Question SSD losing health rapidly

[bedouinbro]

bought this Transcend 230s 256 GB SSD two months ago, and it has already lost 4% of its health. is this normal or should I claim warranty ?
https://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-756

 

[USAFRet]

A single snapshot is of little use.

Monitor that 'health' over time.
Keep a log.

The first month or two of a drives life, it gets way more writes than later.

 

[Ralston18]

Not sure how that "health percentage" is actually determined.

However, the drive is already 74% full. Something to keep an eye on.

 

[fzabkar]

(Total NAND Writes) / (Total Host Writes) = 19704 / 504 = 39 (see correction in next post)​

That's a HUGE write amplification factor (WAF).

Average Erase Count is 0x49 (= 73 decimal).​

Remain Life is 0x60 (= 96 decimal).​

This suggests that ...

rated P/E cycles = 73 x (100 / 4) = ~1825​

​

Attribute 0xA8 (Maximum Erase Count of Spec) is 0x5dc (= 1500 decimal).

0x49 / 0x5dc x 100 = 4.9 %​

To confirm that the Total NAND Writes is correct ...

0x49 x 256 GiB = 20066 GB = 18688 GiB​

I'm wondering whether the figure reported for Host Writes is using the correct units. As a test, I would write a 1GB file to the SSD and record the value of attribute F2 immediately before and after the write.

 

[MWink64]

(Total NAND Writes) / (Total Host Writes) = 19704 / 504 = 39​

That's a HUGE write amplification factor (WAF).

Average Erase Count is 0x49 (= 73 decimal).​

Remain Life is 0x60 (= 96 decimal).​

This suggests that ...

rated P/E cycles = 73 x (100 / 4) = ~1825​

​

Attribute 0xA8 (Maximum Erase Count of Spec) is 0x5dc (= 1500 decimal).

0x49 / 0x5dc x 100 = 4.9 %​

To confirm that the Total NAND Writes is correct ...

0x49 x 256 GiB = 20066 GB = 18688 GiB​

I'm wondering whether the figure reported for Host Writes is using the correct units. As a test, I would write a 1GB file to the SSD and record the value of attribute F2 immediately before and after the write.

You dropped a digit. The host writes are 2504. That makes the WAF just shy of 8, which is still really high.

 

[fzabkar]

You dropped a digit. The host writes are 2504. That makes the WAF just shy of 8, which is still really high.

Thanks.

 

[bedouinbro]

Thanks.

i did this calculation a while ago, when it was at 97% by an LLM

if it continues to decline like this it will reach 0% at around 63tb according to gpt 4o
this is the smart info before 1gb write

this is after 1 GB write, and yes F2 values did change, I don't how much is supposed to change btw

A single snapshot is of little use.

Monitor that 'health' over time.
Keep a log.

The first month or two of a drives life, it gets way more writes than later.

I sent an email to Transcend about this, and they are saying the health is related to SSD erase count, I have trim enabled and haven't written that much into this SSD, it has an advertised tbw of 140tb but if it loses 4% of its health around 2.5 tb that's worrisome

 

[USAFRet]

I sent an email to Transcend about this, and they are saying the health is related to SSD erase count, I have trim enabled and haven't written that much into this SSD, it has an advertised tbw of 140tb but if it loses 4% of its health around 2.5 tb that's worrisome

If it dies before it reaches 140TBW (and whatever year value), free replacement.

 

[bedouinbro]

If it dies before it reaches 140TBW (and whatever year value), free replacement.

what do you think, is it better to claim a warranty from the shop now or wait for a year while the performance degrades and health gets to 0% ?

btw any idea what's causing this erase count which is resulting in rapid health loss ?

 

[fzabkar]

The units reported for F2 appear to be 32MB (a binary round number).

0x13B2A - 0x13B0B = 31 (decimal)​

In any case, CrystalDiskInfo is interpreting it correctly, so we can assume that NAND Writes is also being reported correctly using those same units. The incremental Write Amplification is 5, so it would appear that your SSD's firmware is relatively inefficient.

 

[USAFRet]

what do you think, is it better to claim a warranty from the shop now or wait for a year while the performance degrades and health gets to 0% ?

You can't claim a warranty on a still working device.

 

[careassure]

If an SSD is losing health rapidly, it can indicate potential issues with the drive. Here are steps to address and troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check SSD Health Status:
   • Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo, Samsung Magician, or the SSD manufacturer’s software to check the drive’s health and SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) attributes.
2. Update Firmware:
   • Ensure the SSD’s firmware is up to date. Manufacturers often release updates to improve performance and reliability.
3. Check for Errors:
   • Run diagnostic tests to check for errors or bad sectors on the SSD.
4. Optimize and Maintain:
   • Ensure TRIM is enabled. TRIM helps the SSD manage unused data blocks, which can improve performance and longevity.
   • Avoid filling the SSD to its maximum capacity, as it can lead to reduced performance and quicker wear.
5. Backup Data:
   • Regularly back up important data. Rapid deterioration in SSD health may lead to data loss.
6. Replace the SSD:
   • If the SSD’s health is significantly degraded or if it’s under warranty, consider replacing it.
7. Check for External Factors:
   • Ensure proper ventilation and avoid excessive temperatures that might affect the SSD’s performance and lifespan.

If the SSD is still under warranty, contacting the manufacturer for support or a replacement may be necessary.