The Ultimate SSD Guide: How They Work, M.2 Standards, Speeds, And Durability

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have become the backbone of modern computing, replacing traditional hard drives in most PCs and laptops. They offer faster performance, greater durability, and more efficient use of space, making them essential for operating systems, gaming, and everyday software. In this guide, we explain how SSDs work, compare them to hard drives, explore M.2 standards, and highlight why read speeds are often overestimated. We also provide model recommendations and discuss the durability of SSDs to help you make an informed choice.

Differences Between Hard Drives And SSDs

The main difference between an SSD and a hard drive is that the SSD stores data electronically, with no mechanical processes required. Hard drives rely on spinning metal discs and moving read/write arms, which introduce delays and vulnerability to mechanical damage. SSDs, by contrast, offer near-instant access times, faster data rates, and greater durability.

While hard drives typically achieve 120–150 MB/s read speeds, SATA SSDs reach 400–500 MB/s, and M.2 PCIe SSDs can exceed 3500 MB/s, with modern PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 models reaching 7000–14000 MB/s. The lack of moving parts also makes SSDs more robust against shocks and physical damage.

SSDs: M.2 Sizes, PCIe Standards, And Heatsinks

M.2 SSDs connected via PCIe are significantly faster than SATA SSDs. SATA SSDs, usually in 2.5-inch format, are limited to 600 MB/s. M.2 SSDs, typically in the 2280 format (22mm wide, 80mm long), are installed directly onto the motherboard, saving space and eliminating cables.

PCIe standards (3.0, 4.0, 5.0) are backward compatible, but performance is limited by the slot’s maximum speed. Some SSDs include heatsinks to prevent throttling during sustained transfers, though compatibility with motherboard slots must be checked. Modern motherboards often include multiple M.2 slots, sometimes with built-in cooling solutions.

Importance Of Data Rates Often Overestimated

High transfer rates of M.2 SSDs matter less in everyday use and gaming. Loading times are influenced more by file unpacking and algorithm processing than raw read speeds. Tests show minimal differences between SATA and PCIe SSDs in game loading times, with faster SSDs offering only small percentage improvements. For most users, paying large premiums for higher read speeds is unnecessary, though small price differences may justify choosing faster models.

Prices And Model Recommendations

SSDs remain more expensive per gigabyte than hard drives, but prices have dropped significantly. A 2TB SSD can cost around 90–120 euros, while 4TB models range from 225–285 euros. Hard drives still offer cheaper bulk storage, but SSDs are recommended for operating systems and games due to their speed and reliability.

Here are 11 recommended M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD models offering strong price-performance ratios:

TBW: Durability Of SSDs

SSDs have a finite number of write cycles, measured as TBW (Terabytes Written). For example, an SSD with 500 TBW can handle 500 terabytes of data written before reaching its limit. In practice, this equates to many years of normal use. Even writing 100 GB daily would take over 13 years to reach 500 TBW. Modern SSDs are therefore reliable and durable for everyday users, with TBW values offering reassurance rather than cause for concern.