this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2025
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Hi guys!

I have what I'd consider a beefy gaming PC. AMD 7700 CPU, 32GB RAM, 7800XT 16GB, NVMe 1TB for OS, mSATA SSD 2TB for storage/games.

So...whenever I get a while using the computer, with a bunch of windows open, say firefox taking 4GB of RAM, total for everything a bit over 16GB...I'm prone to get a whole system slowdown/freeze, which can take a few full minutes until it settles. I can see the storage red led on the whole time without blinking, so it really looks like swapping.

However sometimes I don't see movements in the system process viewer, in usage from RAM/swap, I'd imagine those graphs would change if the data in swap has changed.

Swapping is set in the mSATA, taking 8GB, so I reckon that migth not be the fastest. Still, that's an SSD. I'm not sure how can I check/troubleshoot whatever is tanking my computer performance?

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 days ago (3 children)

You shouldn't really use swap on an SSD in the first place. It reduces the drive's lifespan.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It reduces the drive’s lifespan.

Let's remember that swapping frequency and volume are system-dependent; practically zero on many systems. On a well-provisioned system that doesn't swap much, having swap space on an SSD can be easier on the environment and wallet than buying and powering a separate device for it.

Nevertheless, I agree that minimizing SSD writes is worthwhile, and reject the notion that an SSD's useful lifetime ends when I'm done with it. (See my other comment.)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

An SSD also throttles as it heats up, going as slow as an old HDD. I thought I broke mine when it took an hour to copy 100 gigs of files, but it just slowed down to keep under 60C. Idk how much swapping heats it up though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

While true, you're still unlikely to see significant wear from a typical PC use case over the typical replacement time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I try to keep in mind that replacement shouldn't mean landfill. When my needs have outgrown an SSD, it gets repurposed, donated, or sold. Old ones still work great in computers used in education, special-purpose systems, test environments, refurbished laptops, appliance-like machines, etc.

In the long run, conserving SSD life while I own it translates into less waste and pollution in the world.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Typical replacement time of what? You never need to replace an SSD if it doesn't wear out.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

most people aren't using 64gb ssds anymore, so I would say that the 64gb ssd I bought in 2014 has outlived its usable life, even though it is not worn out.