Hopefully this isn't a stupid question. I started using a portable SSD drive as a video capture device and am super pleased with how nice is is to edit with it. It's an older device and the storage space is limited, so I started looking for something a little roomier. Now, as with all things computer-y, the smaller something is, the more $$$ it costs. It got me thinking; why are there no large form factor SSDs for desktop computers? Would a physically larger SSD be less expensive to make?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why are 5.25" SSD drives not a thing?
- Thread starter Bill Av
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Memory chips are tiny. Most SSDs don’t even fill a 2.5” form factor.
I assume you really mean 3.5”, rather than 5.25”, but there’d be no advantage in making the SSD physically larger.
I agree with the second floor. 5.25" form factor is way back in the history. I think what the OP really meant was the common 3.5" desktop physical harddrives, which now can be capable of up to 16 TB maybe? Now since a 2T storage is easily fit into a M.2 2280 PCB which is similar to just a piece of chewing gum, if a company is willing to produce a composite 3.5" case of SSD, then we can imagine how large the capacity would be.
But in my opinion, the reason we have 3.5" or even 5.25" size in the history, is because we cannot make physical harddrives smaller. If I were to need a portable disk that is larger than 2T, instead of a closed 3.5" box, I would rather want a product that is actually a hub that is full of M.2 slots...
But in my opinion, the reason we have 3.5" or even 5.25" size in the history, is because we cannot make physical harddrives smaller. If I were to need a portable disk that is larger than 2T, instead of a closed 3.5" box, I would rather want a product that is actually a hub that is full of M.2 slots...
How embarrassing. Yes, I meant 3.5". But what I'd like to see is a large capacity (4TB+), external SSD suitable for a desktop at (hopefully) a lower price point.
Simply because they don't need to be.
As others have said, SSD chips are *SMALL*. And SSDs become expensive fast when you increase capacity - you can get 8 TB SSDs in 2.5", and they're already obscenely expensive. At that point, the SATA bus becomes a major detriment. Faster/larger SSDs tend to come as PCI Express cards, which negate the need to worry about traditional drive form factors. Even those tend to be small enough that if they wanted, they could fit them in a 2.5" drive size.
The physical size isn't what makes them cheap or expensive, it's the capacity. And capacity to fill a 3.5" drive would be very expensive.
As others have said, SSD chips are *SMALL*. And SSDs become expensive fast when you increase capacity - you can get 8 TB SSDs in 2.5", and they're already obscenely expensive. At that point, the SATA bus becomes a major detriment. Faster/larger SSDs tend to come as PCI Express cards, which negate the need to worry about traditional drive form factors. Even those tend to be small enough that if they wanted, they could fit them in a 2.5" drive size.
The physical size isn't what makes them cheap or expensive, it's the capacity. And capacity to fill a 3.5" drive would be very expensive.
- Chip cost is mostly determined by size, as there is a fixed wafer cost and smaller chips = more chips per wafer (assuming you can make them work - and smaller chips are less likely to have a defect resulting in a failed chip, on a per chip basis)
- due to the above, companies spend huge amounts on making the chips more dense to get more flash in less space
- flash chips are currently available in capacities that are already expensive vs. m.2 or 2.5" form factors
Short version - you can already fit more flash than most can afford in 2.5" or m.2 drives. Going bigger for chips is actually more expensive to manufacture.
Also, even if you were to stuff a heap of today's chips in a 5.25 inch SSD - what interface are you going to use? SATA? It won't keep up. For that many chips you'd need a PCIe 16x slot or more to keep up. This is why server oriented PCIe slot SSD cards exist. They're very expensive though.
I was thinking the same thing when they first came out. Also 2.5 does not fit in my moms desktop PC. So they need to be bigger like 3.5. But then I found these and problem solved. I cant find the link. But I got ones made by startech and single not double.
www.bestbuy.com
And 8tb us coming soon.
www.tweaktown.com
CORSAIR Dual SATA Drive Enclosure for 2.5" Solid-State Drives Black CSSD-BRKT2 - Best Buy
Shop CORSAIR Dual SATA Drive Enclosure for 2.5" Solid-State Drives Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
And 8tb us coming soon.
Sabrent unveils world's first 8TB NVMe M.2 SSD: up to 3.4GB/sec reads
Sabrent welcomes the world-first 8TB M.2 SSD with their new Rocket Q 8TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280.