mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Good to know... thanks! 👍

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I'm a little unsure of the methodology but it sounds like he fills the SSD and then keeps writing over it. The SSDs tested were all around 250 Gb so 4 overwrites amounts to 1 Terabyte and writing a petabyte of data (total) amounts to something like 4000 writes/byte, still in the ballpark of 1000 writes that I had heard before. That's rewriting the whole thing, so obviously rewriting a file here and there would take a while to overwrite the whole disk and the 1000 write figure doesn't mean that your disk is only good for a few years (again, assuming you're an individual not using the disk at industrial rates).

Nevertheless, the fact that there is a write limit means that backup/archiving is really important.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

The "modern" SSD can go to 1,000,000 write cycles.

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

Haha. If only I live that long!

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

My two SSD's probably have been thru several hundred thousand cycles and have, not once, failed in any respect; they are about four years old, both Samsung EVO's.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The bottom line is that if you can afford them (in terms of $/TB), SSDs are THE answer, both in terms of reliability and speed.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Why is this posted in a Photography blog?

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

I think it’s relevant because I had to upgrade my computer to handle the large files the Nikon D850 produces. I thought the information and the ensuing and lively dialogue would be useful to others facing the same issue. There are numerous threads about computers in the archives, so I perceived an interest when I made the post. Just goes to show you can’t please all the people all the time

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...well, anecdotal as this comment is, my machines are *all* SSD and built along the lines of the OP's. Plug-in peripheral drives are out of the boxes, all processing and saving are done on/in the machine(s)...I back up to the externals. It's been 5 years and absolutely no problems. I just got one of the best of the best Nvidia GPU's and recently installed it in my main machine, in anticipation of building a new machine utilizing, again, all ssds, only taking advantage of the newest M2 slots. It only gets better, but the first edition machine certainly did its job. This is all real experience, not something I've read, shrug...

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

For me the overall cost is out of my budget but using the SSD's are a good choice. I'm using the Intell i7-7700, a 7th generation processor. You'll find that processor has built into it, 630 graphics card. While that is not the latest and greatest graphics, it still works very well. At any time you can allways purchase a newer and bigger card for your computer's slot(s).

I don't know your workload although the two 500gb SSD's will probably last you 10+ years under "normal" use. By normal I mean for you to not go over around 80 percent of filling up either of the two SSD's. The lower the fill percentage, the better. A friend put a 256gb SSD in for his C-drive and quickly proceeded to fill around 95% of it with data leaving only around 5% for day-to-day operations. That SSD only lasted a few months, plus there is presently no way to rescue the data on an SSD. He made this mistake twice before learning. he was lucky the factory covered them. After learning about the proper fill percentage, he hasn't had a problem since.

My computer is a Dell although HP may have the same offering that I got. I contacted Dell asking about graphic cards and they also offered me a free "Support Assistant" download program where I can run several parts of it to check many parts of my system. (I understand both Dell and Intel computer techs use the same program when and if you ever call in for support.) Memory, processor, graphics card, circuit board, upgrades, etc. to name a few things. Dell offers it as a free lifetime program for those who purchase their computer. You should check if HP offers something like that. I seem to remember back in the 90's, when I had an HP computer they did.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I am not displeased but this seems like this is more about post processing hardware (computers) than photography.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...you aren't required to participate. Personally, I gravitate to tools, and the computer is a huge part of my photography...and I'm not the only one who feels so. Why even post anything? Are you trying to save us?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Modern SSDs have wear leveling, and Windows, starting with Win7, has implemented a TRIM function on writes, but if you run an SSD at 95% full (and especially if you have inadequate memory and are constantly paging to disk), then you are constantly erasing (which is what actually causes the degradation) and rewriting the same limited area of memory - not recommended for longevity.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

No not trying to save or police anybody. I am merely suggesting there might be other categories on this forum more appropriate for this topic.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Such as???

Cameras, lenses, PP software, computers are all part of the basic tools of the modern photographer. If the Computer does not belong in "Main Photography Discussion." Then neither does any other basic tool in the photographer's tool kit.

Since there are already separate forums for discussions of individual photos, that would mean that almost nothing should ever be posted here.