it there should be an operating system, application, and, if absolutely necessary, the modern game. Nothing more.

With the understanding that the SSD ideally serves as a catalyst for the most demanding fast operation process computer (work OS - the foundation of everything, fast operation-critical applications, high-speed reading of data from the "body" of the game), the need to hammer it to failure at all disappears. SSD - is a dedicated fast lane only for the most important.

If you still want to use a fast SSD as a storage facility, just count the cost rubles per gigabyte for him and for the HDD.

What if you bought a fancy new ultrabook, which only has the SSD, and I want to record movies? Purchase external hard drive or a USB 3.0 interface Thunderbolt (provided that such a standard supported by beech).

We hope that this information will help you start using the SSD as intended and as efficiently as possible.