SSD (Solid State Drive)

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. It is also sometimes called solid-state disk,^[1] although SSDs do not have physical disks. SSDs primarily use traditional hard disk drive (HDD)interfaces, such as SATA and SAS, greatly simplfying usage of SSDs in computers.^[2] Following the initial acceptance of SSDs with HDD interfaces, new I/O interfaces like M.2 and U.2 have been designed to address specific requirements of the Flash memory technology used in SSDs.

As of 2017, most SSDs use 3D TLC NAND-based flash memory, which is a type of non-volatile memory that retains data when power is lost. For applications requiring fast access but not necessarily data persistence after power loss, SSDs may be constructed from random-access memory (RAM). Such devices may employ batteries as integrated power sources to retain data for a certain amount of time after external power is lost.^[2]

SSD (Solid State Drive)

However, all SSDs still store data in electrical charges, which slowly leak over time if left without power. This causes worn out drives (that have exceeded their endurance rating) to start losing data typically after one (if stored at 30 °C) to two (at 25 °C) years in storage; for new drives it takes longer.^[5] Therefore, SSDs are not suited for archival purposes.