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use ssd as data storage ?

I

icecpu

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 21, 2011
Messages
326
I have extra ssd (M4) , so maybe I buy external enclosure to use it for data storage, is it good idea ??
Or ssd only meant for OS , can trim still pass if it use as data storage drive ?
 
I don't think TRIM would work across a USB controller, but as long as you don't fill it up to capacity and if you're mostly doing sequential transfers to it (large files etc) then it should be fine, the drive's own GC algorithm will keep performance decent... Should work fine.
 
how about if I connected to SATA III and use as data storage drive, will TRIM work, thanks
 
Yes it will, but as mentioned, in a USB role you should not see much read/write/delete. Delete is the biggest issue, which is something you'll see on an OS disk due to temp files and other files being updated all the time.
 
icecpu said:
I have extra ssd (M4) , so maybe I buy external enclosure to use it for data storage, is it good idea ??
Or ssd only meant for OS , can trim still pass if it use as data storage drive ?
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldn't bother with using a SSD as external storage since it really isn't that large compared to HDD, but I would throw it in a PC even if there is a SSD installed and use it store frequently used Apps and games if you still have room in the case. BTW, how large is that SSD?
 
ninjaturtle said:
Personally I wouldn't bother with using a SSD as external storage since it really isn't that large compared to HDD, but I would throw it in a PC even if there is a SSD installed and use it store frequently used Apps and games if you still have room in the case. BTW, how large is that SSD?
Click to expand...

Why not? It depends on what he wants to use it for... Let's say for instance he just wants to carry around a couple movies in it, it'll be much much quicker to transfer them to a SSD on a USB 3.0 enclosure than to any hard drive, and the SSD will be smaller and less sensitive to constant traveling as well. Now if he needs a lot of space and it's a small SSD, then yeah, external data drive isn't the best use of it.
 
Using an SSD as storage isn't too bad of an idea. I'm tempted to upgrade to a 128GB Sata3 SSD if I can score a good deal, I'd have my old school kingston V100 64GB begging for use. Too small to put into a laptop and use it how I need to, so I was thinking about using it as offline storage.

Drop all my important files and maybe some steam backups on it and then sticking it in my safe - refreshing it every few months. Only reason being the speed, but the main reason being durability, it can get knocked around a bit and not have all my data turn to shit.
 
My M4 is only 128 gb which I replaced by Mushkin Chronos deluxe 240Gb.
I bought an enclosure http://www.silverpcs.com/ex-10q-r/ to put the M4 inside and use as external just to transfer some HD movies to watch on my TV. I will test to see what kind of speed it will deliver .
 
I have an old 64 GB SSD extra used to install my older/non-frequently played games.
 
Impulse said:
Why not? It depends on what he wants to use it for... Let's say for instance he just wants to carry around a couple movies in it, it'll be much much quicker to transfer them to a SSD on a USB 3.0 enclosure than to any hard drive, and the SSD will be smaller and less sensitive to constant traveling as well. Now if he needs a lot of space and it's a small SSD, then yeah, external data drive isn't the best use of it.
Click to expand...

Isn't that what AHCI is for? Keep your side panel open (or pull some cables through the back), plug in some random sata cable and a power sata cord. eSATA even simpler. Don't even have to restart right? Why would you prefer usb over that...
 
A usb3.0 thumb drive is also great. Ssd for external storage works fine. Trim wont work with USB but will with esata. I would just use for a z68/77/x79 cache drive.
 
Unless you use usb3 or eSATA you likely won't see much benefit over a normal SSD. Just sell the drive on the forum and let someone else have a nice new drive for a good price. Or use it as a cache drive.
 
Shauni said:
Isn't that what AHCI is for? Keep your side panel open (or pull some cables through the back), plug in some random sata cable and a power sata cord. eSATA even simpler. Don't even have to restart right? Why would you prefer usb over that...
Click to expand...

Personal preference really, depends on the system IMO... eSATA enclosures sometimes require external power or a dual USB cord (tho probably not for a SSD), and USB 3.0 tends to work more reliably IMO, some mobos are finnicky about hot swapping eSATA drives. I've heard lots of complaints over time about drives not being recognized after unplugged etc...

Technically speaking eSATA IS better tho (native interface, you retain TRIM, etc.), and there are some decent 2.5" eSATA / USB 2.0 enclosures out there. Personally I never had any trouble with it tho, I only started using USB 3.0 after my last mobo upgrade (P67) because it simplified internal wiring, saved me from having to stuff that extra SATA bracket in there and front pannel USB 3.0 was easier to most into my old case.

There's still nothing wrong with the idea of using a SSD as an external data drive, regardless of interface, whether it's worthwhile just depends on the drive capacity and his usage scenario.
 
Last edited:
Impulse said:
Why not? It depends on what he wants to use it for... Let's say for instance he just wants to carry around a couple movies in it, it'll be much much quicker to transfer them to a SSD on a USB 3.0 enclosure than to any hard drive, and the SSD will be smaller and less sensitive to constant traveling as well. Now if he needs a lot of space and it's a small SSD, then yeah, external data drive isn't the best use of it.
Click to expand...

It'll only be as quick as the slowest drive, so unless he also puts movies on an internal SSD...
 
Aesma said:
It'll only be as quick as the slowest drive, so unless he also puts movies on an internal SSD...
Click to expand...

That's a good point... And maybe movies wasn't the best example of an ideal usage case, a large assortment of smaller files would probably benefit more from a SSD as a target drive... Or he could be copying stuff from a RAID array that would easily saturate any one HDD, hardly uncommon. Point is, its all about his specific needs/scenario.
 
I use one with an ESATA enclosure that fits inside of a 5.25" slot... I take it with me on my bike every day to cart files around. Makes sense if you have a purpose for it.
 
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