Computer Memory

There is a seemingly never-ending list of the types of files that can be stored on computers in the modern day. There are also quite a few different types of physical memory that perform different roles within your laptop or desktop PC.

One of those is ‘Flash Memory’ which is widely used in a number of different devices and we often get asked how it actually works, which is something we’ll try to explain now.

Created by Toshiba
Flash memory as we know it today, was developed by Toshiba from electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) at the beginning of the 1980s and was subsequently released onto the market in 1984. There are two main types called NAND and NOR logic gates.

No Moving Parts
Unlike other types of data storage, flash memory includes no moving parts and is used as permanent memory, rather than as a temporary or ‘volatile’ hardware source. Another name for a flash drive is a solid state storage device and is the principal used to create SSDs that are faster and more stable alternative to conventional HDDs.

Writing and Erasing
Flash memory mimics the way traditional memory works, in that it ‘traps’ electrons inside its electronic circuits to create a ‘1’ and releases that energy to create a ‘0. It does this in the blink of an eye, which is why it is so fast when compared to storage devices that have to move mechanically to reach data. 

As mentioned before, flash memory is used in various different forms in many different electronic devices and they include:

• CompactFlash/SDHC/MicroSDHC (Usually used in digital cameras)
• Mobile Phones
• The BIOS chip found in all laptops and desktop PCs
• PCMCIA cards, which are I/O devices that connect to personal computers
• Memory cards used in millions of games consoles to save game progress
• Memory sticks or USB drives
• SSDs also use an advanced and refined form of flash memory to act as a computer’s main storage

One of the only known drawbacks to flash memory is that it costs that much more than traditional hard drives, but the price difference is reducing with each passing year. Also, there are a maximum amount of write operations that can be performed in its lifetime. The majority of flash devices are created with around 1,000,000 total write cycles, but its data can be read on an unlimited basis.

If you would like to know more about flash memory and how it can best be used to make your computer work that much faster, talk to one of our tech support team now.

Solid state drives are the new sensation that are sweeping the computer nation, but there seem to be a few myths in circulation that are stopping some taking the plunge and giving their computer a much needed boost.

Let’s work through a few those now.

Myth 1 - Traditional magnetic hard drives have had so much more time to perfect their firmware development and they’re just...better.

This may well have been the case when SSDs first came onto the market, but now, there is literally no gap between them and HDDs. The code development continues in relation to the development of solid state hardware and aspects like error correction have been addressed.

Myth or Fact? 
Answer - Myth

Myth 2 - SSDs just aren’t up to heavy usage and will wear out too quickly.

It is well documented that flash memory has a limited number of writes before degradation occurs, but there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the long term effects of this characteristic. Overprovisioning the space required by a factor of around 20% and optimising use patterns are just 2 ways this can be achieved.

Most users will never encounter this problem, but if you think you might give yours a hammering, there are different durability levels of SSD you can choose from when you purchase to suit your intended usage requirements.

Myth or Fact?
Answer - Fact. However, the poor durability claims made by some are somewhat exaggerated.

Myth 3 - When the power’s off, SSDs lose stored data fast!

Retention loss just isn’t an issue for today’s SSDs and whilst extremes in heat can result in trapped electrons tunneling more quickly, the environment temperature solid state drives are typically stored in means that there is no problem with data loss.

Myth or Fact?
Answer - Myth.

Myth 4 - As SSD form factors reduce, so does data reliability.

As SSDs become more and more widely used in laptops, there has been an obvious and natural need to make them smaller. This has led to some claiming that these smaller features mean that fewer electrons are able to be stored in each individual cell and in turn mean they are less reliable.

This is, in part true, but that what has to be taken into consideration is that SSDs use software that is able to overcome this problem. Meaning that it shouldn’t stop you buying one, even for your laptop.

Myth or Fact?
Answer - Fact. This may be true, but it can still be filed under the ‘myth debunked’ column.

If you’d like more information or you’re considering investing in an SSD and you have questions you need answering, have a chat with one of our tech support team. Don’t let hearsay stop you from improving your computer’s performance with a solid state drive.