At RB’s Computer Service, we help a lot of business owners and personal PC users navigate options when it’s time to upgrade their office desktop and laptop computers or personal computers. Computer storage and backup needs consume most of these discussions. For example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) drive might make the most sense to back up a laptop used to manage inventory in a warehouse or used at a construction site. This is because HDDs use magnetic storage, which makes it possible in many cases to recover data even if the drive has suffered physical damage (see our March blog titled “Computer Backup and Data Recovery Strategy 101”). On the flip side, HDDs are not as fast as SSDs (Solid State Drives). Outside sales representatives and students often need both durability and speed from their computers. The workaround recommendation for getting both durability and speed is an “overprovisioned” SSD drive. In other words, when you are upgrading your office desktop, laptop, or personal computer, instead of getting a 250 gigabyte SSD drive, consider installing a 1 terabyte SSD drive (1 terabyte, “TB” equals 1,000 gigabytes “GB”). In this sense, bigger SSD drives are almost always better.
SSD Overprovisioning Defined
SSD overprovisioning is the practice of setting aside a portion of the SSD's storage capacity for use by the controller and wear leveling algorithms, rather than for user data storage. The controller is a critical component of an SSD, serving as the interface between the NAND flash memory chips and the rest of the computer system for data management, performance/speed, data integrity, and endurance/durability.
Three Ways SSD Overprovisioning Helps Speed and Durability
- Wear Leveling: SSDs use wear leveling algorithms to disburse write and erase cycles uniformly across the NAND flash memory. As a result, overprovisioning renders more space for these algorithms to work seamlessly, extending the lifespan of the SSD drive.
- Performance/Speed: Overprovisioning can enhance the performance of an SSD by giving it more space for garbage collection. This enables it to consolidate valid data and free up blocks for new data to be written.
- Reliability: By providing additional spare blocks, overprovisioning can improve the reliability of an SSD by reducing the likelihood of data loss due to cell wear or failure.
Pricing for a 250 GB SSD vs 1 TB SSD
If you are upgrading your desktop or laptop and considering an overprovisioned SSD for speed and durability, a 1 TB SSD will cost more than a 250 GB SSD. The good news is it is a stretch that most businesses and consumers can afford. But the best way to avoid purchasing something you don’t need and to ensure you select an upgrade solution that exceeds your expectations is to contact RB’s Computer Service first via email at help@rbsmn.com or call us at 763-441-3884. We love helping our customers and we sell a variety of SSD drives.
Bottom Line
If you are upgrading your office or personal computers and your priority is speed and durability, an overprovisioned SSD is likely the option for you. With that said, deciding the best storage and backup solution for your business or personal computer needs can be very frustrating because the options are very technical. At RB’s Computer Service, we get it. If your computer usage is changing, or evolving, or if you are having difficulty pinpointing what makes the most sense for you, don’t hesitate to contact RB’s Computer Service for a no-obligation consultation via email at help@rbsmn.com or call us at 763-441-3884. We love asking questions to help match your needs with a solution. In addition to storage and backup solutions, RB’s Computer Service sells SSD drives and provides Managed IT Service Agreements. Plus, we can help you install, upgrade to, or troubleshoot Windows 10 & 11. Contact us today.
References
overprovisioning (SSD overprovisioning)
https://www.techtarget.com/searchstorage/definition/overprovisioning-SSD-overprovisioning#
Understanding SSD Over-provisioning (OP)
https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/pc-performance/overprovisioning
Over-provisioning SSD for Increased Performance and Write Endurance