New Build

Everyone has their own preference/opinion, the OCZ has had mention of several issues, my concern is how OCZ handles them.
There a lot of people that don't have issues but, as mentioned, seems to be more with Asus motherboards.
Their published speed numbers are for best case scenario of highly compressible data, real life numbers aren't as high.
/end disclaimer
Depending on usage, 'Lifetime throttling' may slow down the write speed, but that is only if a very high amount of writes are done.

I use Intel, mainly for the purported stability and reliability, all pretty much not confirmed yet as it will take more time to be confirmed.

I would recommend the Crucial M4, good solid SSD, the new version of the C300.
A new firmware is reported to increase an already good overall performance by as much as 20%.
If the prices are similar, go with the M4.

Just a little information, there is an ongoing endurance test.
SSD Write Endurance 25nm Vs 34nm

The M4 reported write speed is second only to the Samsung 470.


Read speed is more important, as is the access time.

Well, here are the SSDs that are available. I can't go above $269. The Crucial M4 is there but there are a few other decent looking drives too so I'm not entirely sure which to get.

This is very subjective, kinda like which browser do you like, everyone has there own opinions and reasoning.

After doing some investigation over the last couple years, for various reasons, my personal preferences are Intel and Crucial SSDs.

I did look at that link earlier, from that list of 120 & 128GB drives I would get the Crucial M4.

The most important numbers for SSDs are access times and random reads, these will be used the most in day to day use of your system.
The most published numbers are sequential writes, which are used when you install OS and large programs, which normally isn't very often.

You can check various SSDs at AnandTech SSD Bench.


AsSSD benchmark uses incompressible files to test with, this is probably not the case in real life use but, give a tough test with the finial score weighted to access times and random reads.

You can look at many AsSSD results posted here: AS SSD Benchmark thread
Also look at the first post, there are a list of the various SSD scores, this hasen't been updated in a few months, so if you want to see the latest released drives just look through the last 20 or so pages.

The Crucial M4 it is then. Anyway, the last thing I need help with is the RAM. I'm still at odds whether to buy 8GB 2133 Mhz memory or 16GB 1600Mhz memory. Both are G.Skill Ripjaws.

You'll love that m4 SSD ! I would opt for the 16gb of 1600mhz but that's only because you'll need to OC the ram to get it to 2133mhz. That being said the 2133mhz will be crazy fast but will create some heat that should also be controlled with direct cooling fans.

linnemeyerhere said:

You'll love that m4 SSD ! I would opt for the 16gb of 1600mhz but that's only because you'll need to OC the ram to get it to 2133mhz. That being said the 2133mhz will be crazy fast but will create some heat that should also be controlled with direct cooling fans.

Right. I've never OCed my CPU before and have read I need it in time with my RAM? Am I missing something because I'm not entirely sure what that means?

Well they are really two separate issues. But to get the ram speed that the 2133 stick can produce you normally will need to set them up as a overclock in the bios. This shouldn't be confused with a CPU overclock but it's kind of the same premise. Don't let that be an obstacle if you in fact are opting for the faster ram as many here can work you through it with ease.

JaidynM said:

The Crucial M4 it is then. Anyway, the last thing I need help with is the RAM. I'm still at odds whether to buy 8GB 2133 Mhz memory or 16GB 1600Mhz memory. Both are G.Skill Ripjaws.

Without question, I would opt for the faster 8GB of memory. Unless you plan to run multiple concurrent virtual machines, 16GB will pretty much always go un-utilized.

Have to agree, unless you are going to do heavy graphics rendering, lots of VM, the 8GB at a higher speed can always be underclocked and run at 1600MHz, which will run cool and have the option to increase the frequency if you want.

8GB RAM will be plenty for most of us.
When testing my 8GB, couple VMs, basic rendering, lots of browsers opened, I still had free RAM.

2x4GB RAM cards will still leave you with upgrade opportunities if you need it later.

pparks1 said:

JaidynM said:

The Crucial M4 it is then. Anyway, the last thing I need help with is the RAM. I'm still at odds whether to buy 8GB 2133 Mhz memory or 16GB 1600Mhz memory. Both are G.Skill Ripjaws.

Without question, I would opt for the faster 8GB of memory. Unless you plan to run multiple concurrent virtual machines, 16GB will pretty much always go un-utilized.

Dave76 said:

Have to agree, unless you are going to do heavy graphics rendering, lots of VM, the 8GB at a higher speed can always be underclocked and run at 1600MHz, which will run cool and have the option to increase the frequency if you want.

8GB RAM will be plenty for most of us.
When testing my 8GB, couple VMs, basic rendering, lots of browsers opened, I still had free RAM.

2x4GB RAM cards will still leave you with upgrade opportunities if you need it later.

Fair points. I'll go for the 8GB then. Sorry, Alan.

I guess I'm done then. Thanks to everyone that's helped throughout this thread!!!