2TB or 4TB drive upgrade?

[zabzob]

So does that mean that with this RAID, if I have 02 SSDs installed (my laptopp has 2 NVMe SSD slots), I can combine them as if they were a single unit (2 + 2 = 4tb)?

Unless your laptop has a hardware RAID controller, you can use LVM for this (on Linux), but I've never used it. I like having different partitions for different purposes, including daily backups from my main partition to the second. And I can replace one of the disks without affecting the other.

Would that erase the data on my current SSD where the OS, files, home folder, etc are installed?

Yes.

There's also an advantage to using separate partitions on a single SSD. Using a separate data partition for your blockchain, and installing the OS on its own partition, will allow you to transfer the SSD to another device in case the current one quits on you. I will probably do this when I upgrade to a 2TB SSD in a few months, because my current laptop is falling apart. I had to take it to a shop to get the charging port repaired when it stopped working. I don't want to have to buy a new laptop until this one breaks, for all I know it will last me 5 more years. But I like the idea of being able to use the same SSD in the next laptop without having to re-download the entire blockchain.

[Forsyth Jones]

There's also an advantage to using separate partitions on a single SSD. Using a separate data partition for your blockchain, and installing the OS on its own partition, will allow you to transfer the SSD to another device in case the current one quits on you. I will probably do this when I upgrade to a 2TB SSD in a few months, because my current laptop is falling apart. I had to take it to a shop to get the charging port repaired when it stopped working. I don't want to have to buy a new laptop until this one breaks, for all I know it will last me 5 more years. But I like the idea of being able to use the same SSD in the next laptop without having to re-download the entire blockchain.

Yeah, that's what I need to decide in the next few months.

I like the idea of ​​having 2 separate SSDs, one for Windows and the second for Linux distributions. I still need a few years to worry about the blockchain reaching ~2TB, I still have an old spare laptop that I don't know what I'm going to do with yet  it also has a 2TB Samsung Evo 800 series SSD (SATA 2.5 standard). I'm thinking of either using it as a full node/Electrum server or making it an offline air-gapped PC to sign transactions offline, I still don't know.

I've also been thinking about buying another laptop. The one I've been using is ~05 years old, it's a top-of-the-line ultrabook, and it still serves me well, I still don't know if I'll use one of my current SSDs in a possible new laptop, or buy a new one, or take advantage of the one that comes from the factory.

I'm thinking of running an Electrs server again (after several failed attempts) on my Linux system where my Bitcoin Core is installed.

[LoyceV]

2000 bucks is not much
but most of us may not have over 100k in coins so 2000 is not reasonable.

I think you missed my point: there's absolutely no need to pay $2000 to keep your coins safe.

I like the idea of being able to use the same SSD in the next laptop without having to re-download the entire blockchain.

Last time I switched laptops, I just used rsync to transfer all data locally. My old (SATA) disk doesn't fit in the new NVMe slot anyway.

[DaveF]

2000 bucks is not much
but most of us may not have over 100k in coins so 2000 is not reasonable.

I think you missed my point: there's absolutely no need to pay $2000 to keep your coins safe.

I like the idea of being able to use the same SSD in the next laptop without having to re-download the entire blockchain.

Last time I switched laptops, I just used rsync to transfer all data locally. My old (SATA) disk doesn't fit in the new NVMe slot anyway.

There is no reason to even pay 1/4 of that.
Even with some redundancy. There is a bit of a risk buying used in the fact that you have no idea how the equipment was treated before you got it.

And if it is a bit slower and takes longer to IBD or do some things, so what? It's not like you are sitting there doing nothing while it's doing it. You can start it and walk away for days or a week and just check in on it now and then to be sure nothing bad happened.

Even now, I have NUC system that keeps locking up. Have to figure out why, but when it does I just give it a quick power cycle and it picks up where it left off. The only things on it that are important I have a copy of if it turns out to be the drive and it finally stops working. But, all disk tests show it's good so I don't think that is it.

Cost $149.00 for the machine $299.99 (ugh) for a 2TB drive.

-Dave

[LoyceV]

Even now, I have NUC system that keeps locking up. Have to figure out why

Dust in the fan causing it to overheat?

[goldkingcoiner]

Even now, I have NUC system that keeps locking up. Have to figure out why

Dust in the fan causing it to overheat?

Might also be old thermal paste.

