Abstract: A solid-state mass storage device for use with host computer systems, and methods of increasing the endurance of non-volatile memory components thereof that define a first non-volatile memory space. The mass storage device further has a second non-volatile memory space containing at least one non-volatile memory component having a higher write endurance than the memory components of the first non-volatile memory space. The second non-volatile memory space functions as a low-pass filter for host writes to the first non-volatile memory space to minimize read accesses to the first non-volatile memory space. Contents of the second non-volatile memory space are managed using a change counter.

Abstract: A solid state drive having at least one NAND flash memory component organized in blocks, pages and cells. Each cell is adapted to store at least two bits. Each block of the memory component is adapted to be dynamically configured to store at least one bit per cell using a first mode of operation and dynamically configured to store at least two bits per cell using a second mode of operation while the mass storage device is operating, wherein the first mode of operation entails programming fewer bits of a cell in fewer passes as compared to the second mode of operation.