How to Pick an SSD That Won't Die in Your Home Server

Your home server's ZFS pool is degrading. The checksum errors are climbing. You need to replace the failing drive — but buying the wrong SSD could silently fail in a year and take your entire pool with it. This episode breaks down what actually matters on an SSD spec sheet for server workloads: random IOPS at low queue depths, TBW endurance ratings, and whether power-loss protection is worth it. We compare specific models like the WD Red SA500, Seagate IronWolf 125, and Samsung 870 EVO, and explain why the cheapest option on Amazon is often the most expensive per terabyte written. If you're running ZFS at home, this is the episode that saves you from buying the wrong drive twice.