Is Sleep Mode Bad for SSDs? Truth and Myths

Computer is on sleep

Sleep mode is a feature that is included in most laptops and computers. It allows the device to save energy by going into a low-power state. However, some people believe that sleep mode is bad for SSDs. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of sleep mode and determine whether or not it is bad for SSDs.

In summary, sleep mode is not bad for SSDs. The data is stored in RAM rather than on the SSD when you put the computer into sleep mode. Therefore, when you wake up your computer, it will continue from where it left off very quickly. Excessive write cycles are the only thing that affects SSDs.

What Is Sleep Mode?

Computer is on sleep
The computer is sleep.

Sleep mode saves your open documents and applications in memory (RAM) and places your computer in a low-power state so you can quickly resume your work. It is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume full-power operation (typically within seconds) when you want to start using it again.

When you’re done using your computer for the day, you may not want to shut it down completely. That’s where sleep mode comes in. Although sleep mode uses a small amount of power, it’s still less than starting up your computer from a completely powered-off state. You can easily wake your computer from sleep mode by pressing any key on the keyboard or clicking the mouse. So, if you need to step away from your computer for a few minutes, Sleep mode is a good way to save power and reduce energy consumption.

Further, when in sleep mode, your computer’s display is turned off, the hard drive or SSD is powered down, and the fan stops spinning. This reduces the wear and tear on your computer components and can help extend their lifespan.

What Are the Benefits of Using Sleep Mode on a Computer?

  • Faster resume: It allows your computer to enter a low-power state while retaining all of its current information. This means you can pick up right where you left off without restarting your computer.
  • It’s much more energy-efficient:  A sleeping computer uses only a fraction of the power of a fully awake one, so you’ll save money on your electric bill.
  • It’s more reliable: Computers are complex machines, and running them 24/7 makes them more likely to break down. Shutting down your computer at night gives it a chance to rest, which can help prevent unexpected failures.
  • Sleep mode is also good for your hard drive: Hard drives are spinning disks that store your data and are one of your computer’s most delicate parts. When you’re not using your computer, putting it into sleep mode helps to keep your hard drive from being needlessly accessed, which can wear it down over time.
  • Can prevent overheating: sleep mode can help prolong your computer’s life by preventing components from overheating and saving you money in the long run.

Does Sleep Mode Affect the SSD?

No. It does not affect the SSD. In sleep mode, The PC state is stored in RAM, not on the SSD. However, hibernation mode(generally used in laptops) does save the state to disk (SSD or HDD). Read/write can cause wear and tear on the device, which may shorten its lifespan. Therefore, if you are using an SSD, it is recommended to use Sleep mode instead of Hibernation mode.

Modern SSDs come with a higher TBW (Terabytes Written) specification, meaning they can handle many more read/writes than older models. So, even if you use Hibernation mode with an SSD, it is unlikely to cause significant wear and tear.

For e.g., the Below Transcend NVME model (PCIe SSD 110S) 256GB model comes with a massive 100 TBW. As capacity increases, the TBW value also increases as the same model with 2TB comes with 800TBW. source: https://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-953

Transcend-256GB-NVME-SSD
Transcend 256GB NVME SSD (Check on Amazon)

Other than pure sleep mode, you may also hear about hybrid sleep mode. Let me explain that to you as well.

What Is Hybrid Sleep Mode?

Hybrid sleep is a type of sleep state that combines sleep and hibernation. By putting the computer into a hybrid sleep state, all its RAM is written to the hard drive (just like hibernating), and then the computer goes into a low-power state that keeps the RAM refreshed (just like sleeping).

It is designed so that the computer can be resumed quickly from sleep, but if a power outage or other catastrophe occurs, it can still be recovered from hibernation. Upon turning off the power, a hybrid sleep can become hibernation. Want to know more about hibernation on an SSD? Refer Is Hibernate Bad For SSD?

In theory, hybrid sleep is the best of both worlds. Because by using this method, if power is lost, the data can be used to resume using hibernation without losing any data. While this may sound ideal, there is one potential downside:

Since SSDs have a limited number of write cycles, theoretically, hibernating will eventually shorten the lifespan of an SSD. However, this is generally not a concern for most users, as the write cycles are typically spread out over many years, and the lifespan of an SSD is usually much longer than the warranty period.

For more details regarding hybrid sleep, refer to Is Hybrid Sleep Bad for Your SSD?

Sleep mode, Hibernation, and Hybrid Sleep

Note that sleep mode, hibernation, and hybrid sleep all of these are features of the latest Windows operating system. Software vendors and hardware manufacturers are introducing these features to make our lives easier. So go ahead and use them.

So, instead of worrying so much, you could choose an SSD drive with a longer life span. Technically an SSD drive with a higher TBW (terabytes written) rating will have a longer lifespan.

TBW measures how much data can be written to an SSD over its lifetime. The higher the TBW, the longer the SSD will last. However, it’s important to note that TBW is not a measure of speed or performance. An SSD with a high TBW may be slower than an SSD with a lower TBW. It all comes down to how the manufacturing process affects the endurance of the NAND flash memory cells. So when shopping for an SSD, be sure to check the TBW ratings to ensure you’re getting a drive that will last. To know more about TBW, refer to Why Does TBW Matter in SSDs?

Recommended Highest TBW SSDs

SAMSUNG 870 EVO ( MAX 2400 TBW ) – SATA III 2.5

The Samsung 870 EVO SATA is a top-of-the-line SSD that offers excellent performance and reliability. With sequential speeds of up to 560/530 MB/s, it’s perfect for demanding tasks like video editing and 4K gaming.

150 TBW for 250 GB model, 300 TBW for 500 GB model, 600 TBW for 1 TB model, 1,200 TBW for 2 TB model and 2,400 TBW for 4 TB model

Crucial P5 Plus (600TBW) -NVME

Are you looking for a reliable and high-performing SSD? Look no further than the Crucial P5 Plus. With PCIe 4.0 NVMe technology and up to 6600MB/s sequential reads, this SSD is perfect for gamers, professionals, and creatives who demand high-performance computing.

And because it’s built on their own leading Micron Advanced 3D NAND and innovative controller technology, you can be sure that the Crucial P5 Plus will offer you the best possible performance.

References

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