NAND prices have skyrocketed: +300% in Japan, an 8TB SSD at $3,500
The last quarter has shown how no PC component is immune to sudden price hikes. Now it's the turn of SSDs: NAND chip prices have quadrupled in the last nine months, with immediate repercussions on the storage device market. In Japan, an 8TB Samsung 9100 SSD has reached the record price of $3,500, a 300% increase that is putting professional users' budgets to the test.
My experience with local AI: 1.9TB written in three months
My local AI workflow has turned my main SSD into a battleground. Every model downloaded via Ollama is fully written to the disk, with write operations quickly adding up. With models like Qwen3-Coder, Gemma 4, and others, write operations have multiplied, reaching 1.9TB in just three months. The situation worsened when my activities exceeded the available 48GB of memory, forcing Windows to use the paging file on the primary disk.
How I solved the problem: the power of forgotten SSDs
The solution was simple: I reused an old 250GB Crucial SATA SSD that was lying unused. I moved the Ollama models directory and the paging file to this secondary disk, significantly reducing the wear on my main NVMe. This approach not only freed up space on my primary SSD but also protected the disk from the intense write operations caused by paging.
Not just AI: other uses for a spare disk
A spare disk can be useful for much more than just local AI workloads. I also moved Chrome browser cache, shader cache, and Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom temporary files to my old SSD. These files, by their nature, are temporary and non-critical, making them perfect for a dedicated disk that absorbs write operations.
Old hardware, new value
In this strange market, a five-year-old SATA SSD that many would have thrown away or recycled has become one of the most valuable components in my setup. Offloading temporary write operations to this disk has extended the useful life of my main SSD, demonstrating how reusing seemingly obsolete hardware can be a significant system upgrade.
How to configure a spare disk
Configuring a spare disk is a simple process. For the paging file, just modify Windows virtual memory settings, moving it from the boot disk to a secondary disk. For temporary files, you can change individual application settings to point to a different disk. These changes take only a few minutes of configuration and can make a significant difference in the lifespan of your main SSD.
Future implications
With SSD prices continuing to rise, it is more important than ever to find ways to extend the useful life of our existing storage devices. Reusing old SSDs as spare disks is a cost-effective and efficient solution that can help mitigate the impact of price hikes in the market. Furthermore, this approach can improve system performance, reducing wear on the main disk and freeing up space for more critical data.
Final considerations
In a market where SSD prices are constantly increasing, reusing existing hardware becomes an essential strategy. My experience demonstrates how an old SSD can be transformed into a valuable component, extending the useful life of my main SSD and improving overall system performance. With a few simple changes, you can protect your storage devices from intense write operations, ensuring they last longer despite the current price inflation.
The SSD market and hidden opportunities
The current situation of the SSD market offers an opportunity to rethink our approach to storage management. With prices constantly increasing, it is fundamental to adopt strategies that maximize the lifespan of our existing devices. This not only reduces replacement costs but also contributes to a more sustainable approach to technology.
The environmental impact of reuse
Reusing old SSDs not only saves money but also has a positive impact on the environment. The production of new storage devices requires significant resources and generates electronic waste. By extending the life of our existing SSDs, we reduce the need for new purchases and contribute to the reduction of electronic waste.
Data security considerations
When configuring a spare disk, it is important to consider data security. Ensure that temporary and non-critical files are moved to the secondary disk, while important data remains on the main disk. This approach ensures that any issues with the spare disk do not compromise essential data.
The importance of preventive maintenance
Regularly monitoring disk wear and write operations is fundamental to preventing sudden failures. Tools like CrystalDiskInfo can provide valuable information about the disk's status, allowing timely intervention to protect data and extend the device's life.
Exploring other applications for spare disks
In addition to managing temporary files and paging, spare disks can be used for other applications. For example, they can host local backups, store large multimedia files, or function as system disks for software testing, freeing up space on the main disk for more important data.
The evolution of storage technologies
As storage technologies advance, it is likely that even more efficient solutions will emerge to manage intensive workloads. However, in the current context, reusing existing hardware remains one of the most practical and economical strategies to address price increases and device wear.
In a market where SSD prices continue to rise, adopting innovative strategies to extend the life of our existing devices has become essential. Reusing old SSDs as spare disks not only offers an economic advantage but also contributes to a more sustainable approach to technology. With a few simple changes, you can protect your storage devices, ensuring they last longer despite the current price inflation.
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