I have an Intel 660p 512GB SSD that has been used mainly as my Windows boot drive and for game storage since 2019. Its specifications list a 100TBW endurance rating, and it has currently recorded about 83TB of writes. CrystalDiskInfo reports 72% health and still labels the drive as "Good." Is it reasonable to keep using it as my primary boot drive, or should I replace it now?
4 Answers
You can continue using it if it is working normally. The TBW figure is an endurance rating, not a guaranteed failure point, so reaching it does not automatically mean the SSD will stop working. Keep reliable backups of anything important, though.
I’d keep an eye on the SMART information and run a long diagnostic test if you’re concerned. SSD failures can sometimes happen abruptly, so having a current backup or drive image matters more than trying to predict the exact failure date.
If the SSD reaches the end of its rated life, it may eventually become read-only or show other warning signs, but the rating is not a precise countdown. Since it is at 83TBW, planning a replacement soon is sensible, but there is no urgent need if its health indicators remain normal and you have backups.
The drive is already beyond its original warranty period, since the warranty was limited by either 100TBW or five years, whichever came first. That still does not mean it is unsafe to use today. Keep using it for the operating system and replace it when convenient, but consider moving irreplaceable data elsewhere and using the old SSD for games or files that can be re-downloaded.
That makes sense. I’ll make sure the important files are backed up and monitor the drive instead of replacing it immediately.