How about SSDs and their lifespan? How many times can you overwrite a modern SSD until its lifespan ends?

The lifespan of a solid-state drive (SSD) is determined by the number of write cycles that the drive's flash memory can endure before it becomes unreliable. The number of write cycles varies depending on the type of flash memory used in the drive, but on average, most modern SSDs are rated for between 3,000 to 100,000 write cycles.

However, this number can vary significantly depending on the quality of the flash memory and the controller used in the drive, as well as how the drive is used and configured. Some SSDs can endure more than 200,000 write cycles, while others may fail after only a few thousand cycles.

To prolong the lifespan of an SSD, manufacturers use wear-leveling algorithms that distribute data evenly over all cells by the controller. This helps to ensure that all cells experience the same amount of wear over time. It's also possible to check the current status of an SSD using the SMART analysis tool, which shows the remaining lifespan of an SSD.

Another essential aspect to consider is the "terabytes written" (TBW) value, which estimates how much data can be written on the SSD over its lifetime. A typical TBW for a 250 GB SSD is between 60 and 150 terabytes written. This means a user would have to write 190 GB daily over one year to reach the TBW limit.

In conclusion, SSDs offer several benefits over HDDs, such as faster speeds, lower power consumption, and increased durability. However, their lifespan is limited by the number of write cycles the drive's flash memory can endure before it becomes unreliable. To prolong the lifespan of an SSD, it's important to use wear-leveling algorithms and to check the current status of an SSD using the SMART analysis tool. It's also important to consider the TBW value when choosing an SSD.

More information:

iShredder: https://www.protectstar.com/en/products/ishredder

Protectstar ASDA algorithm: https://www.protectstar.com/en/secure-erase