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A scratch disk is temporary workspace an application uses when RAM is not enough. A second drive can make sense for sustained creative workloads, but it is not a requirement for every Photoshop user—and ordinary scratch-disk use is not proven to quickly wear out a main SSD.
What a scratch disk does
Adobe describes Photoshop scratch disks as hard drives or SSDs used for temporary storage when the computer’s RAM is insufficient for current operations. Think of the scratch disk as overflow workspace: Photoshop can use it while handling work that exceeds available memory.
A scratch disk is not a backup. Temporary working space does not protect your project files from drive failure, accidental deletion, or other data loss.
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SSDs have finite write endurance, but that does not mean a drive is “destroyed” when it reaches a published TBW figure. TBW, or terabytes written, is a manufacturer endurance rating describing total writes under specified conditions. DWPD, or drive writes per day, expresses the equivalent of writing the drive’s full capacity each day over the warranty period. These ratings are not countdowns to a guaranteed failure date.
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Endurance depends on factors including capacity, NAND characteristics, write amplification, and workload. Host writes—the data sent to the drive by the computer—are not necessarily identical to the amount of internal NAND activity. Micron explains that workload and write amplification affect endurance, but the available manufacturer guidance does not establish a universal scratch-disk wear rate.
There is no cited measurement here showing that a typical Photoshop user’s scratch activity will quickly wear out a main SSD. How much a particular user writes depends on the workload; a general lifespan estimate would be misleading.
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- Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
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- Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
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- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
When a separate drive is worth considering
A separate scratch drive is a workflow choice, not a universal fix. It may be worth evaluating if you regularly handle sustained, demanding creative work and want dedicated temporary workspace. Adobe supports adding multiple scratch drives and setting their priority, with the fastest drives first. That configurability does not prove a second drive will make Photoshop faster for every user.
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- Consider a second drive if your sustained workload makes dedicated capacity useful and your computer supports an appropriate additional drive.
- Do not buy based on fear of “destroying” an SSD. The sources do not quantify typical Photoshop writes or demonstrate that a second drive extends the life of a particular system drive.
An external drive is another possible storage location, but interface, sustained performance, capacity, and compatibility all matter. The available sources provide no comparative benchmarks showing a fixed advantage for an internal second SSD, an external drive, or a particular interface.
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How to set Photoshop’s scratch-disk priority
- On Windows, open Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks. On macOS, open Photoshop > Settings > Scratch Disks.
- Select the drives you want Photoshop to use as scratch disks.
- Use the arrow buttons to order the drives by priority. Adobe’s instruction is to put the fastest drives first.
- Confirm the selection and restart Photoshop if the application asks you to do so.
Adding another drive is optional; the setting lets you choose and prioritize available scratch disks rather than requiring a separate one.
How to judge SSD endurance figures
Compare ratings only in the context of the exact drive, capacity, warranty, and workload. Published TBW values vary by model and capacity, and test assumptions matter.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
| Example | Published endurance figure | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| Micron 3500, 512 GB | 300 TB written | Model-specific value from Micron’s December 2023 technical specification; test results were validated with the drive 90% full, volatile write cache enabled, and a defined sequential/random access mix. |
| Micron 3500, 1 TB | 600 TB written | Same specification and test assumptions; not a rating for SSDs generally. |
| Micron 3500, 2 TB | 1,200 TB written | Same specification and test assumptions; materially different workload parameters may produce different endurance results. |
| Kingston illustrative 1.92 TB SSD | 3,504 TBW | Example in Kingston’s November 2024 TBW explainer, not a general rating or a recommendation for a scratch drive. |
| Kingston illustrative 7.68 TB SSD | 14,016 TBW over five years, or 1 DWPD | Metric example from Kingston’s explainer; it does not establish what a consumer Photoshop user needs. |
Micron notes that results can differ when workload parameters differ from its specified test pattern. A rating therefore helps compare drives under their stated conditions; it does not predict exactly how long your own drive will last or guarantee protection from sudden failure.
What to check before buying a second SSD
- Compatibility: Confirm that your computer supports the drive’s form factor and interface.
- Capacity and free space: Choose based on the workspace your actual applications and projects need, not an assumed universal scratch-drive size.
- Endurance and warranty: Check the manufacturer’s TBW or DWPD rating and the warranty terms for the specific model and capacity.
- Sustained workload needs: Look for specifications relevant to your intended use; a peak-speed claim alone does not establish sustained performance.
- Cost and evidence: Weigh the price against a real capacity or workflow need. There is no quantified performance gain established here for every user.
A 2 TB NVMe SSD is a category to consider only if your system supports it and its capacity, endurance rating, warranty, and price suit your workload. For example, Micron’s 3500 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe specification lists 1,200 TB written under the test conditions described above. That is a model-specific example, not a tested recommendation; check current availability and compatibility before purchasing.
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Sources
- Adobe: Set up and manage scratch disks, last updated February 23, 2026.
- Kingston Technology: Understanding SSD endurance: TBW and DWPD, November 2024.
- Micron Technology: 3500 SSD Series Technical Product Specification, revision A, December 2023.
- Micron Technology: Tackling SSD endurance made me a better product manager, 2023.
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.
