SSD is not just another computer component. It is what determines whether your laptop will start up in 15 seconds, whether you will have time to brew coffee while your browser is open. Nowadays, speed is important in everything - and a computer is no exception. Whether you're upgrading your hard drive or building a PC from scratch, choosing an SSD is one of the most important steps you can take. But how do you avoid getting confused by all those "NVMe", "QLC" and "TBW"? Don't worry - we at Recorder have prepared a simple and straightforward guide for you. Without complicated terms, but with everything that really matters.
SSD capacity: how many gigabytes is "enough"?
As soon as you decide to get an SSD, the first thing you ask yourself is: how much capacity do I need? And it's no surprise - no one wants a drive that only has room for an operating system and one movie. It all depends on what you use your device for.
We at Recorder often advise you to follow a simple rule of thumb: it's better to have a little extra space than to keep deleting things. But we have a few more recommendations:
- For office work, studies or nettops - a 240-256 GB model will suffice. This is the minimum to live comfortably without spam with warnings "not enough space".
- For normal use (surfing, movies, some games) - we advise 480-512 GB. There is already room to breathe here.
- For games or work with media content - take from 1 TB and above. For example, one modern game can "eat" 100+ GB, and if you also edit video - the space melts like ice cream in the heat.
Leave at least 10-15% of the drive free - this will prolong the life of the drive, because SSDs don't like to work at full capacity.
Flash memory type
Capacity isn't the whole story. What's inside is also important. After all, it's the type of memory that determines how fast an SSD is, how many years it will last, and whether or not it can handle daily use. They're all based on NAND flash memory, but there are different types of storage cells, and they behave differently.
Here's a no-nonsense explanation:
- SLC (Single-Level Cell) - stores 1 bit in each cell. Very fast and reliable, but expensive. This type of memory is used in server solutions or for super-critical tasks.
- MLC (Multi-Level Cell) - the golden mean, which is almost impossible to find anymore. Stores 2 bits per cell. A balance between speed, reliability and price.
- TLC (Triple-Level Cell) - the most common today. Stores 3 bits per cell. Good balance of price, speed and reliability. Slightly lower endurance compared to MLC.
- QLC (Quad-Level Cell) - cheap, but with nuances. Stores 4 bits. In short: lots of space for a small price. Good for storing files, photos, videos. But under heavy loads - not the best option.
For most users - TLC is the best choice. If you found QLC - also an option, but pay attention to the presence of cache or DRAM, about this will be a little further.
Form Factor: How to figure out which one is right for you
Well, you already have a rough idea of how many gigabytes you need and what type of memory is suitable. But now the big question is: where do you put this disk drive? This is where the story of form factors comes into play - that is, what shape and size the drive is, and exactly how it connects to your laptop or computer.
SATA (2.5")
A classic of the genre. Connects via a SATA cable. Fits most PCs and laptops (if you have the space). Speeds up to 550MB/s. It's not a record, but it's more than enough for basic tasks.
M.2
The most popular option today. This is a "bar" without wires, which is inserted directly into the motherboard. There are two variants:
- with SATA support (no faster than 2.5");
- with NVMe support (and this is already a cosmos in speed).
Suitable for modern laptops and PCs. But it's important to check if your motherboard supports the type of M.2 you need.
U.2
This is almost a "professional sport". It looks like regular SATA, but connects differently and is much faster. It is used in server systems or very powerful workstations. For a home user it is rather an exception.
mSATA
An old standard for laptops. A small card that is disappearing from the market. Unless you have an old ultrabook, you probably won't need it.
PCIe (via video card slot)
A large "board" that plugs directly into a PCIe slot on the motherboard. This is the fastest possible and is often used in professional tasks: video editing, working with large databases. But for the average user - it's like buying a race car for trips to the supermarket.
If you have a modern laptop or PC - take M.2 NVMe, if you have an old system - SATA 2.5". And then look at your needs.
Read and write speed: Is it really that important?
Yes, it is. Imagine you're ripping movies, opening a game, or working with a large video. If your SSD is slow, it's long and frustrating. Whereas with a good drive, everything runs fast and without lag. So the difference in speed isn't just a number in the specs, it's a real convenience every day.
Reading speed shows how quickly programs open, the system loads, or games run. And write speed is important when you save, copy or export files. Sometimes even a 10-15 second difference makes a difference, especially if you do it often.
What the numbers show:
- SATA SSD - up to 550MB/s. That's the maximum for its class. Fast, but not lightning fast.
- M.2 NVMe SSD - 1000 to 7000+ MB/s. Ideal for gaming, editing, "heavy" tasks.
- QLC-memory - sometimes the speed drops noticeably when making large copies. For TV series - ok, for work - not always.
Our advice: you shouldn't overpay for a super-fast disk if you just watch movies or work in Word. But when you play games or edit videos, you'll definitely feel the difference.
Connectivity Interfaces
Choosing a good SSD is only half the battle. It's also important to connect it correctly. And for that, you need to understand what interface your computer or laptop supports. Because a conditional "super-fast SSD" will do nothing if the system is simply not able to "overclock" it to the fullest.
