SSD data retention

[CrisR82]

I have a question on my mind for a while now and thought I'd give it a go in case anyone happens to know the answer - how long can a SSD retain data if it doesn't get powered on?
 

In detail, I replaced a 120GB Kingston UV500 (with 83% health left according to the app) from an old laptop with a 500GB Samsung 870 Evo and am wondering if I can make use of the SSD for long term data storage like my old laptop HDDs. The way I am hoping to make use of it is to put backup installers of sold software, game saves from old physical games or other data I might need once per year or once per 2 years.

I know (or at least was taught back in the day) that HDDs have a rough retention period of 5 years without being powered on before data loss starts to become a concern so I was wondering if SSDs have this effect as well before deciding what to do with it.

[Dedayog]

5-10 years is what a quick google sees.

[Kilrah]

HDDs don't really have a retention period, but yes the flash on SSDs does leak charge.

[CerealExperimentsLain]

It's important to note that SSDs and HDDs are not rated for any kind of long term storage.  That's all 'out of spec' use.  Sure, after a few months your data will still be there, but the exact life time, weather a hard drive drive dies on the shelf or the NAND flash leaks electrons at what rate, is not highly accurately known.  If you really want cold storage to last years, you should look at something designed for it rather than using an old SSD as an improvised solution.

[CrisR82]

19 hours ago, CerealExperimentsLain said:

It's important to note that SSDs and HDDs are not rated for any kind of long term storage.  That's all 'out of spec' use.  Sure, after a few months your data will still be there, but the exact life time, weather a hard drive drive dies on the shelf or the NAND flash leaks electrons at what rate, is not highly accurately known.  If you really want cold storage to last years, you should look at something designed for it rather than using an old SSD as an improvised solution.

Well, I'm mostly looking into finding purpose for old hardware I have lying around. Old laptop HDDs in capture cards, or in an external enclosure for backups...stuff like that. First time I ever have a spare SSD so trying to figure out what to do with it, 120GB is not really much in general, but I guess I could use it as a really use USB stick  (in terms of size, not capacity)

 

Thanks for the info guys.