NVME SSD Longevity without use?

[vigor]

I am thinking about purchasing Nvme SSDs since the price went down so low. After holidays it will go back to normal plus i hear the prices for everything will go up so the question here is if i don't use these SSDs for a month or 2 can they go bad?

 

[R-T-B]

Most SSDs will retain data for at least a month or two, more like a year, without power. Eventually there are data retention concerns but nothing NVMe specific.

For storage without data concerns, you can store them as long as you want and they still will function.

 

[Shrek]

For storage without data concerns, you can store them as long as you want and they still will function.

How so? if the data can become corrupted after a year, then so also will be the firmware and the device will no longer function.

 

[maxfly]

How so? if the data can become corrupted after a year, then so also will be the firmware and the device will no longer function.

The chances for corruption are very slim in my experience. I've got several mx500 500gb SSDs that were replaced with 1tb nvme/Sata drives 5 to 7 years ago. In fact one sat for nearly 10. All literally sitting on a shelf collecting dust, one on top of the other. They're all currently working away as cheap back up storage. I recently dropped the eldest into my backup rig in an attempt to pull some ancient game files off of it due to their not being available online any longer. Worked like a champ and it's 98% full haha. So yeah, keep those old drives safe and sound for a rainy day.

 

[ir_cow]

I have a 240GB Corsair SSD that I haven't powered on in 7+ years until a few weeks ago. It boot up windows, so at least some data was still intact. Without a hash of the drive, I couldn't tell you if it's still good data. Most NVMe and SATA SSDs I had laying around for over a year and still all there. Same with thumb flash drives.

 

[qxp]

You might find this useful: https://storedbits.com/ssd-data-retention-period-without-power/
Looks like older drives with SLC memory will retain the data longest, for newer drives try to avoid QLC.

 

[R-T-B]

How so? if the data can become corrupted after a year, then so also will be the firmware and the device will no longer function.

The firmware is typically stored in a programable rom chip, or EEPROM, not on the generic flash. Even if it is on the generic flash for cost savings, it'll be programed in SLC mode and have much more longevity. Probably 10 years vs 1.

The chances for corruption are very slim in my experience. I've got several mx500 500gb SSDs that were replaced with 1tb nvme/Sata drives 5 to 7 years ago. In fact one sat for nearly 10. All literally sitting on a shelf collecting dust, one on top of the other. They're all currently working away as cheap back up storage. I recently dropped the eldest into my backup rig in an attempt to pull some ancient game files off of it due to their not being available online any longer. Worked like a champ and it's 98% full haha. So yeah, keep those old drives safe and sound for a rainy day.

I have a 240GB Corsair SSD that I haven't powered on in 7+ years until a few weeks ago. It boot up windows, so at least some data was still intact. Without a hash of the drive, I couldn't tell you if it's still good data. Most NVMe and SATA SSDs I had laying around for over a year and still all there. Same with thumb flash drives.

Yeah it's very likely to last longer, I was being conservative.

 

[Konomi]

Ultimately, it'll depend on the use case. If they're intended as drives for backups of files, it might be worth plugging them in and checking the contents after a year for corruption. If just in case of hardware failures and keeping spare drives - they'll be fine. Generally speaking, hardware doesn't "go bad" from sitting around unused for short periods of time, may take 10-20 for any real issues to occur.

 

[masterdeejay]

How about putting it in the freezer?