Solved SSD, Which one?

[Britton30]

I'm ready to hit the SSD route and have been looking. The glut of drives available is confusing however. There are MLC, SLC, SATAII, and SATAIII for a few variables. I understand the differences in SATA's but what about the MLC and SLC specs? The SLC drives cost a lot more...quite a lot.

Is there a brand/type preference? I see many Intel, Crucial and OCZ here.

 

[Layback Bear]

My choice is Intel 510 120 GB. Version 3 at 6 gb. SSDSC2MH120A2K5. Reason reliability. One or two mil seconds here or their is no big deal.

 

[pparks1]

Either an Intel or the OCZ Vertex 3.

 

[TVeblen]

MLC (Multi Level Cell) is a memory element (a memory cell) capable of storing more than a single bit of information on the cell.

SLC (Single Level Cell) uses individual memory cells. Traditionally, one bit of data is stored in each cell. SLC memory has the advantage of faster write speeds, lower power consumption and higher cell endurance. However, because it stores less data per cell, it costs more per megabyte of storage to manufacture. Due to faster transfer speeds and longer life, SLC flash technology is used in high-performance SSDs and memory cards.

 

[FredeGail]

I have OCZ and it's working awesome!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

When you look at benchmarks, 4-8 kb random write access is the single most crucial aspect and results in better visible ssd performance.

Having said that, there are situations such as video editing, where one will see the benefit of high sequential benchmarks. A typical user, however, may never come across a reason to concentrate on higher sequential disk access.

 

[Shootist]

I asked a similar question about 2 weeks ago.
Looking at all the drives available from all the manufacturers was quit overwhelming.
Reading the review for some of the drives I was thinking about was not much help either.
They were either 5 stars or 2 stars with either really good comments or total pans.
Didn't give me much confidence in these drives.
One drive maker that always got good review as far as good out of the box, acceptable speeds, and confidence in the longevity of the drive was Intel.
So I bought the Intel 320 model in a 120GB size. That was in my budget and gave me a size that I could transfer all the data that is on my current spinning primary drive with space left over.
So far I am very happy with this drive.
Will I buy another in the future, YES. Bigger, faster and cheaper as prices come down.

I will then move the OS and program data to a newer faster drive and use the 120GB as a secondary drive.
I've still got 3 SATA ports not in use yet on my MB. And if need be I'll install IDE CD/DVD drives and free up another 2 SATA ports.

 

[Britton30]

Thanks to all of you and your opinions! This gives me more to consider and hopefully make an informed decision. Each day that passes 3 more SSD's hit the streets though.

 

[kellymac35]

Don't overlook Mushkin, they make great memory.

 

[Tomrdiedrich]

There is a great article that give you all the dirffrences between them SLC is a bettewr cell and will last alot longer, around 100,000 write cycles. On the other hand MLC will only have about 10,000 write cycles. Check out this article. http://http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/223173-know-your-ssds-slc-vs-mlc.html It is very informative.

 

[Britton30]

Don't overlook Mushkin, they make great memory.

http://http://forum.notebookreview....pgrades/223173-know-your-ssds-slc-vs-mlc.html It is very informative.

Thanks! That article was informative, from 2008, "DVNation sells the Memoright 128Gb SSD for $3399."
WOW!

 

[Tomrdiedrich]

I was meant to answer your question about differences between the two drives. Not as a price list. You asked for information not a price list. Get prices at TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics!!! Glad to help ya!!!WOW!!

 

[Shootist]

I was meant to answer your question about differences between the two drives. Not as a price list. You asked for information not a price list. Get prices at TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics!!! Glad to help ya!!!WOW!!

No he was commenting on the price of SSDs back 3 years ago when that article was written and how much they have come down.

 

[Tomrdiedrich]

Cool. NP. Sarcasm is hard to judge through a PC screen! LOL. My apologies! That was a whole crap load I agree. And to think people paid it!! Sorry for the confusion!

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm quite happy with two Crucial RealSSDs, one 64 GB and the other a 128 GB.

 

[Shootist]

As to this thread being marked as solved.
I haven't read what drive the OP actually bought. Maybe I missed it?

 

[Tomrdiedrich]

A memoright 128Gb for $3399! LMAO

 

[Britton30]

A memoright 128Gb for $3399! LMAO

Uhh, yeah.
Haven't bought any thing yet, I may wait another 3 years for a $75 240GB drive.

 

[Shootist]

A memoright 128Gb for $3399! LMAO

Uhh, yeah.
Haven't bought any thing yet, I may wait another 3 years for a $75 240GB drive.

Yeah I know what you mean. Problem is in 3 years the technology that is used today will have changed raising the price again and todays technology will not be used anymore so no way to buy at a cheap price.

In the last 12 years I have built about 7-10 PC, for myself and others, and they always cost a little over $1000. The speed has increased, but the price hasn't dropped.
And I can't get a 5 year old motherboard or CPU anymore even if that is all the speed I needed.
Just like you can't buy XP anymore.

Really go buy a SSD. Newegg has Crucial 128GB SATA III 6GB drives for $199. Two weeks ago it was more expensive when I bought my Intel 320 120GB drive.

 

[pparks1]

You can always sit around and wait in the computer game or you can spend some money and reap the benefits over the next few years.

With that said, as an owner of an SSD and feeling it was the most noticeable performance upgrade in a while, I can still honestly say that these things are really just a good fit for the enthusiast. They are far from a requirement as far as I am concerned. For my primary home use all purpose desktop at home...sure...I am an enthusiast. For all of my other home machines, no way will I spend the money on them today. My conventional drives are fast enough for most of my computer use.