Buying a NAS SSD for my home computer, is it worth it?

When setting up a new computer, you’ll most likely use an SSD as the primary storage unit. However, not all SSDs are created equal, and there are various product ranges available based on different needs. In this article, we’ll compare “normal” SSDs with NAS SSDs to determine which one is more suitable for your computer.

For those unfamiliar, a NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a system designed for mass network storage, particularly for storing valuable data. While HDDs for NAS have been around for a while, SSDs for NAS are less common. Additionally, NAS SSDs are usually used as a cache to enhance performance, rather than for mass storage.

ssd nas normal sata

What is the difference between a “normal” SSD and an SSD for NAS?

It is important to note that the differences between “normal” SSDs and those intended for NAS are not as significant as in HDDs. Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not have additional heads for reading/writing, larger caches, or technologies to reduce mechanical vibration.

This is because SSDs do not have any moving parts. Instead, the speed of an SSD is largely dependent on the controller and the type of connection interface. For example, an M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD is faster than a PCIe 3.0 and much faster than SATA. Additionally, NAS SSDs are usually used for cache to improve performance, rather than for mass storage.

When it comes to SSDs for gaming computers and laptops versus those for NAS, the primary differences lie in the type of memory used and the controller’s operation. NAS SSDs typically use higher quality memories that can support more write cycles, and the controller is more advanced and handles memory writing differently.

However, the differences between the two types of units are subtle, as SSDs have no moving parts and do not require technologies to reduce mechanical vibration. In terms of read/write speeds, the controller and type of connection interface are more significant factors. For example, an M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD is faster than a PCIe 3.0 and much faster than SATA.

“NORMAL” SSD NAS SSD
PRIMARY USE Home computers (desktops and laptops) Specific for network storage systems
WORKLOAD Intended for light workloads and single sign-on (only one user/system) Designed for high workloads and multiple access (more than one user/system)
MEMORY TYPE They use memories of three, four or more bits per cell, prioritizing capacity They usually use memories of two bits or, at most, three bits per cell, since durability is prioritized over capacity
TEMPERATURE CONTROL “Generic” temperature management technology They add specific technologies for temperature control
WEAR RESISTANCE They are not intended for intensive data writing Designed to withstand intensive data writing
RAID SUPPORT Support RAID 0 / 1 / 5 / JBOD configurations They support more specific RAID configurations such as RAID 6, for example.
MTBF Between 1 and 1.8 million hours Between 1.75 and 2 million hours
PRICE They are around 60-75 Euros (1 TB SATA models) They usually cost more than 100 Euros (1 TB SATA models)

We compare commercial models and NAS models

With a general understanding of the differences between a “normal” SSD and one specifically designed for NAS, it’s worth noting that there are few manufacturers who offer both types of units commercially (excluding data center solutions).

Two of the main manufacturers who offer a variety of solutions in this field are Western Digital and Seagate, both of which have a tradition of producing high-quality HDDs. As such, any comparison will be made between products from these two manufacturers and their respective ranges.

The data is the following:

WD SA500 NAS WD BLUE SA510 WD GREEN SEAGATE IRONWOLF 125 SEAGATE FIRECUDA 120 SEAGATE BARRACUDA Q1
ABILITY 1TB 1TB 1TB 1TB 1TB 960GB
READING SPEED 530MB/s 560MB/s 545MB/s 560MB/s 560MB/s 550MB/s
WRITE SPEED 560MB/s 510MB/s 465MB/s 540MB/s 540MB/s 500MB/s
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) 1,750,000 HOURS 1,750,000 HOURS 1,000,000 HOURS 1,800,000 HOURS 1,800,000 HOURS 1,800,000 HOURS
TBW (TERABYTES WRITTEN) 600TBW 400TBW 320TBW 1400TBW 1400TBW 300TBW

From the comparison, it appears that the read and write speeds are generally similar among the drives. The WD Green drive stands out as the slowest when it comes to writing, with speeds dropping below 500 MB/s. Furthermore, these drives have a significantly worse time between failures compared to the other Western Digital and Seagate solutions.

Another important factor to consider is the Terabytes written parameter. For an average user who adds about 20-50 GB of data per day, the worst-case lifespan of the drives is still over 15 years, which exceeds the lifespan of most computers.

ssd nas seagate ironwolf

So which SSD is worth it?

Based on the data, it doesn’t seem necessary to purchase a NAS SSD for a home or gaming computer as the performance difference is minimal and the average user won’t reach the maximum capacity or lifespan of a regular SSD. However, we will take a closer look at the units and their prices before giving our final opinion.

WD Red SA500 NAS 1TB

In our opinion, this model offers better performance than the other options from the same brand. It provides good value for money and durability, making it a suitable choice for those who require high write speeds for their work.

WD Blue SA510 1TB

This option seems to be the best among the ones listed here. It offers excellent performance, high durability, and a reasonable price point, making it a well-rounded solution. It can handle various tasks efficiently, making it a versatile option.

WD Green 1TB

Compared to the other Western Digital solutions on this list, the WD Green is definitely the worst. It has a lower tolerance for failures, an average Terabytes written capacity, and a slower write speed of less than 500 MB/s.

Seagate IronWolf 125 NAS 1TB

This unit is not recommended for a home computer due to its high price and focus on NAS drives. It is designed for caching functions in a NAS with a high Terabytes written capacity of 1400 TBW, more than double that of the WD SA500 drive.

Seagate FireCuda 120 1TB

In terms of performance, this FireCuda drive is geared towards gaming, but its SATA interface limits its potential. However, the drive’s features are not competitive in the market, making it an impractical choice for consumers. Additionally, the drive’s ability to handle up to 1400 TBW is excessive and unnecessary for the gaming market.

Seagate BarraCuda Q1 960GB

Currently, these drives have been discontinued and are no longer available as a 2.5-inch solution for the general market. Although their performance was average, they have the lowest TBW of all the units listed here. If they were to be reintroduced in the market, they could be considered a viable option only if priced below 75 Euros.