The differences between SSD - Price, Performance and Lifespan

June 12, 2016 by Fu Yongwei in tech

Since my last post about solid state drive (SSD) back in March 2016 (Upgradable Hardware), I have been receiving a lot of questions about why is there a performance and price difference between the different model of SSD? Is one brand legitimately better than the other? Or can we even have a one to one comparison on two different SSD from different manufacturers?

Comparing SSD on a one to one basis tends to be a little bit unfair towards any form of evaluations as different SSD may be designed to perform at a specific application or scenarios. For instance, the Samsung 850 pro is designed to ensure a longer service life than its counterpart, Samsung 850 evo, the 850 pro even comes with a 10 years warranty for the device. The type of flash memory used plays a huge role in affecting the performance, storage capacity, longevity, and price of the SSD.

Excluding any propriety technologies used by different manufacturers, there are two types of flash storage cells being used to construct an SSD, namely, Single Level Cell (SLC) and Multi Level Cell (MLC). Each flash designs has their own merits and may be better suited for specific applications, while its limitation may be overcome if you understand them properly.

Every cell has a certain lifespan for its charge/discharge cycle, which will happen when data is being read/write from the flash memory. Meaning, the more instances a cell is required to read/write in its operation, the more "wear and tear" the cell will experience, as a result to a shorter lifespan.

SLC is the least commons for a consumer or even a tech enthusiast to own them, as they are expensive to own and maintain. Originally, SLC cells are mainly used in enterprise level SSD as it has the longest serviceable lifespan and most reliable performance in read/write data accuracy. As SLC cells use a single bit per cell design to construct an SSD, it improves read/write accuracy and hardware longevity. However, this technology is expensive to build and is limited to smaller storage capacities as compared to other types of SSD of similar form factor.

When it comes to MLC, it is often referred to as a 2-bit level cell. With this architectural design, MLC improves data density as compared to SLC SSD. In fact, most high-end enthusiast SSD (e.g. Samsung 850 Pro) or enterprise level SSD (Kingston SSD E100) have utilised MLC design for its improve storage capacity, hardware cost, and relative reliable data accuracy.

Kingston SSD E100, enterprise level SSD. Credits to Kingston

There is actually another subset type of MLC that is frequently used in many flash drive or SSD at a lower price point, Triple Level Cell (TLC). This cell design is the cheapest to manufacture as it packs 3 bits into cells for storage and has the highest data density as compared to the two mentioned above. However, the flash memory cell lifespan is being exchanged for an increment in storage capacities where the cells are required to read/write more as they store more data per cell (3-bit level cell).

Regardless of whether the SSD is SLC, MLC or TLC, any SSD will definitely have an advantage in performance as compared to a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). By understanding the different limitations, such as TLC type SSD packs higher data storage capacities while it does last as long as MLC type SSD and might require a bit more of tender loving care attention from you (you get it? :D). In my own usage, I am currently using a TLC type SSD as a portable storage device (Transcend USB 3.0) and I am totally fine with it. Since it's a portable device, I am not intending to store any critical data into the unit while preserving the high data throughput of an SSD.

My portable Transcend SSD. Great value for fast large file transfer.

I hope that this post will give you a better understanding of the different type of SSD in the market and. Do not be appalled and think that TLC type SSD are terrible. Yes, TLC SSD might have a lower lifespan and read/write cycle but it will easily last over 4 years (more than conventional HDD). That alone will easily justify the additional cost to invest in an SSD over an HDD.

YWFU

Elgato Game Capture HD - Not just only for gaming!

June 02, 2016 by Fu Yongwei in tech

When it comes to recording on-screen information on your computer, there are a few ways to go about it. To list a few examples, you can utilise on-screen recording softwares such as TechSmith Snagit or VLC without additional hardware to integrate into your existing system. There are also economical alternatives such as a physical video recorder (e.g. DVD / Blu-Ray writer) that can be used to record the video images of your on-screen activities. Nonetheless, I am personally using an Elgato screen capture card for all my on-screen recording applications.

Elgato Game Capture HD, passively powered screen capture card

Before I continue to elaborate on my user experience with this particular device, I would like to share my opinions on deciding to employ the Elgato screen capture card for this application. As mentioned above, using an on-screen recording software has its advantages. However, it also requires more computing processing power for the operation of the software. In addition, it adds more stress to your existing graphical load in order for it to load the on-screen information and at the same time, record it into the same computer.