[DaveF]

Even now, I have NUC system that keeps locking up. Have to figure out why

Dust in the fan causing it to overheat?

Might also be old thermal paste.

I'm actually thinking thermal like the 2 of you or a bad power brick.
When I have some of that mythical free time I'm going to pull it apart and check a few things.

But it does come back to that if it's just a bad NUC I can put the drive in another $150 machine and just keep going.
11th gen i3 NUCs with 8GB are sub $150 on eBay.
And whatever tiny drive comes with it goes into something that does not need a lot of storage.


-Dave

[Cricktor]

I still have an old spare laptop that I don't know what I'm going to do with yet   it also has a 2TB Samsung Evo 800 series SSD (SATA 2.5 standard). I'm thinking of either using it as a full node/Electrum server or making it an offline air-gapped PC to sign transactions offline, I still don't know.

I'd use this one for your full archival Bitcoin node and Electrum server (be it electrs or Fulcrum) rather than an air-gapped signing device. The 2TB SATA drive would be a waste for a signing device. (Yes, I know you could replace it and use the 2TB SATA for better use in another device, but more modern devices with SATA interface become more rare, likely.)

An old laptop is totally fine for a personal Electrum server. Pay attention to dust build-up, i.e. clean it occassionally, and it should serve you well for the years until 2TB storage for such a setup becomes too small.

[zabzob]

I like the idea of being able to use the same SSD in the next laptop without having to re-download the entire blockchain.

Last time I switched laptops, I just used rsync to transfer all data locally. My old (SATA) disk doesn't fit in the new NVMe slot anyway.

Thanks, I'll consider this option.

[KiaKia]

My 1TB SSD drive is running out of space and im doing some shopping. Given the ridiculous current prices for both storage and RAM, I was wondering if I should invest in 2TB or assume that due AI capex things will only get more expensive and 4TB SSD would be a good long term buy.

For instance, a drive from a reliable brand like Samsung and Crucial:

2TB: Around $320-$360
4TB: Around $440-$500

At what rate is the Bitcoin blockchain to be predicted to grow in the following years given current events? The key here would be knowing if AI is a bubble or not and prices will drop, or if it will become more efficient and require less space. However due Jebons paradox we may just be getting more AI demand as it becomes more efficient = prices don't really drop to the pre-AI era levels, thus buying now maybe a good idea.

How are node runners dealing with this at the moment?

You are getting the 2TB for the price of a 4TB, this is what AI have turned this pc hardware market into, id say you should buy the 2TB even though it will ended up getting filled later on.

There is hope, china is working on expanding their chips for making these ssd and nvme over price, I read it online somewhere that in the coming year the price will keep going down.

I can't perfectly remember but it has something to do with creating SSD and Ram sticks separately for AI and data center which they believe will make the price for normal consumers to become affordable, but if you have the money you should go with 4TB.

[philipma1957]

My 1TB SSD drive is running out of space and im doing some shopping. Given the ridiculous current prices for both storage and RAM, I was wondering if I should invest in 2TB or assume that due AI capex things will only get more expensive and 4TB SSD would be a good long term buy.

For instance, a drive from a reliable brand like Samsung and Crucial:

2TB: Around $320-$360
4TB: Around $440-$500

At what rate is the Bitcoin blockchain to be predicted to grow in the following years given current events? The key here would be knowing if AI is a bubble or not and prices will drop, or if it will become more efficient and require less space. However due Jebons paradox we may just be getting more AI demand as it becomes more efficient = prices don't really drop to the pre-AI era levels, thus buying now maybe a good idea.

How are node runners dealing with this at the moment?

You are getting the 2TB for the price of a 4TB, this is what AI have turned this pc hardware market into, id say you should buy the 2TB even though it will ended up getting filled later on.

There is hope, china is working on expanding their chips for making these ssd and nvme over price, I read it online somewhere that in the coming year the price will keep going down.

I can't perfectly remember but it has something to do with creating SSD and Ram sticks separately for AI and data center which they believe will make the price for normal consumers to become affordable, but if you have the money you should go with 4TB.

he has zero need for 4tb.

2tb is the proper choice.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

There’s a half decent chance that by the time the blockchain requires more than 2TB memory, the dude’s laptop will have reached end of life (if he uses it every day as a node).

You definitely do not need 4TB, not for at least 5-6 years.