Solved OCZ Vertex Plus R2 SSD or Crucial v4 SSD?

[Tomtom111]

Hi,

I was wondering which SSD would be better when comparing speed/quality/reliablity, etc. My computer only has SATAII (2) so I don't need a really fast SATAIII (3) one, but I was wondering which would be better. Obviously Crucial Drives are the cheapest on the market, but I've heard that ORZ SSD's are good. The ORZ is a bit more expensive but I wouldn't mind that.

So basically, which is better for my system?
Thanks

CT256V4SSD2 - 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive , from Crucial.com

OCZ Vertex Plus R2 Series SATA II 2.5" SSD - OCZ

 

[Tomtom111]

Oh, and another thing- I'm considering a RAM upgrade (I know it won't effect performance as dramatically as an SSD but still...) is this RAM any good? I would be going for the slower one because Speccy says I've got DDR2 ram in currently, so it would be any faster going for the faster card.
Thanks again.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Compaq-P...0/dp/B00989KMAC/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A3P50MKZ2I7TMD

 

[bigmck]

I have had a OCZ Vertex 3 for about four months now and it is great. I don't think you will get any definate answer on which is the best because everyone has their favorite. The SSD will do the most of anything to speed up your system. Even with a slow system, the SSD just makes it fly. You can find them online for a good price now. == On that RAM, you have to make sure that your Motherboard will take it. There is a site that will tell you what you need. It escapes me now, but one of the other guys will lead you to it.

 

[Tomtom111]

Thanks for the reply.

It may be crucial, they do ram cards as well as ssd's. But someone I know does like crucial ram, and the one I linked to claimed 100% compatibility and a 30 day money back guaranteed. But to be honest I may have been drawn in by it.

On the compatibility side, the linked ram says 100% compatibility but it is DDR3 whereas mine is DDR2. Would that cause a problem?

 

[bigmck]

Your motherboard has to support it and probably would not support DDR3 if you have DDR2 now. I will try to find the site so you can check to see if your motherboard support it.

 

[bigmck]

Check this site and it will tell you what you have and what you need. http://www.crucial.com/store/drammemory.aspx

 

[bobkn]

It would be useful for Tomtom to mention the exact HP model number.

DDR2 and DDR3 SODIMMs are not interchangeable. They appear similar, but they have notches in different locations. (They're also electrically incompatible.)

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, SSD at Crucial.com/uk may be your best bet. Their prices may not be the absolute lowest, but they should be fairly good, and they guarantee compatibility. You could cheat a bit and see if you can find a lower price for the same part numbers elsewhere.

 

[Tomtom111]

Well here's the product number:
VJ342EA

and if you want the link to the specs for it:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...c=en&product=4034132&tmp_track_link=ot_search

Ok thanks for that, I won't look any further at the other ones. But, jut one thing a guy I know doesn't like crucial ram at all because he says they cause problems.

 

[essenbe]

Crucial Ram is very well respected and has very good customer support as do their SSDs. Crucial and Samsung are 2 of the most reliable SSD on the market. If you go to the crucial memory adviser (linked to by Bigmck) and let it scan, the ram you buy from Crucial is guaranteed to work.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Personally the Samsung 830 and shortly the 840 are hard to beat and there doesn't seem to be many of the problems with the controller as the other drives.

Plextor too I have seen good reviews and am going to try one (256GB) soon as it and the 120GB Sammy are really well priced - out here any way.

Tip: stay away from SanDisk one in my test laptop is beginning to play up.

Sorry the RAM I meant to mention I have stuck Corsair DDR2 or 3 in all of my laptops and some deskies with no problems at all. Seems to be compatible with most stuff.

 

[Tomtom111]

I only need a 3gbps SATA2 connection getting any faster would be a waste of money. Are there any Samsung 256gb 3gbps drives?