In contrast, using a dedicated video recorder has the merit of migrating the entire recording graphical processing requirements into a dedicated hardware. This allows the computer to have more headroom in its graphical load and hence, create a more stable system. However, most professional video recorders such as Blackmagic Design HyperDeck SSD Video Recorder would cost around $350 USD, which is astronomical for most individuals. Although you might argue that a generic DVD / Blu-Ray recorder would be able to perform about the same task, it lacks easy access to functions such as monitoring of sources.

Therefore, the Elgato Game Capture HD was a nice fit for my recording requirement. I could introduce an additional laptop, which is easily available, to spread out my graphical load. The screen capture card also includes a recording software that has some very appealing features. Although this card was designed for gamers to record their gameplay, I do not have issues recording with this unit for other purposes.

The wealth of inputs the capture card accepts, HDMI, component video and analog audio

First and foremost, the screen capture card accepts both component (analog) and HDMI (digital) inputs. This allows the device to be versatile in recording different source options. Secondly, an additional video splitter was not required to project my video image onto a bigger screen (if needed), as the unit has an HDMI low latency pass-through port (to prevent the unit from affecting the user experience). Being able to monitor recording parameters from the software (Game Capture HD) is definitely a plus as I am able to access and make changes to different features easily (e.g. audio input source and gain, video title). On top of that, the bundled software has the ability to perform simple editing tasks such as slicing video files and encoding edited files to suit compatibility with various media platforms (e.g. Youtube).

Below is a video sample of the recording from the Elgato Game Capture HD.

Lighting programming on the MAonPC software. Something I have done when I was still attending AVT.

Despite the fact that Game Capture HD is being designed for the gaming market, the unit has fulfilled my recording demands exceptionally well. Although it is priced at around $180 SGD, the device is easy to carry around and is basically applicable to any device with a component / HDMI output.

YWFU

Prometheus Beta-QR - An Item I carry every day

May 26, 2016 by Fu Yongwei in tech, EDC

Before I invested in a portable flashlight as an Everyday Carry (EDC) item, I always used the inbuilt flashlight on my smartphone. Although a smartphone's flashlight is super convenient (as you carry them around every day), I feel that the routine of retrieving your phone to unlock and access the flashlight app is a too slow and inconvenient.

Thus, the new flashlight I am looking for must satisfy a few important criteria:

It must be small and portable enough to carry it easily everywhere.
It must be easily retrievable for fast access.
It must use only standard size battery (AA or AAA).

It took me a long time to search for a flashlight that fulfils all these criteria, but the Prometheus Beta-QR does it exceptionally well.

This new investment has proven to be really useful and practical in my everyday life as I have used it to study small items (e.g. circuit boards) or look for stuff in a dark area. In a short two and a half years time frame, I have purchased both the Beta QRv1 and QRv2 just for the fact that it really suited my requirements. Many of my friends have joked on the importance I have placed on this small inconspicuous flashlight but then again, they realised its value when I was able to access the flashlight a lot quicker than their inbuilt torchlight apps in their smartphone.

The Beta-QR is bright enough (mode 2: 60 lumens) when you need to look at something far, and dim enough (mode 1: 15 lumens) for close up observation to prevent light glare (over exposure) on any small details. This is a lot more versatile as compared to the flashlights in smartphones.

Although there are many compact high-output LED flashlights in the market, the Beta-QR uses a quick release system that has a unique approach to solving my accessibility problem. Ever since the Beta QRv1, the flashlight has implemented their proprietary patent-pending quick release system for you to retrieve the unit efficiently when needed. In my own practice, I have attached the Beta-QR to an S-Biner so that I can transfer the device from one place to another easily. Personally, I prefer the version 2 quick release system as it is much more sturdy and I have never once encountered an instance where the unit released accidentally.

First picture: Beta-QR version 1 (bottom) and 2 (top)
Second Picture: Close up of the quick release mechanism, left (version 2) and right (version 1)

An unexpected feature that I loved about this device is its "limited" ON mode function. Unlike most flashlights that provide many different modes of operations, for example, ON (DIM), ON (Bright), ON (Strobe) and ON (SOS CODE), I would favour a simple flashlight with just ON and OFF function. I understand that there are practical uses for the various mode operations, but I feel that these added features are not necessary and will only hinder the ease of use on an EDC flashlight.

My Prometheus Beta-QR attached to a S-biner

I am really pleased with the Prometheus Beta-QR as it has provided me with the convenience that most other products were not able to. Although it is a bit pricey at $59.00 USD, the metal chassis of the flashlight is definitely rugged enough to last through years of torture before it fails on you.

YWFU