Can I use SSD as external backup on 1 USB 2.0 port?

[we3fan]

Hi guys,

I plan to buy a 2.5" 256GB Solid State Drive and use it as external backup storage.

Because SSDs don't have moving parts I hope that the power from 1 USB 2.0 port (500 mA) will be enough to use the SSD without any problems, but I am not sure so I wanted to ask you guys if this is possible.

Can 1 USB 2.0 port (500 mA) provide enough power to use a 2.5" 256GB SSD without any problems?
And can you guys recommend me a 256GB SSD for external backup storage that uses low power and is nicely built and durable to last longer?

Thanks for your time.

[Kum Ruzvelt]

Why you want to use slow USB and fast SSD? You have USB3.0 10x faster then USB2.
For good SSD search on other PC hardware forums.

[we3fan]

Hi, thanks for replying.

I already have 1 USB 3.0 Flash Drive, and I wanted to buy 1 more for security.

But I read somewhere that Solid State Drives have a bit better quality and have longer durability than USB Flash Drives. Is this true?

That is why I was considering to buy a Solid State Drive for backup instead of another USB Flash Drive.

[we3fan]

I want to ask you guys 1 more thing, I plan to fill the full 256 GB device with data and then let it sit powered off for 5-10 years if possible.

Which would be the best to use for this situation: USB Flash Drive, Solid State Drive or normal Hard Disk Drive?

[tom.ty89]

Don't expect it to be a certain thing that single USB 2.0 is enough to power an SSD. For ancient models like Intel X25-M G1 (2.5W) it is just enough, but for an OCZ Trion 100 (4.8W), not even a single USB 3.0 is sufficient. Not to mention that the SATA bridge on the USB adapter might matter too.

Indeed an SSD probably has a higher endurance than a simple thumb drive, but that might not matter a lot if the data are gonna be static for years.

I heard that flash memory cannot hold data for too long without power too, but I don't know exactly how often you need to "charge" it. You can't be bothered to at least connect it to power once a year or so?

But to be honest, HDD seems to suit your case most.

[HaQue]

[quote="we3fan"]I want to ask you guys 1 more thing, I plan to fill the full 256 GB device with data and then let it sit powered off for 5-10 years if possible.

I wouldn't use a flash device for this. I would probably use a HDD or 2, being so small and cheap and if data was extremely important, cloud storage as well.