 

[brummyfan]

Hi Tomtom,
It's better to buy SATA III ssd than SATA II drive, SATA III drives are cheaper and backward compatible, I have enclosed some links for you to compare.
Samsung 128gb Ssd - Sata-ii 2.5" - Paper Retail.. | Ebuyer.com

SAMSUNG 256GB 830 Series SSD - 2.5" SATA-III.. | Ebuyer.com

 

[bobkn]

Well here's the product number:
VJ342EA

and if you want the link to the specs for it:

Product Specifications HP Pavilion dv6-2020sa Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support

Ok thanks for that, I won't look any further at the other ones. But, jut one thing a guy I know doesn't like crucial ram at all because he says they cause problems.

I was looking for the model name (dv6-2020sa). Thanks.

The laptop uses DDR2. It apparently can take 4GB SODIMMs, two of them for a total of 8GB. Unfortunately, DDR2 tends to be much more expensive than DDR3 at the moment.

"doesn't like Crucial RAM at all because they cause problems"? That's a rather, er, uncommon perception.I don't buy RAM very often, and I'm not running any Crucial RAM at the moment, but I regard them as the conservative choice if you're concerned about compatibility.

 

[Tomtom111]

When I say 'friend' he's a PC maintenance guy I know, and as he deals a lot with this sort of thing I sort of took his word for it. Anyway, I might go with this card from crucial.

http://http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=EC991C99A5CA7304

I know it's best to buy two together, but to be honest I don't want or need a big upgrade, if at all. I was just thinking of a gig or two, or three...

I'm looking into Samsung ssd's now and they look good.

 

[Tomtom111]

Something I've just realised is tht the Samsung 830 is 7mm thick, and other drives, like my current one are bigger. So will it fit properly into the old drive bay without wedging it in or something?

 

[bobkn]

When I say 'friend' he's a PC maintenance guy I know, and as he deals a lot with this sort of thing I sort of took his word for it. Anyway, I might go with this card from crucial.

http://http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=EC991C99A5CA7304

I know it's best to buy two together, but to be honest I don't want or need a big upgrade, if at all. I was just thinking of a gig or two, or three...

I'm looking into Samsung ssd's now and they look good.

Mixing RAM is one way to get into trouble. I'd be more inclined to risk it on a desktop, where manually setting the RAM's timings in the BIOS can make different makes play together. On a laptop (at least, on the cheap Compaq one I've had for 4 years), the manual BIOS settings are very limited.

As regards the SSD, I don't know for certain for that laptop model, but I'd expect that thinner is OK. A lot of laptops can only take 7 mm thick drives. Please post back if it doesn't fit.

 

[Tomtom111]

Thanks for your replies.

I've just measure the drive that's in currently and it's definitely 9mm thick. There are brackets, which I assume would would with the Samsung 830 as well. I've taken a few photos of the bay and the drive it's self, they may help in some way.

I've also looked at the bios on mine, and as you said its very limited. So I may get two cards, but have a smaller upgrade ie. 2x2Gb cards, meaning a 1Gb upgrade, as my budget is fairly limited.

 

[bobkn]

Thanks for your replies.

I've just measure the drive that's in currently and it's definitely 9mm thick. There are brackets, which I assume would would with the Samsung 830 as well. I've taken a few photos of the bay and the drive it's self, they may help in some way.

I've also looked at the bios on mine, and as you said its very limited. So I may get two cards, but have a smaller upgrade ie. 2x2Gb cards, meaning a 1Gb upgrade, as my budget is fairly limited.

I'm not dead certain, but I think that the drive attaches to the adapter bracket in such a way that a thinner drive would work as well. You can probably get a better idea if you remove the assembly from the laptop.

 

[Tomtom111]

Ok thanks.

Quick Q... which one do I get?
On Amazon there are three different options and I'm not sure which one is best. Thanks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok thanks.

Quick Q... which one do I get?
On Amazon there are three different options and I'm not sure which one is best. Thanks.

I reckon the middle one - new but goodness they are certain asking a premium price - no where else. Out here $209 for the same (134 in the old money) but ditch the Ghost mate. Can you wait till 840 comes out you might get a better price on a 830?

Personally I am going to try the Plextor 256 out here $179 (115 there) but hey horse for courses eh?