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What is Flash Endurance?
Flash memory chips, used in Kingston's Digital Media products, differ from the traditional DRAM memory
modules used in computers. Whereas DRAM memory cells hold their data only while the computer is powered
up, Flash storage devices such as Kingston's Flash cards and USB Flash drives preserve data even when they
are disconnected from a host device or computer for up to 10 years. This is called "non-volatile" data
storage and is the reason why you can carry Flash storage devices in your pocket without worrying about
data loss.
However, this non-volatility in storing data comes at a cost. The Flash memory cells that store the data
wear out over time hence the term "Endurance" used to describe the Flash cell's ability to withstand usage.
NAND Flash cells are rated for normal and heavy-duty use:
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Kingston's standard Flash products are rated at 10,000 write cycles with Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND chips
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Kingston's Elite Pro, Ultimate, and its DataTraveler, DataTraveler II, DataTraveler II Plus Migo
Edition, and DataTraveler Elite are rated at 100,000 write cycles with Single-Level Cell (SLC) NAND chips
More information on the differences between MLC and SLC Flash chips can be found in the
Kingston Flash Memory Guide
While 10,000 write cycles for the standard Flash products may seem low, it actually translates to many years of use.
The controllers used in Kingston's Flash memory products use special wear-leveling technology to spread the wear evenly
across all Flash cells and extend the life of the Flash product.
According to Toshiba, the inventor of Flash memory and one of the top suppliers of Flash memory chips, the 10,000 cycles
of MLC [Multi-Level Cell] NAND is more than sufficient for a wide range of consumer applications, from storing documents
to digital photos. For example, if a 256-MB MLC NAND Flash-based card can typically store 250 pictures from a 4-megapixel
camera (a conservative estimate), its 10,000 write/erase cycles, combined with wear-leveling algorithms in the controller,
will enable the user to store and/or view approximately 2.5 million pictures within the expected useful life of the card.
For USB flash drives, Toshiba calculated that a 10,000 write cycle endurance would enable customers to completely write and
erase the entire contents once per day for 27 years, well beyond the life of the hardware.
Under normal storage conditions, the Flash storage devices can store data for up to 10 years; however, Kingston recommends that
all important data be saved on multiple types of backup media, including paper.
Kingston engineers are conservative in their specifications. Some leading manufacturers in the industry, utilizing the same Flash
memory chips that Kingston uses, rate their products' Flash endurance at "1,000,000." This can be confusing to end users. The
bottom line is that Kingston ships high-quality Flash memory cards and USB drives and offers you a choice of normal use and
high-performance products. Kingston Flash cards come with a lifetime warranty, and the DataTraveler line of USB drives come with
a 5-year warranty.
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