Hey all,
I know that it is advised that one should not format a SSD without the Quick Format option enabled.
However I want to start with a completely clean SSD. This is not my C drive (Windows 10) but rather a second SSD used for certain applications. Question is, will doing this degrade the SSD's performance (i.e. speed and efficiency) or only theoretically reduce it's lifespan by one read/write process?
Thanks in advance.
This process will degrade the performance of your SSD. Unlike hard drives where new information is written directly over old information with no decline in speed. SSD's are blazingly fast when writing to empty NAND. However if there is no empty NAND available the SSD process changes to a two-step approach where the NAND has to be "cleaned" and then written to. This slows down the SSD considerably. (The trim command under the windows optimize function essentially identifies the old, not needed, information and assists the SSD in pre-cleaning the NAND's so that the SSD can operate at full speed).
The only way to completely clean SSD is through a process known as secure erase. It essentially provides a blank SSD to write on. Formatting is nothing like that and a quick format essentially clears the record of the information that is written on an SSD so that Windows can treat it like a blank SSD, but the SSD still has to go through the two-step process. The NAND's are still full of old information and are effectively cleaned during periods of non-activity. A full format on the other hand will effectively write on every single NAND completely filling the SSD. If you want to start off with a clean fast SSD, use the manufacturers software and/or other generic software designed to secure erase the SSD.
Thanks Snakeyes, appreciate the detailed response, makes sense. Will check what SSD software is available for my disc.
Post the name of your SSD and I might be able to help you find the appropriate software.
I've got two SSD's:
Samsung Evo840 500GB - C: with Windows 10 Pro already installed
Sandisk Ultra Plus 250GB - F: needs a 'clean'
I do Have Samsung Magician for the EVO840 but the Sandisc never came with software as far as I can remember.
I also have a 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm HDD drive but I guess these are just taken care of thru Windows?
Thanks!
You can download the SanDisk SSD Dashboard here.
SanDisk SSD Dashboard Support Information
Windows 10 will take care of your HHD. Nice SSD's
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