SolidStateDrive

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores data on flash memory or other non-volatile memory technologies and uses an electronic controller to manage data access. Unlike traditional hard disk drives, SSDs have no moving parts, which results in faster access times, lower latency, improved durability, and quieter operation. They are commonly used as the primary storage in personal computers, laptops, and data centers, where rapid booting, application loading, and overall system responsiveness are valued.

SSDs come in multiple form factors and interfaces. Common form factors include 2.5-inch drives, M.2 cards, and PCIe add-in cards. Interfaces range from SATA, which provides broad compatibility but limited speed, to PCIe with the NVMe protocol, which offers substantially higher throughput and lower latency. NVMe-based drives typically deliver the highest performance, while SATA-based drives remain widespread for compatibility and cost considerations.

Most SSDs use NAND flash memory and a controller that orchestrates wear leveling, wear management, error correction, and data placement. NAND can be organized as single-level (SLC), multi-level (MLC), triple-level (TLC), or quad-level (QLC) cells, with 3D NAND stacking increasing capacity and endurance. In addition to the memory, SSDs include caches (often DRAM) and firmware that implement functions such as garbage collection and TRIM, which help maintain performance over time. Performance characteristics include high sequential and random read/write speeds, low latency, and strong burst performance, but endurance and sustained throughput depend on the memory type, capacity, and workload.

Endurance is typically described by metrics such as TBW (total bytes written) or DWPD (drive writes per day). Modern drives balance performance, capacity, cost, and endurance, making SSDs a common choice for operating systems, critical applications, and high-IO workloads.

Historically, SSDs emerged in the 1990s and gained popularity in consumer electronics and enterprise storage in the 2000s and 2010s. Advancements in NAND technology and the NVMe protocol have driven rapid improvements in speed, reliability, and affordability, leading to widespread adoption across computing environments.