1TB External Hard Drive for Time Machine Back up?

[RadDave]

I've been using several Samsung T-5 SSDs for my backups. The T-5 has a USB-C/3.1 connector which makes it convenient since my iMac has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Backups using the Samsungs are very fast but as Randy stated, SSDs can fail with little or no warning. (which is why I use 2 of them in rotation)

I will only purchase SSDs from now on. Yes, more expensive but I believe they're getting cheaper and more reliable as time goes by.

Yes, they are getting cheaper all the time. But, no, they aren't getting more reliable. Quite the contrary, new, cheaper SSD's are doing without DRAM (the controller that tells where to find things on the drive) to bring the price down. Which means that they are slower, and that they don't last as long. Have a look at this video:

What Are DRAM-less SSDs?
YouTube

Thanks Randy & Charlie for the comments of SSDs - looked at the video on 'DRAM-less SSDs' - like Charlie, I've been replacing my aging (and failing) spinner HDs w/ SSDs - now have the 5 shown below (2 SanDisks, 250GB & 500GB; 2 Samsung T5s, 500GB & 1TB; & 1 Akitio bought from OWC last year); ran DriveDx and all have S.M.A.R.T. enabled but no info on the presence or absence of DRAM - send emails earlier and received one response so far from SanDisk that was not helpful, the responder stated that 'Cache' info on their 'retail drives are not published' - HUMPF! Suspect I may get a similar response from Samsung, just guessing at the moment?

Today I've been reading up on this topic and SSDs w/ DRAM which are stated to be faster and longer living, but much of the discussion was about internal SSDs as the storage device inside computers, i.e. a LOT of reads/writes/garbage cleaning/etc. Now a non-DRAM SSD used as an external storage device would certainly not see the 'activity' of one in a computer - correct? I'm currently using 4 of those SSDs shown, mainly for weekly BUs of our personal folders/files on our 3 Macs and each is far from filled, so little need for 'garbage collection' at this point.

As to cost, these SSDs (mostly depending on size since NAND is the major expense) were from $60 to $150 each - not sure that I want to spend a whole lot more (especially for a guy in retirement not needing critical BUs); of course, spinners would be cheaper but I really have liked the compactness and speed on these 'presumably non-DRAM' SSDs - NOW, just thinking out loud over this issue - comments are appreciated. Thanks - Dave

ADDENDUM: Just heard from Samsung about my T5s - as w/ SanDisk, DRAM information NOT available (quote below):

Hello David - Thank you for contacting Samsung Memory Support. Unfortunately, Samsung does not provide information you are requesting. There is no Samsung software at this point in time that can diagnose the T5 unit. I apologize for the inconvenience.

.

 

[chscag]

Now a non-DRAM SSD used as an external storage device would certainly not see the 'activity' of one in a computer - correct? I'm currently using 4 of those SSDs shown, mainly for weekly BUs of our personal folders/files on our 3 Macs and each is far from filled, so little need for 'garbage collection' at this point.

I agree completely Dave. Like you, I'm certainly not going to spend an extra $50 to $100 for external SSDs that have DRAM. My T5s are fast enough and since I rotate them their usage is cut down. Internal SSDs are of course a different matter and I believe Apple uses Samsung SSDs in most of their newer Macs. And all Apple SSDs support TRIM which is turned on by default.