SSDs don’t live forever. Just like a hard drive, a SSD has a limited lifespanindicated (most commonly) by the number of terabytes of data that can be written to it (TBW). Most SSDs have TBW ratings that will take 5-6 years to reach, even with unrealistic amounts of data written every day. Still, you may be unknowingly lowering this number by ignoring certain best practices on your desktop or laptop. The chances of your SSD failing within the warranty period are pretty slim, but you can still do your part to make sure that never happens.
Skip firmware updates
They are not as useless as they seem.
I know that updating things like firmware and BIOS is not something everyone sticks to. In fact, recently I updated the BIOS of my PC after 4 yearsand only because I wanted to solve peculiar power cycling issues (which the update didn’t solve yet). Updating your SSD firmware is probably an even rarer phenomenon, but it could be affecting the performance and lifespan of your SSD.
Manufacturers release firmware updates to improve various SSD features such as TRIM and wear leveling, What are some of the best ways to extend the life of your SSD. Skipping crucial firmware updates will cause your unit to run less efficient maintenance processes, essentially preventing it from lasting as long as it could have. While it may not significantly improve the lifespan of your SSD, it doesn’t hurt to update the firmware.
Depriving your SSD of proper cooling
Please fix this as soon as possible
Heat is one of the biggest obstacles to the long life of an SSD. Your SSD is made up of several components such as NAND flash memory, controller and RAM memory cache. These components cannot function properly beyond a certain temperature range. For most SSDs, 70℃ is usually the maximum temperature they should operate at. An SSD that constantly runs at higher temperatures has a higher risk of failure. SSD heatsinks use thermal pads to transfer excess heat to the PC, which can then run out.
If your PC isn’t getting enough cool air or hot air coming out, your SSD (like any other component) can overheat and even suffer from thermal throttling. This problem is usually serious only for SSD Gen5but even if you’re running a high-end Gen4 unit, you need to make sure your PC airflow is optimized. If your SSD does not have a heatsink installed, find the one that came with the drive or your motherboard and install it. Alternatively, you can buy a $5 heatsink on Amazon.
Not cleaning your PC regularly
Letting the dust settle
If your desktop or laptop is covered in dust, it won’t take long for your SSD to start overheating. This is a greater risk in laptops due to the restricted space for airflow, so start cleaning your laptop regularly (if you don’t already). You may notice slow data transfer, boot time, or slow game loading times, which may be a sign of an overheating SSD. If this is due to dust buildup on your PC, a deep clean is an easy solution.
For cleaning your desktop towerYou can use a can of compressed air to remove most of the dust. Using isopropyl alcohol to remove the rest of the grime will leave you with a clean PC that can finally breathe. Although thermal throttling is not a big concern for Gen4 (or Gen3) SSDs, slowing performance and reduced lifespan are very real concerns.
Ignore power backup and surge protection
Don’t leave things to chance
The power grid in your area may be reliable, but outages and surges can affect anyone. A power outage can arise at any time due to an outdated electrical grid or an emergency. When this happens, a computer running without a UPS can suffer data loss and damage to its components. A power surge can also overload your power supply and affect your sensitive components. A UPS with built-in surge protection can keep your SSD and PC safe in the event of an unlikely power-related incident.
If you haven’t created a backup of your dataA power surge can leave you frustrated and regretting your mistake. Invest in a UPS It’s not expensive, once you consider the benefits. It’s wise to protect thousands of dollars’ worth of PC hardware with a power backup solution, even if you need that solution only a few times.
- Brand
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APC
- Burden
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1500VA / 900W
- Battery
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SLA
- Points of sale
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10 (5 connected to battery)
- Ports
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3x RJ45, 2x coaxial
- Show
-
Yeah
The APC BX1500M is a high-quality premium UPS with a maximum load capacity of 1500 VA and 900 W. Whether you have a desktop PC, a monitor, a router, a printer or all of the above, this UPS will be able to handle it all.
Give your SSD the best chance
Modern SSDs rarely fail within the warranty period and you’re more likely to replace one before that happens. Still, it is possible to extend the life of your SSD if you keep a few rules in mind. Cleaning your PC regularly, ensuring optimal airflow, installing a heatsink on the SSD, investing in power backup and surge protection, and updating firmware are some simple and effective steps you can take to protect your SSD from overheating and data loss.
