Solid state drives, also known as SSDs, are a type of storage device used in computers and other devices. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) that use spinning platters, SSDs use flash memory chips to store data. This gives SSDs advantages like faster read/write speeds, better durability, and silent operation.
When looking at SSD storage capacities, the amount of gigabytes (GB) available on a single SSD can vary quite a bit depending on the model and form factor. In general, consumer SSDs aimed at the PC market range from around 120GB on the low end, up to 4TB or more on high capacity models. Larger enterprise and data center SSDs can scale up to tens of terabytes (TB) in some cases.
Common Consumer SSD Sizes
For most general consumer use, some common capacities for individual SSDs are:
- 120GB to 256GB – Entry level SSDs in this range are good for boot drives or basic storage needs.
- 500GB to 1TB – Mainstream SSD sizes for primary storage in a PC. Enough room for OS, programs, and files.
- 2TB to 4TB – High capacity SSDs at 2TB or more are good for holding large libraries of photos, videos, games and other substantial storage needs.
The sweet spot for many users is having a 500GB to 1TB SSD as their primary boot and storage drive. While 120GB/250GB drives are cheaper, their limited capacity can fill up quickly nowadays with the large storage demands of modern operating systems, games, media files, and more. So 1TB gives breathing room while still being reasonably affordable compared to higher capacities.
M.2 SSD Sizes
M.2 SSDs are a form factor of SSD designed to save space in compact devices like ultrabooks, tablets, and small PC builds. Here are some common capacities for M.2 SSDs:
- 128GB to 256GB – Typical for lower cost M.2 SSDs, good for boot drive or basic storage.
- 500GB to 1TB – Popular capacity for a primary M.2 storage drive.
- 2TB – High capacity M.2 SSDs exist but are less common due to higher costs per GB.
The smaller physical size of M.2 drives limits capacities compared to standard 2.5″ SSDs. However, 1TB and 2TB M.2 drives are available from top tier brands if you need lots of fast SSD storage in a compact PC.
SSD Sizes for Laptops
When buying an SSD for a laptop or mobile device, common capacities include:
- 128GB to 256GB – Typical for lower priced ultrabook or tablet SSDs.
- 256GB to 512GB – Mainstream laptop SSD capacity for good performance and adequate storage.
- 1TB to 2TB – High end laptops aimed at power users, gamers, or creative pros may offer up to 2TB of SSD storage.
Laptop SSD capacities often max out at 1TB or 2TB currently. Their compact form factors limit space for more NAND flash chips compared to desktop SSDs. Upgrading laptop storage usually involves swapping out the existing SSD for a higher capacity model.
Size Comparison Table
Here is a table comparing common SSD capacities across different form factors:
| Form Factor | Lower End Size | Mid Range Size | Higher End Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5″ SATA SSD | 120GB | 500GB – 1TB | 2TB – 4TB |
| M.2 SSD | 128GB | 500GB – 1TB | 2TB |
| Laptop SSD | 128GB | 256GB – 512GB | 1TB – 2TB |
Enterprise and Data Center SSD Capacities
For enterprise, server, and data center use, SSDs are available in much larger capacities than typical consumer drives:
- 400GB to 800GB – Entry level enterprise SSDs.
- 1.6TB to 3.2TB – Moderate capacity enterprise SSDs.
- 6.4TB to 15TB – High capacity enterprise SSDs for large storage needs.
- 30TB to 100TB – Ultra high capacity SSDs for huge datasets and demanding workloads.
By combining dozens or even hundreds of NAND flash chips into a single drive, these specialized data center SSDs can offer tremendous capacities for applications like in-memory databases, virtualization, high performance computing, and big data analytics.
How is SSD Capacity Measured?
The capacity of SSDs and other storage devices is measured in gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB). Here are the definitions of these units:
- 1 GB (gigabyte) = 1,000 megabytes (MB) – A gigabyte is a common unit for measuring SSD and storage device capacity. 1 GB can hold thousands of documents, photos, songs, and other files.
- 1 TB (terabyte) = 1,000 GB – A terabyte is equal to one trillion bytes (1,000 GB). High capacity SSDs are measured in TB, which allows storing hundreds of thousands of files.
SSD manufacturers use the power of two megabyte definitions instead of the power of ten. So a 120GB SSD is actually about 111GB when formatted, and a 1TB SSD becomes around 931GB formatted. The small capacity difference is due to overhead in SSD architecture.
Factors That Affect SSD Capacity
Here are some key factors that determine the capacity of a solid state drive:
- NAND flash technology – SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC, and upcoming PLC NAND have different data density per memory cell. Higher density chips allow more capacity but lower endurance.
- Die stacking – Manufacturers can vertically stack NAND dies in a single chip package to multiply capacity without taking up more space on the SSD circuit board.
- Number of NAND packages – The physical area of the SSD PCB limits how many flash memory packages can be added. Enterprise drives use expansive add-in cards to mount hundreds of NAND packages.
- Form factor size – Smaller SSD form factors like M.2 have less PCB surface area and connector bandwidth, limiting potential capacity versus 2.5″ SSDs.
By leveraging advanced NAND technologies, packaging innovations like die stacking, and designing drives with more physical PCB space, SSD makers are gradually increasing capacities across all form factors.
Typical File and App Storage Size Requirements
To determine the ideal SSD capacity for your needs, it helps to know the typical storage requirements for common files and applications:
| File or Application Type | Typical Storage Needed |
|---|---|
| Photos (JPG) | 2-4MB per photo |
| Digital music (MP3) | 3-5MB per song |
| Documents (Word, PDF) | 50kB to several MB per doc |
| Full HD video | 300MB per minute |
| 4K ultra HD video | 1-2GB per minute |
| Games (AAA titles) | 30GB to 100GB+ each |
| Windows 10 OS | 32GB minimum |
| Windows page file | 1x installed RAM |
Knowing the typical footprint for your files and programs makes it easier to choose an SSD with sufficient capacity. Games and 4K video in particular can quickly fill up smaller SSDs. For sizable media libraries or game collections, a 1TB or 2TB+ SSD may be needed.
Conclusion
SSD capacity ranges from 128GB on the low end of consumer drives, up to massive 100TB enterprise SSDs. For most desktop PC users, a 500GB to 1TB SSD offers a good balance of affordable price and ample storage space. Laptops and compact devices trend toward 256GB to 512GB SSDs. While larger SSDs cost more, they provide substantial space for apps, files, media, and games.