# ATG 19: Are SSDs More Reliable Than HDDs?

**URL:** <https://www.twit.community/t/atg-19-are-ssds-more-reliable-than-hdds/5031>\
**Category:** Ask The Tech Guy (vintage)\
**Tags:** episode\
**Created:** [December 30, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/atg-19-are-ssds-more-reliable-than-hdds/5031 "2019-12-30T14:25:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Leo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/www.twit.community/leo/32/16203_2.png) [@Leo](https://www.twit.community/u/Leo)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/atg-19-are-ssds-more-reliable-than-hdds/5031/1 "2019-12-30T14:25:01Z")

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Beep boop - this is a robot. A new show has been posted to TWiT…

> **[Ask The Tech Guy 19 Are SSDs More Reliable Than HDDs? | TWiT.TV](https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guy/episodes/19)**
>
> Leo Laporte answers Tony's question about SSD reliability for data retention on his new iMac. Do solid-state drives wear out easily?

What are your thoughts about today’s show? We’d love to hear from you!

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**Author:** ![DEC-Engineer-23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@DEC-Engineer-23](https://www.twit.community/u/DEC-Engineer-23)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/atg-19-are-ssds-more-reliable-than-hdds/5031/2 "2024-05-17T16:21:08Z")

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I only use **Samsung** Pro and EVO SSDs and Samsung FIT Plus flash drives. They use **MLC** or **TLC** flash memory and have a 5-year warranty, I have never had a failure with a Samsung drive.  
I have not used **magnetic hard disk drives** for many years.  
I have an average workload of personal and small business records, not write-intensive workloads like video editing.

To save wear and tear write cycles on the SSD, I send video clips from my motion-sensor **security camera** to a **RAM drive** for manual review, and then only store important clips to flash memory.  
My browsers and downloads are set to use the RAM drive.

SSDs have a lifetime **TeraBytes Written (TBW)** write cycle rating that I check periodically. But, I am nowhere near reaching the TBW limit.  
Flash drives generally don’t have **wear-leveling** , except some premium and industrial grade models, but I use **FreeFileSync** for **daily backups** of new and revised files to flash drives, so I am not going to reach the TBW limit to wear out a flash drive.

When backing up files, I use **TeraCopy** to generate a **SHA256** file (.sha256) that stores the **hash value** for each file. I can run a **hash verify check** at any time to confirm **file integrity**.  
I store flash drives in a **cool** environment, in an **air-gapped fireproof safe** , as part of a **3-2-1 backup** strategy.  
A hot environment greatly reduces the data retention time of flash memory.  
A cool environment lengthens the data retention time.  
I never use cheap, generic, or worn-out SSDs or flash drives, or **QLC** flash memory.

For extra reliability, I store my most important files, such as **KeePassXC** password and 2FA vaults, recovery codes, and PGP private keys, on **Transcend JetFlash MLC** flash drives. Their industrial grade JetFlash 270M includes wear-leveling, bad block management, error correction, and can be used and stored under a wide temperature range.