SSDs, or solid-state drives, are a type of computer storage device that uses flash memory rather than spinning platters like traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs offer several key benefits over HDDs:
- Faster read/write speeds – SSDs can access data almost instantly, while HDDs rely on physical movement of the drive head, resulting in slower speeds.
- Higher reliability – With no moving parts, SSDs are less prone to mechanical failure over time compared to HDDs.
- Lower power consumption – SSDs consume less power, contributing to longer battery life in laptops.
- Lower operating temperatures – SSDs run cooler than HDDs since they don’t produce as much heat.
- Faster startups – Booting up and launching programs is much quicker with an SSD versus an HDD.
- Compact size – SSDs come in smaller physical sizes, making them suited for ultra-thin and compact devices.
The lack of moving parts gives SSDs big advantages for performance, reliability, power efficiency, and form factor. However, HDDs tend to offer more storage capacity per dollar compared to SSDs. Overall, SSDs provide a major speed boost for computing devices while HDDs serve better for high capacity bulk storage needs.
Brief History of SSDs
The origins of solid-state drives (SSDs) date back to the 1950s with the development of two similar technologies – magnetic core memory and card capacitor read-only store (CCROS). As described by the Symmetry Electronics article “The Development and History of Solid State Drives (SSDs),” these early storage devices were primarily used in computing applications that required high speed random access memory, such as military systems.
The first commercial SSDs emerged in the late 1990s, as detailed in the SSD Explained article “Everything You Need To Know.” Companies like M-Systems introduced flash-based SSDs targeted for enterprise and industrial applications. These early SSDs were very expensive but provided higher performance than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Adoption was gradual but began accelerating in the 2000s as flash memory prices declined.
By the late 2000s, SSDs started displacing HDDs in consumer laptops and desktops. According to the Wikipedia article “Solid-state drive,” factors driving this transition included dropping prices along with the reliability, silent operation, and low access times of SSDs. This eventually led SSDs to outsell HDDs in the consumer space while also making further inroads into enterprise storage.
How SSD Pricing Works
SSD pricing is dependent on several key factors including interface, capacity, and performance. The interface refers to how the SSD connects to a computer, with options like SATA, PCIe, and M.2. SATA SSDs tend to be the most affordable while high-speed PCIe and M.2 SSDs carry a price premium.1
Capacity or the amount of storage space on the SSD also affects pricing significantly. SSDs with higher capacities generally have a lower cost per gigabyte. A 500GB SSD may cost around 20 cents per gigabyte while a 2TB SSD may be priced at 10 cents per gigabyte. This is partly due to the fixed costs of materials and manufacturing being distributed over more NAND flash memory chips.2
Finally, performance factors like read/write speeds, random I/O performance, endurance, and controller architecture influence SSD costs. Models optimized for intense workloads like gaming, creative work, or enterprise applications command higher prices due to advanced controllers and premium components.1 In general, SSDs that deliver faster speeds and better responsiveness are more expensive on a per gigabyte basis.
Average SSD Price Trends
SSD prices have been steadily dropping over the past decade. According to research by PCPartPicker, the average price for a 128GB 2.5″ SATA SSD has dropped from around $150 in 2012 to just $25 in 2022, which represents a decrease of over 80% or around 20% per year (PCPartPicker). This downward price trend is supported by projections from Reddit users, who predict SSD prices will continue to fall by 20-30% annually, reaching parity with HDDs by 2030 if current trends continue (Reddit). The steady decline in SSD pricing can be attributed to advances in NAND flash memory density and manufacturing processes, as well as increased market competition.
Average Price per GB
The average price per gigabyte (GB) for SSDs varies depending on the drive’s storage capacity. Generally, higher capacity drives offer a lower price per GB. According to Tom’s Hardware, the current average price per GB for a 1TB SSD is around $0.15.
For lower capacity SSDs like 120GB or 240GB, the price per GB tends to be higher, around $0.25 to $0.30 on average. Higher capacity 2TB and 4TB SSDs can have an average price per GB between $0.08 to $0.12.
So while the average cost declines at higher capacities, most consumer 1TB SSDs today range from $0.10 to $0.18 per GB. At the current average of $0.15 per GB, a 1TB SSD would cost around $150.
Price Ranges by Segment
SSDs can generally be categorized into budget, mainstream, and high-end segments based on performance and price. Here’s a breakdown of the price ranges for each segment:
Budget SSDs
Budget SSDs typically offer lower performance but cost less than mainstream and high-end drives. Common capacities for budget SSDs range from 120GB to 1TB. Pricing for budget SSDs breaks down as follows:
- 120GB – Around $20-35 per drive.
