The debate over whether or not to partition a solid-state drive (SSD) is as controversial and enduring as the debate over sweet versus salty. Should you partition your SSD or not? In this article, our writer will help settle the issue and provide clarity for those who are unsure.
The Reasons for Advocating Non-Partitioning
Friends who advocate against partitioning solid-state drives (SSDs) are actually arguing that SSDs should only have one partition. The reason is simple: SSDs have limited capacity, and creating multiple partitions would result in each partition having insufficient storage space.
For instance, a DiskMFR D200 with a capacity of 240GB would have 223GB of usable space if it is not partitioned. When the remaining space in a partition falls below 10%, Windows will display it in red. So, before the D200 240G drive becomes red, only about 200GB of space is available in one partition.
If the 240GB SSD is partitioned into two sections, and a lot of files need to be stored, it is easy for one partition to become marked in red because the remaining space is not enough to meet the 10% threshold. This would be a disaster for someone who requires optimal performance.
Partitioning can also lead to errors in size estimation, making it difficult to adjust partition layouts when there is insufficient space.
The Reasons for Advocating Partitioning
The term “partitioning” here refers to the act of creating multiple partitions on a solid-state drive (SSD). Those who hold this view typically argue from the perspective of easier file management. In the past, during the era of mechanical hard drives, the concept of dividing drives into system, data, and backup partitions was deeply ingrained in people’s minds. Even disk tools like one-click ghosting required a hard drive to have at least two partitions to function properly. It seemed unacceptable to only have one partition on a hard drive.
To Alleviate Concerns for the Non-Partitioning Faction
Does not partitioning a solid-state drive (SSD) affect its performance? The answer is no. The performance of each partition is the same. The DiskMFR D200, which uses an 8-channel controller and original MLC flash memory, consistently delivers stable performance and is a cost-effective choice compared to TLC SSDs.
Unlike mechanical hard drives, SSDs do not have differences in performance between inner and outer tracks. Data can be read and written at the same speed from any location on the drive, so the practice of allocating the outer tracks to the system partition for better performance and the inner tracks to backup data to reduce impact can be dispensed with.
Does not partitioning an SSD affect its lifespan? Of course not. Modern SSDs all have wear-leveling technology. For example, the DiskMFR D200 automatically manages data stored in flash memory and prevents excessive wear on specific locations. Even data stored in flash memory units will be moved when necessary, ensuring that the wear level of each block of flash memory is balanced and maximizing the lifespan of the SSD.
Resolve the Psychological Burden of Partitioning Faction
How can you still keep your data organized even if your hard drive has only one partition? The key is to make use of the “Library” feature in Windows 7 and later versions. Right-click on any folder and choose “Include in library”.
With this feature, folders of different types can be clearly categorized in the file manager. In the past, the purpose of partitioning was to facilitate file organization and management, and the Win Library can achieve the same goal.
However, if your solid-state drive has multiple partitions, the 4K alignment of each partition is independent, so don’t forget to align the non-system partitions to 4K as well.
Words in the end
In general, whether to partition a solid-state drive is still a matter of personal preference and habit. Everyone can choose according to their own preferences. Your valuable opinions are welcome in the comments section.
