Seriously thinking about getting an SSD

[Petey7]

I'm currently considering the benefits of getting an SSD. There are certain circumstances keeping me from getting one at the moment, but as soon as I can buy one without going broke, I plan to buy a 30-32GB one for the OS and use my current HDD for file storage. If you had to choose between the two below, which would you choose? The Corsair seems to be a all around better drive, has better reviews, and is cheaper. But, I've heard a lot of good things about OCZ.

Newegg.com - OCZ Onyx OCZSSD2-1ONX32G 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Newegg.com - Corsair Nova CSSD-V32GB2-BRKT 2.5" 32GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Also, anything else I should consider when actually buying a SSD? I know about voided warranties (done it at least 6 times already), and having to buy a HDD caddy for my computer. I was just wondering about anything having to do with the drives themselves.

 

[pparks1]

I would do neither of thoese drives, but this one instead. It's in the same price range.
Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Nothing special you have to do....in fact with mine...it's actually velcroed into the case.

 

[Petey7]

I can't use one that has to velcroed into the case. I have to use a HDD caddy and interposer made made for my line of computers to get it to work in this laptop.

Is there something actually wrong with either of those two drives?

EDIT: I'm looking over that drive you linked to. It looks pretty darn good and some of the one egg/star reviews are from people who don't know what they are doing, or complaining about not getting their rebate after 4 weeks, when OCZ makes it clear it usually takes about 12. I mean, I don't even own one and I already know how long the rebate takes.

 

[Mellon Head]

Mushkin's Callisto series stacks up pretty well, spec wise, to the OCZ Vertex series. There's no rebate on them here in Canada, but I've never actually received a rebate on any OCZ product I've bought. Sorta affects my price comparisons, because I totally ignore the rebate.

 

[Petey7]

Sorta affects my price comparisons, because I totally ignore the rebate.

On anything that doesn't have a "automatic rebate", I never consider the rebate as part of the price. It's just a little extra icing on the cake, if you get it.

 

[24c]

I would go with the OCZ, great drive, and a fantastic forum should help be needed.

 

[Mellon Head]

On anything that doesn't have a "automatic rebate", I never consider the rebate as part of the price. It's just a little extra icing on the cake, if you get it.

Agreed. After getting burned five times, I just don't bother with anything that isn't automatic.

But this is on my Christmas list...

NCIX.com - Buy Mushkin Callisto Deluxe 60GB 2.5IN SATA2 Sandforce MLC Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD - MKNSSDCL60GB-DX In Canada.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

EDIT: I'm looking over that drive you linked to. It looks pretty darn good and some of the one egg/star reviews are from people who don't know what they are doing, or complaining about not getting their rebate after 4 weeks, when OCZ makes it clear it usually takes about 12. I mean, I don't even own one and I already know how long the rebate takes.

Those rebates are useless... I'm still waiting on my OCZ and Gigabyte rebate from 20 months ago. Every once a while a costumer support guy responds promising to send the check... until i gave up for the ridiculous $ 20 or so.

when comparing prices I never ever will take that rebate into account unless it is instant.

 

[Wishmaster]

I have 2 different "value' type SSDs.

My OS is now on the Intel 40Gb which I find is plenty of room for the OS and programs. Placing all personal DATA and games on spinners.

I also have a 30GB OCZ Vertex.

I can not speak about the Vertex 2, but the 30GBVertex I currently have has had a few issues since FW 1.5.
RMA'd once, and a few minor hiccups from time to time. It usually gets repaired NP, But I would no longer recommed them for critical DATA, such as the OS.

However, not everyone has had issues as I have with them, and Vertex 2 very well may have this all fixed.


IMHO, ther Intels are rock solid, and despite the fact the look slower on paper, in the real world they are faster.
Not a single issue out my Intel. Quite happy with it. I would certainly recommend them.