- 240GB – Around $30-50 per drive.
- 480GB – Around $40-70 per drive.
- 1TB – Around $80-120 per drive.
At the low end, budget SSDs can cost as little as $0.17 per GB. On average, expect to pay around $0.10-0.12 per GB for a budget SSD.
Mainstream SSDs
Mainstream SSDs offer a balance of performance and value for general computing uses. Common capacities range from 240GB to 2TB. Pricing typically falls in these ranges:
- 240GB – $35-60 per drive.
- 480GB – $60-90 per drive.
- 1TB – $90-150 per drive.
- 2TB – $140-250 per drive.
Mainstream SSDs average around $0.12-0.15 per GB. Some well-reviewed models can offer excellent performance per dollar in this range.
High-End SSDs
High-performance SSDs offer top-tier speeds and advanced features for demanding applications. Common capacities range from 500GB to 4TB. Expect to pay:
- 500GB – $70-120 per drive.
- 1TB – $130-250 per drive.
- 2TB – $220-400 per drive.
- 4TB – $400-800 per drive.
High-end SSDs carry a premium over mainstream drives, averaging $0.20-0.25 per GB. Cutting-edge models with the latest interfaces can cost over $0.50 per GB.
Price Forecasts
Most forecasts predict that the average price of SSDs on a per-GB basis will continue to gradually decline over the next few years. According to industry analysts, increased manufacturing efficiency and high demand are putting downward pressure on SSD prices [1]. Though prices spiked in late 2021 and early 2022 due to supply chain issues, additional SSD production capacity coming online is expected to stabilize pricing [2]. TipRanks estimates the average price per GB for SATA SSDs could decline to around $0.08 by 2024, while average NVMe SSD prices could fall to $0.10 per GB [3]. Key factors likely to continue driving down $/GB over time are technological advancements, economies of scale, and increased competition among SSD manufacturers.
Factors Influencing Costs
Two key factors that impact SSD pricing are supply and demand of NAND flash memory as well as manufacturing advances that drive down production costs.
NAND flash memory is the primary component in SSDs and a limited supply can lead to price increases. Major manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron control NAND production and prices fluctuate depending on supply and demand dynamics. When NAND is in short supply, SSD prices tend to rise. Conversely, oversupply leads to falling prices as manufacturers compete for sales.1
Ongoing improvements in NAND flash fabrication and 3D manufacturing techniques also reduce costs over time. The transition to newer generation NAND chips with smaller process nodes and stacking more memory cells in 3D layers increases bit density and lowers per-gigabyte costs. As manufacturers adopt new manufacturing processes, they can produce higher capacity SSDs at lower prices.2
How to Get the Best Deal
There are a few strategies to get the lowest price when buying an SSD:
Look for sales and promotions. Retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy frequently discount SSDs, especially around major shopping holidays. Sign up for retailer newsletters and deal alert sites to be notified of promotions.
For example, the 1TB Samsung 870 EVO SSD has been as low as $89.99 on sale, compared to the regular price of $139.99 (Source: https://www.pcmag.com/deals/the-best-cheap-ssd-deals-for-january-2024).
Look for SSD bundles. Many retailers offer SSDs bundled with accessories like enclosures and cloning software for better value.
For instance, Best Buy has offered the 512GB WD Blue 3D NAND SATA III SSD bundled with a USB enclosure and Acronis True Image cloning software for $69.99 (Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/features/best-deals-on-ssds).
Wait for new model releases. When manufacturers release new SSD models, prices tend to drop on older generations as retailers clear inventory.
The best time to buy is often right before or after a new release, like the Samsung 980 Pro dropping in price before the 990 Pro launch (Source: https://www.extremetech.com/computing/the-best-ssd-and-hard-drive-deals).
Conclusion
In summary, the average cost per gigabyte for SSDs has declined dramatically over the past decade, from around $5/GB in 2010 to under $0.20/GB in 2020. However, there is still a wide range of prices depending on the type of SSD (SATA vs. NVMe), form factor (2.5” vs. M.2), and specs like performance and endurance ratings.
Looking ahead, analysts expect SSD prices to continue falling as manufacturing processes improve and higher density NAND flash chips become mainstream. However, certain segments like high-performance NVMe drives will command a premium. To get the best deal, shoppers should compare prices across retailers, look for sales and promotions, and weigh the cost per GB when choosing the right SSD for their needs.
With SSD adoption rising and prices dropping, the future looks bright for SSD storage to become ubiquitous for both consumer and business use. While HDDs will still have a place for high capacity bulk storage, SSDs are likely to dominate as the primary storage in computers and data centers thanks to the ongoing reductions in the cost per gigabyte.