Should I use SSD for long term data backup?

While it is necessary to install a supported drive in a network attached storage (NAS) system or computer case, for various reasons, users should not use an SSD to back up all their data. Instead, an HDD may be a better choice.

Limited offline data storage

If you turn off your PC, remove your SSD, and store it for a year or two, there’s a chance that the data won’t be recoverable. This happens because SSDs use electricity to charge the cells inside their memory chips. Even when they’re powered off, SSDs retain a small amount of charge. If they’re not connected to a power source and aren’t used regularly, they’ll start to discharge.

Có nên dùng SSD để sao lưu dữ liệu dài hạn? - Ảnh 1. — SSDs need to be powered up regularly to avoid data loss.

The time before an SSD discharges and data is lost depends on the temperature of the storage location. Writing a new backup to an SSD can restore the situation, but the user will have trouble reading the data from the SSD. Conversely, if the HDD is stored securely, the backup data will last much longer.

SSD costs more per GB

While SSD prices have come down over the years, they are still significantly more expensive than HDDs. A 1TB SSD costs around $40 for a 2.5-inch SATA drive, while an M.2 NVMe SSD of the same capacity can cost as much as $100. Meanwhile, a 10TB HDD costs around $100, which is a better value for storage, although it can’t match the performance of an NVMe drive.

Limited capacity

SSDs larger than 4TB are hard to find, and 8TB SSDs are rare and expensive. For data backup, spending more money on an SSD is not a reasonable option, especially when users are limited by the number of drive slots on the motherboard. Meanwhile, HDDs can have capacities of over 20TB, allowing users to store more data without needing multiple drives.

Có nên dùng SSD để sao lưu dữ liệu dài hạn? - Ảnh 2. — SSD storage space is much lower than HDD

Risk of failure without warning

While any drive can fail suddenly, it is more likely to happen with SSDs. Despite advances in technology, HDDs can still fail in a predictable manner, giving users enough time to migrate data or replace the drive before problems arise. SSDs, on the other hand, can fail at any time without warning.

In summary, when choosing between SSD and HDD for long-term data storage, HDD has more advantages in terms of durability, cost and storage capacity.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-nen-dung-ssd-de-sao-luu-du-lieu-dai-han-185250303184602314.htm