Understanding the Health Status of Intel SSDs: A Closer Look at the Intel S3610 Series
Recently, I acquired two Intel SSDs from the S3610 series at a very reasonable price of CAD $20 each. These drives are rated for a total endurance of approximately 3.7 petabytes (PB) of writes, according to Intel’s official specifications. Despite this impressive rating, I noticed that their health status indicates 77% remaining, which prompted some curiosity and reflection on how SSD health metrics work in real-world usage.
Background on Intel S3610 SSDs
The Intel S3610 series is known for its reliability and durability, especially in enterprise environments. Its MLC NAND flash memory is designed to handle substantial write workloads, making it suitable for data centers and heavy-duty applications. The specified endurance of 3.7PB suggests that, under typical usage, these SSDs can provide many years of service.
Interpreting the ‘Health’ Percentage
SSD health indicators, often provided by tools like Intel SSD Toolbox or third-party monitoring software, are generally based on wear level—specifically, the amount of data written relative to the drive’s rated endurance. Seeing a reading of 77% health indicates that, according to the monitoring tool, the drive has used up approximately 23% of its expected lifespan in terms of write cycles.
However, it’s essential to understand that these metrics are estimations, not precise measurements. Factors such as the type of workload, write distribution, and the firmware algorithms managing wear leveling can influence these readings. Sometimes, drives might report a lower health percentage even when functioning perfectly, especially if they have been subjected to intermittent use or specific testing conditions.
Practical Usage and Longevity
Given that I plan to use these SSDs primarily for older SATA-based desktops and laptops, the likelihood of reaching their total write endurance remains minimal. These drives should comfortably serve my needs for years to come, long before their rated lifespan is potentially exhausted.
Additional Observations
Interestingly, both drives are a pair—perhaps purchased together from the same source—which might suggest similar usage histories and wear levels. Finding these drives on the local Facebook marketplace for such a low price was a fortunate find, especially considering their specifications and durability.
Conclusion
When evaluating SSD health metrics, it’s important to consider the context and limitations of the monitoring tools. The Intel S3610 SSDs, with their high rated endurance, remain excellent options for
Share this content:
