Myths and Misinformation About SSDs – DIY in 5 Ep 269

Опубликовано 22 февраля 2026, 14:00

A lot has been said about solid state drives’ capabilities and limitations. This video sorts the myths and misinformation from the truth.

SSDs never fail?
SSDs are made of flash cells, while hard disk drives (HDDs) store data on magnetic disks. Failures are possible through the regular lifespan of an SSD, which is why you should prioritize ordering SSDs from dedicated suppliers who thoroughly test every drive they make to ensure quality. A joint study by the University of Toronto Canada and Google (usenix.org/conference/fast16/t... found that SSDs needed replacing at a fourth of the rate that HDDs did. This statement is a myth, but we can say with confidence that SSDs are far more reliable than HDDs.

SSDs always improve performance?
SSDs are pretty useful, but not silver bullets for underperforming computers. If you want to reduce load times for your operating system, games, or other software, an SSD will get you there. For enhancing FPS in those games, or improved multi-tasking, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Consider upgrading your DRAM, or a new GPU. This statement is unfortunately a myth.

SSDs only improve boot time?
There are so many benefits to SSDs besides boot time (although boot time is a significant and easily observable improvement). SSDs are generally faster than HDDs. They produce less heat and noise when operating. They take up less space. They’re more energy-efficient. They excel in high-intensity tasks like gaming. They’re much more impact-resistant, very important for laptops and other portables. This statement is definitely a myth.

SSDs lose their data if unpowered?
In years past, some SSDs were vulnerable to their flash cells losing their charge if left unpowered. These days, most consumer SSDs effortlessly retain data for years. Factors like high temperature and high amount of P/E cycles can contribute to charge leaks. If you are concerned about your SSDs losing their charge while unpowered, connect them to your system periodically and use them. Periodic LBA-scans can also help refresh data. You should update your drive’s firmware while using the drive, too. This statement is true, but it’s not really a concern for most people, and way less prevalent today than in the past.

Hibernation mode is bad for SSDs?
Hibernation mode, when your system’s RAM contents are written to storage so that your computer can pick up where it left off later, has been speculated to be detrimental to an SSD’s overall lifespan, since it requires more P/E cycles. In reality, daily hibernation has a negligible effect on the drive’s lifespan per year. It just isn’t very impactful. This is one that can be consigned to myth.

Upgrading to an SSD is difficult?
This is a case of a myth that may have been true a decade ago (which is something like two generations ago in tech terms). These days, nearly every computer is made for SSDs as default. It’s never been easier to install an SSD on a computer. It’s something the average user could do in their lunch hour. Absolutely a myth.
When considering an upgrade to an SSD, or replacing an aging one, your priority should be choosing a quality drive that has been rigorously tested to minimize the possibilities of drive failure. Kingston’s SSDs undergo a patented testing process to ensure reliability. And that’s no myth!
If you have any myths about SSDs you’d like to disprove or confirm, share them below!
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