Here is a brief and understandable about the most popular interfaces:
- SATA - works in 2.5-inch SSDs. Reliable, universal, but limited in speed - up to 550 MB/s. Suitable for older laptops and PCs that don't have an M.2 connector.
- M.2 is a compact form factor that plugs directly into the board. But M.2 isn't always fast! It comes in both SATA (slower) and NVMe (fast!). So it's important to look not only at the connector, but also at the protocol support.
- NVMe is no longer just an interface, but a data transfer protocol. It works over the PCIe bus (not SATA), so it provides many times the speed. If you see an SSD with NVMe, it's a modern, fast option. Ideal for gaming, video, graphics work.
- U.2 is a rare guest in ordinary PCs, but is found in professional systems. It is similar to SATA in appearance, but has NVMe speed. If you do not collect a server or workstation - you can ignore it.
- PCIe - disks that plug directly into the motherboard slot (like a video card). They look massive and are very fast. An option for enthusiasts and those who want maximum performance.
Always check exactly what your system supports before buying. This is especially important with laptops - not all of them have M.2 or NVMe.
Lifespan and TBW
SSDs don't have moving parts like older hard drives, but that doesn't mean SSDs last forever. Every drive has a lifespan - and it's TBW (Total Bytes Written) that indicates how much data can be written to the drive over its "lifetime".
For example, if the specifications say TBW is 300 TB, that means you can write 300 terabytes of data to the drive before it starts to wear out.
But don't be alarmed: 300 TB is a lot. Even if you write 50 GB every day (which is already very active), the drive will last more than 15 years. And most users don't even write 10GB a day.
Supported technologies and features: the little things that make a big difference
Gigabyte capacity, megabyte speed, and terabyte capacity are all important. But an SSD isn't just a set of chips that "shove" data back and forth. A good drive has a brain inside - additional features that make it faster, more stable, and more durable. And here are a few of them worth knowing about.
DRAM cache
Temporary memory that speeds up the drive significantly. When it's there, the file copies faster and the system runs smoother. When it is absent, the drive "thinks" under heavy load. That's why it's better to choose an SSD with DRAM, especially if you plan to use it actively.
TRIM
A "clean-up" function on the disk. It helps you delete unnecessary data, making room for new data and maintaining high speed even after several years.
SMART
This is like a diary of your SSD's health. It keeps statistics, warns you about possible problems and allows you to detect failures in time. You can check it via free utilities - for example, CrystalDiskInfo.
So look not only at the numbers in the specifications, but also at these "little things" - they are responsible for your comfort every day.
Which brand to choose
If the characteristics of several options are similar, the brand is often the deciding factor. This is normal - you want to buy something reliable, not wondering if the disk will "fall off" in a year. There are quite a few options on the market, but some manufacturers have a long-standing reputation for consistent quality.
Kingston
One of the most popular options. Their SSDs are well balanced in price and quality. There are basic models for everyday tasks, and more powerful models for gaming or video work.
Transcend
Reliability and simplicity. Often chosen for office equipment, training or just "set and forget". Their models do not chase records, but work stably.
WD (Western Digital)
A brand that has been working with drives for a long time. They produce both budget lines and very fast NVMe models for enthusiasts. WD Black is almost synonymous with "perfect for gaming".
Crucial
Another player worth mentioning. Their SSDs have a good reputation for reliability and price. Crucial is often the choice when you want something of quality, but without overpaying for a brand.
In the end, there is no single "right" brand - the main thing is that the model meets your needs and does not cause doubts after the purchase.
Choosing an SSD based on purpose
We've already gone over everything important: connectors, volumes, speed, brands... But there is one more thing without which the choice will be incomplete - what exactly you need the disk for. After all, a disk for laptop, gaming or video editing are not the same thing. So here are some tips on how to choose according to your needs.
For laptops
Here it is important that the disk is compact, energy efficient and does not overheat. The most common format is M.2-format (sometimes SATA). If you have a MacBook Pro - pay attention to compatibility and it is desirable to take an SSD with NVMe support, because the system is quite "capricious" to updates.
For PCs
Here you can go wild. There is room for both classic 2.5" SATA SSDs and high-speed NVMe SSDs. Choose based on your budget and needs - if you just want to use the system and work with documents, even a budget model will do. When you want speed, go for M.2 NVMe.
For gaming
Games are getting "heavier" every year. One installation - and minus 100 GB. That's why you should get an SSD for at least 1 TB and with a decent write speed. M.2 NVMe is almost a must-have here, because it speeds up booting, reduces lags and generally improves the experience.
For video editing and graphics
Speed and reliability are critical here. We recommend NVMe SSDs with DRAM cache and high TBW. Such models better withstand loads and do not "give up" during rendering or working with large files. The volume - from 1 TB, more is better.
And if you don't want to bother with selection of components and compatibility, you can simply choose a ready-made variant. We at Recorder have refurbished laptops that are fully tested, upgraded with modern SSDs and ready to work from the first startup. It's convenient, cost-effective and accurate without the extra headache.
Conclusions
SSD is a case where one small component can make a big difference in the performance of your device. At Recorder, we believe: tech should work for you, not the other way around. That's why we hope this guide has helped you put everything in perspective and choose the right drive for you.