Buying guide for best samsung ssds
Storing data in a computer traditionally has been done using a hard disk drive (HDD). However, for the latest storage technology, solid state drives — or SSDs — deliver improved speed and performance over HDDs.
When purchasing an SSD for a computer, you can choose from several manufacturers. Leading manufacturers of SSDs include Samsung, Kingston, Crucial, Seagate, Intel, and SanDisk. Samsung has been one of the leading SSD manufacturers for many years. It made the first 32GB SSD in 2006 and the first 1TB SSD in 2013.
Currently, Samsung offers a wide variety of solid state drives for computer storage. Samsung offers both internal and external SSDs for pairing with various computer models. Multiple read/write speeds and capacities are available from Samsung, too.
With Samsung’s multiple options, you’ll be able to find just the right SSD for your needs. Samsung makes drives for gamers who need maximum data transfer speeds, for photographers who need maximum amounts of data storage, and for everyone in between.
Key considerations
Samsung SSDs commonly are available in capacities of 250GB to 4TB. One GB (gigabyte) roughly is equal to 1,000MB (megabytes); 1TB (terabyte) roughly is equal to 1,000GB. You pay more for larger capacity drives.
External SSDs
Beyond capacity, when shopping for a Samsung solid state drive, the primary decision involves whether you want an external or internal SSD. With Samsung, internal drives are more common than external (or portable) drives.
The external SSD format from Samsung is a storage drive you can carry with you. It doesn’t have to be installed inside the computer.
You may choose to use an external SSD as a means of backing up your data stored on the internal storage drive. An external SSD also works nicely to add extra storage capacity and SSD technology to a laptop, where installing an internal SSD could be challenging.
Internal SSDs
With an internal solid state drive from Samsung, you install it inside the computer. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, you may have to employ a professional.
To install the drive, you must have free space in the computer. You also must select an SSD format that fits inside the computer and matches the connection hardware you have available.
When buying an internal SSD, you’ll often be asked to enter your computer’s make and model at the website. This information ensures the internal drive you’re considering is compatible with your system.
Features
When comparing the features found in Samsung SSDs, it’s important to pay attention to the format and the performance speeds.
Format
Three types of internal SSD drive formats are available:
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2.5-inch Serial ATA: A 2.5-inch SSD drive is similar in size and shape to a traditional HDD, which is available in 2.5- and 3.5-inch sizes. The 2.5-inch SSD can fit inside an open 2.5-inch HDD drive bay inside the computer. It can fit in a 3.5-inch bay, too, as long as an adapter is attached.
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Add-in card: An add-in card (AIC) with an SSD attached is another option. These cards fit into the PCI expansion slots on the computer’s motherboard, just like a graphics card. To use the SSD AIC, you need a free expansion slot on the motherboard.
- M.2: The M.2 SSD is a newer format that’s made to fit in tight spaces such as a laptop or a compact desktop computer. M.2 drives are similar in size to a bank of RAM chips. The M.2 format is pricier than other formats.
Read/write speeds
Every Samsung SSD lists its maximum read and write speeds. The read speed refers to how quickly the computer can access data from the drive. The write speed shows the speed at which the drive can save new data.
These speeds are listed as MB per second (MBps). Slower SSDs have speeds of 500MBps or less, while fast SSDs may have speeds of 2,500MBps or higher.
As a general rule, a Samsung SSD is able to read data at faster speeds than it can write data.
Did you know?
IOPS is short for input/output operations per second, referring to the number of operations the SSD can perform each second.
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Samsung SSD prices
The best way to compare one Samsung SSD to another is to determine the price per gigabyte (GB) of storage. Some models of SSDs list the cost per GB, or you can figure out the number on your own. External SSDs have a higher price per gigabyte than internal SSDs.
Inexpensive: The least expensive Samsung SSDs cost .08 to .15 per gigabyte, meaning you pay roughly $80 to $150 for a 1TB drive. These drives have below-average read/write speeds, so they’re made for computer users who need large capacities without high performance levels. (They’re still faster in read/write performance than HDDs.) These are primarily internal drives.
Mid-range: A mid-range Samsung SSD costs .15 to .25 per gigabyte. This translates to $150 to $250 for a 1TB SSD. For the majority of users, these Samsung SSDs have the desirable mix of value, performance, and capacity.
Expensive: The priciest SSDs from Samsung cost .25 to .50 per gigabyte, or $250 to $500 for a 1TB drive. These SSDs have extremely fast read/write performance along with a variety of capacities. They’re made for gamers and video editors who need top data access speeds.
Tips
To receive the biggest benefit from your Samsung SSD — and the highest level of performance — we’ve compiled some tips for caring for and using the drive.
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Maintain the latest firmware version. Samsung occasionally releases firmware updates for its SSDs. You should install these updates as soon as they’re released. This keeps the drive working at its fastest read/write speeds. Before updating the firmware, always back up the data stored on the SSD.
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Make regular backup copies. Even though an SSD is more reliable than an HDD, it’s still important to back up your data on a regular basis. An SSD could fail, so having a fresh copy of your data on hand can save the day.
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Avoid running at close to full capacity. As an SSD approaches its maximum storage capacity, its performance begins to suffer. This is a common problem with HDDs, too. Try to keep the amount of data stored on the SSD at no more than 90% of the drive’s capacity.
- An SSD works better with small-size files. If you’re looking for storage for extremely large files like 4K video or complex databases, an SSD may not be the best choice. Its performance advantage over an HDD is most noticeable with average- and small-size files instead of large files.
Other products we considered
For the majority of people, a Samsung SSD from our matrix should work nicely. However, if you’re looking for something a little different, we did consider a few other products that deliver good results. For an external SSD, Samsung X5 is a little pricey, but it’s available in configurations up to 2TB with an impressive write speed of up to 2.3GB per second.
Samsung 970 PRO is an internal SSD that operates at a fast write speed of 2.25GB per second. For even more read/write speed, Samsung 970 EVO Plus is one of the highest performing models you can find, offering a write speed of up to 3.3GB per second. For an inexpensive Samsung SSD, consider Samsung 860 QVO. It has capacities up to 4TB at a reasonable price per gigabyte.
FAQ
Q. Why are SSDs faster than traditional hard disk drives?
A. Hard disk drives use spinning platters to store and access data, while SSDs have no moving parts. Additionally, the HDD’s storage technology naturally causes data fragmentation, which means related data is stored in different physical locations on the platters. This slows the retrieval of data. SSD storage technology negates the effects of data fragmentation.
Q. Do SSD memory cells wear out over time?
A. Yes. However, SSD manufacturers often include wear-leveling technology to minimize this problem. Wear-leveling causes the SSD to use all memory cells a similar number of times, rather than using the same cell continuously. This reduces the chances of wearing out a cell.
Q. Are there reasons to pick HDDs over SSDs?
A. HDDs tend to have a lower price per gigabyte than SSDs, although the price gap is continually shrinking. Additionally, for those who need a huge amount of storage space in one device, an HDD is probably the better choice. HDDs are available in much larger storage capacities than SSDs.
Q. Is an SSD trustworthy for long-term storage of data?
A. SSDs perform well and are trustworthy for the majority of users, even over years of use. However, SSDs aren’t perfect. An SSD could lose data because of errors. It could lose data if it’s not used for a couple of years. If you’re someone who uses the SSD regularly for a dozen or more hours per day, the memory cells could wear out faster than they should. Regularly back up your data, just to be safe.
