Type 2: Solid State Drive (SSD)

Type 2: Solid State Drive (SSD)

How It Works:

Uses flash memory (NAND chips) with NO moving parts. Data is stored in electronic circuits by trapping electrical charges in memory cells. Like a giant, permanent USB stick!

Key Components:

• NAND flash chips: Store data in memory cells (millions of tiny transistors)
• Controller: Manages data, wear leveling, error correction
• DRAM cache: Small amount of fast memory for frequently accessed data
• No moving parts: Completely electronic, silent operation

Advantages:

• Very fast - 500-7000 MB/s (NVMe), 0.1ms access time (100x faster than HDD)
• No moving parts - durable, shock-resistant, silent
• Low power consumption - better battery life for laptops
• Lightweight and compact - ideal for thin laptops
• No mechanical wear - more reliable than HDD (fewer failure modes)

Disadvantages:

• More expensive per GB than HDD (£0.10-0.15 per GB)
• Lower maximum capacity (consumer SSDs typically max at 4-8TB)
• Limited write cycles (P/E cycles) - typically 3,000-100,000 depending on type
• Data can degrade if unpowered for years (charge leakage)
• More difficult/expensive to recover data if it fails

Types of SSD:

• SATA SSD: Uses same connector as HDD (500-550 MB/s) - most common, good upgrade
• NVMe SSD: Uses PCIe connection (2000-7000 MB/s) - fastest, used in modern PCs
• M.2 form factor: Small stick-like design, plugs directly into motherboard

Best Used For:

• Operating system drive (Windows/macOS boots in seconds)
• Applications and games (instant loading, no stuttering)
• Laptops (durability, battery life, weight, shock resistance)
• Video editing, 3D rendering, databases (fast random access)
• Any situation where speed and reliability matter more than cost