As far as the rebates with OCZ, I have seen many issues of those who had problems.
My personal experience, they honored it without issue.
Just remember to send it soon. you only have so long to get it in, and I wounder if this is where issues arise.
They also took care of the RAM without question or trouble. (just sent brand new one when they recieved old)


Whichever you decide on, you will be quite pleased with a SSD sytem.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

I would favor Intel just for the fact that there you know what you get. Rockstable. and they only have 2 lines - MLC for home users and SLC for professionals. With OCZ I never know which one is a dud and which one not. 40 different SSD??? Are you kidding and everyone of them has a fast-sounding name. I don't even know if all support TRIM.

Intel also is cheaper on $/BG and in real life sure faster than most others.

Does anyone know when prices will be affected due to the 25nm SSD to arrive by end of the year? I mean they are rumored to be halve as expensive? but will they really be?

I'm eying buying the 80 GB Intel (My OS needs 60+ GB), but would like to wait till either that gets cheaper or the new generation shows up.

 

[Petey7]

After adding up the size of all my personal data (documents, music, etc,) it looks like I will only be using 20GB with the OS and programs I currently have installed, which is good because I'll probably install a couple more lightweight programs in the near future.

Every Intel SSD I see either is just outside of my desired price range, or blows it away.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

After adding up the size of all my personal data (documents, music, etc,) it looks like I will only be using 20GB with the OS and programs I currently have installed, which is good because I'll probably install a couple more lightweight programs in the near future.

Every Intel SSD I see either is just outside of my desired price range, or blows it away.

Like HDDS, the SSD needs to be larger to properly clean etc. You also can use that super-fast SSD for virtual memory, which you need. the Intel 40 GB drive is only $ 15 more than the ones you looked at.

 

[Petey7]

It would be nice if newegg actually had it. Everywhere else I look at the Intel 40GB its $120 at the cheapest.

 

[Wishmaster]

At $120, it is worth the price I think. Probably one of the best SSD drives in that price/value range.



Will be 37.2 GB useable inside Windows for the Intel 40GB
A 30Gb Vertex is 29.8 useable in Windows.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

It would be nice if newegg actually had it. Everywhere else I look at the Intel 40GB its $120 at the cheapest.

they are gonna have it at some time. If you wnated to save money, you could just keep the HDDs

you get what you pay for... your Os will "grow "over time and you'll need mmore GB.

 

[Petey7]

I hear both of you. I just think that I can manage with a 32GB drive for right now. The main thing I want is to test on of these bad boys out of an extended period of time.

To be honest, I can't find a bad review yet on the Corsair drive. I'm going to keep looking. If find one or two bad reviews, I'll think I'll just go with the OCZ vertex.

 

[BugMeister]

OCZ are great - they've replaced both of my SSD's with upgraded models
- early firmware faults render their Series1 drives suspect - Series2 are fine, though..

I would go for something slightly larger than 30G, though - after you've installed the OS there won't be a lot left over..

and once you see how the SSD performs, you'll be itching to get more use out of it..

I have 2x60G OCZ's and there's definitely a tendency to want to make full use of them both..

 

[pparks1]

IMHO, ther Intels are rock solid, and despite the fact the look slower on paper, in the real world they are faster.
Not a single issue out my Intel. Quite happy with it. I would certainly recommend them.

Yes, the Intel X25M 80GB Gen 2 is what I use and it's been fantastic. And specs on paper don't tell the whole story...these drives are fabulous with random access writes which is what your OS spends most of it's time doing.

Whichever you decide on, you will be quite pleased with a SSD sytem.

Agreed. Never met a single person who regretted their SSD purchase. The only thing I hear from time to time is...I wish that I would have bought this sooner.

 

[profdlp]

I have the exact same drive as pparks1 and I love it too. He speaks the truth.

 

[Petey7]

After reading everything thats been said, I might wait a couple months then buy this:
Newegg.com - OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Or maybe even this:
Newegg.com - OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Right now, with all my files, programs, system restore using all memory I currently allow it, etc I'm using about 40gigs. So either would more or less eliminate my need for a second internal HDD.