6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Flash Memory | Drawbacks & Benefits of Flash Memory

 

Flash Memory: What is it?

Erasable Read Only Memory (EEROM), a type of memory that can be used to erase and recreate data, is what flash memory is. Because it is non-volatile, data can be stored in it even in the absence of electricity. There are two types of flash memory based on how read/write data is addressed. These two types of flash memory are NOR and NAND.

How is Flash Memory Operational?

Solid State Chips are used to construct flash memory. These chips are made up of a variety of flash memory cells. Data is stored in flash memory using semi conductors as opposed to the conventional electrochemical technique. Since flash memory is the only kind of semi-conductor memory, it is a crucial sort of storing medium. Despite its enormous growth in popularity, flash memory's widespread use is constrained by a few issues. Before using this storage medium, keep these things in mind.


This post will discuss the 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Flash Memory | Drawbacks & Benefits of Flash Memory. You will learn about the pros and cons of using Flash memory from this page.

Now let's get started,

Advantages of Flash Memory

1. Speed

Flash memory has a fast rate of data transfer. Flash memory can read and write data more quickly than a conventional hard drive. 

 

Solid State Drives continue to perform well when latency and IOPs are taken into account.


2. Durability

Flash memory is a non-moving component. It is entirely dependent upon electrochemical mechanisms. It is also more durable because it has no moving parts.


3. Form Factor

The majority of flash memories are available in many formats. Less space is needed to hold data storage since smaller units may hold the same or more capacity.


4. Reliability

The reliability of hard disk drives has continuously improved over the past 70 years. Flash memories still rate higher than them, though. 

 

Once more, this is a result of its absence of moving parts. Because flash memories are dependable, using them in mobile devices is advised.


5. Efficiency

Physical components are not needed for flash memory to function. Because of this, relatively little energy is needed for it to work. Additionally, as a result of this, no noise is made.


6. Portability

The high degree of portability of flash memory is another advantage. As a result, they are typically found in compact and lightweight gadgets. Examples include camera flash cards and USB memory sticks. 

 

Disadvantages of Flash Memory

1. Cost

Flash memory are usually more expensive than conventional hard disk drives when looking at cost per gigabyte. 

 

This is due to the fact that hard disk drives are and have always been less expensive to produce. 

 

As a result, HDDs are typically preferred over other types of flash memory by small businesses.


2. Effectiveness

Program/Erase is the method used by the majority of NAND flash disks to store data. This procedure eventually wears down the flash drives and causes them to break if the amount of fresh writes is not decreased. 

 

Because of this, flash memory are unable to withstand high write loads.


3. Durability

While flash memory are more resilient than conventional hard disk drives, their lifespan is finite. If you apply high voltages across transistors, it gradually deteriorates. 

 

But most flash memories don't degrade until they've been rewritten at least 10,000 times.


4. Capacity

The majority of flash memory, if not all of them, typically struggle to attain higher capacities than hard disk drives. 

 

Higher capacity solid state drives are limited to those that have flash memory. However, only in extremely unusual situations. SSDs also have trouble filling drives up to 1TB. 

 

Aside from this, all flash memory with larger capacity have a tendency to experience performance problems. As a result, capacity is a constant worry while using flash storage.


5. Editing Works

The fact that flash memories rewrite data in block units is another disadvantage. It can take a very long time if it is done for each byte individually. 

 

The editing time has decreased dramatically as a result. This procedure does not, however, guarantee that every block may be altered precisely.


6. Physical Damages

Flash memories are prone to deterioration, particularly those found in memory cards. They are easily lost or broken. 

 

Electronic corruption can occasionally render a card illegible. Similarly, SSDs might also be affected by this problem. When handled incorrectly, they can sustain damage.