Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Choose SSD endurance by estimating how much data your workload will write during the time you plan to keep the drive, then compare that estimate with the exact model’s TBW rating and warranty. TBW is a rated write limit used in endurance and warranty terms—not a countdown to the day the SSD will fail.
What TBW means for SSD lifespan
TBW, or terabytes written, is the total amount of host data a drive is rated to accept as writes over its endurance period. Manufacturers may make a model’s TBW limit one condition of warranty coverage. Check the exact model’s warranty for the applicable terms; the rating alone does not say when a drive will stop working.
DWPD, or drive writes per day, describes how many times a drive’s full capacity can be written each day over a stated warranty period. Kingston’s illustrative example is 1 DWPD over a five-year warranty: the drive’s full capacity could be written each day throughout that period. That explains the metric; it is not a universal recommendation for a consumer SSD. Kingston Technology explains TBW and DWPD.
Estimate how much endurance your workload needs
Use your estimated host writes per day and expected years of use to calculate approximate lifetime writes. Keep units consistent: if TBW is in terabytes, convert daily writes to terabytes before calculating.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
- Estimate the data written to the SSD on a typical day. Use measured system or workload data if available; do not assume every user has the same write rate.
- Multiply daily writes by the number of days you expect to use the drive. For example, daily writes in TB × days of use gives estimated total host writes in TB.
- Compare that total with the exact capacity and model’s published TBW rating, and read the warranty conditions for your region.
- For a rough years-to-rating estimate, divide the model’s TBW by estimated daily writes in TB, then divide by 365. This is an arithmetic estimate under the assumed write rate, not a prediction of physical failure.
Write-heavy databases, sustained recording, and large recurring write jobs can demand more endurance than read-heavy or ordinary productivity use. If a workload writes large amounts every day, look for an endurance class intended for that workload rather than choosing by capacity alone.
Why capacity, NAND writes, and warranty matter
Compare capacity and warranty term
DWPD is relative to drive capacity, so compare it alongside capacity and the period over which the rating applies. TBW totals for different capacities or warranty lengths are not directly equivalent measures of daily write allowance. Western Digital’s endurance brief and Kioxia’s NAND endurance brief discuss SSD endurance and the factors behind it.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
Host writes are not the whole NAND workload
TBW refers to host data written, while the SSD’s NAND can receive additional internal writes. Controllers distribute wear and perform background work; write amplification means internal NAND writes may exceed the data sent by the host. Workload patterns and over-provisioning affect that relationship, so a host-write estimate is useful for comparison but is not a complete model of NAND wear.
Warranty limits are not failure dates
Some manufacturers define warranty coverage using both a time period and a TBW limit, with the exact warranty wording determining eligibility. Reaching the rating does not establish that the SSD will fail immediately; operating beyond it should not be treated as guaranteed safe either. Review the current warranty for the exact model and region. For examples of manufacturer terms, see Samsung Semiconductor’s consumer-storage warranty page and SanDisk’s internal SSD endurance and warranty periods.
Rank #3
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
Compare SSD options without overpaying for endurance
Compare drives at the same capacity and for the same use case where possible. Use the published TBW or DWPD, warranty duration and conditions, workload suitability, and price together. For ordinary personal use, estimate write demand instead of automatically paying more for the highest TBW figure. No universal minimum TBW for a consumer SSD is established by the available manufacturer guidance.
Enterprise workload guidance can help explain why write-intensive applications call for endurance ratings suited to their duty cycle, but it is not a universal consumer recommendation. See SanDisk’s enterprise SSD guidance and Samsung Semiconductor’s data-center SSD endurance paper.
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Check SSD wear and health reporting
A manufacturer dashboard or SMART health data supported by the particular model can help you inspect wear and drive health. Attribute names and interpretations vary by manufacturer and model, so do not treat a single field as a universal, precise lifespan countdown. SanDisk provides guidance on SSD endurance and wear information and on checking remaining life and endurance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
