SSD

[Submarine]

Going to install W7 on a SSD. Of course I want latest tech with Trim. Identified Intel's X25-M G2, 160 BG, as a candidate. Right choice, you think? Alternatives? Pros and cons?

 

[pparks1]

The Intel drives are great. While they don't have the sustained sequential write speeds of some of the other drives, their random I/O is better with lower times. And your OS does a lot more random I/O than sequential I/O. Therefore, when benchmarked the Intel drives usually score higher in real world scenarios.

 

[Submarine]

Thanks a lot!

This is going real fast. I am now ready to order and install.

 

[mdloops]

Intel all the way. Like mentioned above the intel scores higher in almost every review when it comes to real world performance. Many other SSDs are too focused on seqential operations because uninformed buyers are more likely to buy based on the sequential specs. However, sequential reads and writes are far less important in the real world as random read/write performance dictates your computing experience. Order it and it will transform your computing experience.

 

[Submarine]

Thanks, then I am on the right track. One thing suddenly hit me, I must make sure I can install an additional disk outside of my Raid setup. Anybody knows if this is a problem; will I find the machine trying to fit into the Raid array? I have hardware Raid (nVidia).

 

[nate42nd]

I must disagree. Intel IS a fine way to go, however. The new SandForce controllers ARE competing and some say are as good or BETTER. Look into this....read this article. There are big strides being made right now in SSDs

I have talked to Patriot and they are coming out with these SandForce drives soon! Also OCZ.

The Indilinx controllers WERE the best besides intel....now they are done and SandForce is taking over that spot. They could be better.

it’s the first drive I’ve seen that’s actually better than Intel’s X25-M G2.

AnandTech: OCZ's Vertex 2 Pro Preview: The Fastest MLC SSD We've Ever Tested

Pparks1....if you have not read this, please do. It's informative.

 

[pparks1]

Already read that article. Got 2 buddies at work and we all use the Intel drive at the current time. So, with 3 SSD fans we usually do quite a bit of reading on the technology and such. We were particular interested in the way the new controller writes less actual data to the drive during installs and such. Pretty clever.

I didn't recommend this new OCZ drive because it's not available yet, and I'm unsure if there will be a version in his price range at the capacities he is looking for. While it may prove faster, I don't think anybody going Intel right now would really be complaining about their purchase.

While some argue waiting for the next best thing, I usually recommend what's currently available now. With computers, if you wait...you could be waiting a long time as there is always something neat and spiffy right around the corner.

 

[nate42nd]

Good point pparks1, I just want everybody to know there is new tech coming. You are right to recommend Intel.

I have had 3 Patriot Indilinx drives and they are great! I can see someone who is new having a hard time keeping up with the new stuff.

Thanks for everything. I hope we can keep each other up to speed. Feel free to forward me ANY good SSD articles you find. All I want is the best for the $$

 

[pparks1]

Yeah, it can be a challenge to keep up. And it's funny how much performance people will want to wait for as well.

For example, SSD's are getting to the point where they are affordable enough that performance enthusiasts do consider going to them. But I love when i hear a standard mechanical drive person who says, "I'm waiting for them to drop in price so I can set up 2 of them in a RAID0 array". As if the only way they were going to see any performance gain was going for a RAID array. Just a single SSD will absolutely demolish a mechanical drives and would be a massive boost in performance....I cannot see sitting idly by while waiting to get 2 of them to make it even better.

 

[nate42nd]

Yea, I am hearing this "I want two for RAID0" stuff too.

I tell everybody I know that ONE SSD is the single greatest upgrade you can do to your PC

You can't go back after using one. (only one) You can't really say that about other components.

It won't be long until everybody knows the feeling of having stuff happen almost instantly.

 

[pparks1]

You can't go back after using one. (only one) You can't really say that about other components.

I don't know.....while I have an SSD at home on my desktop machine and I do love it...I work on a standard desktop with a WD Caviar Blue 500GB drive on it and I don't actually feel I have to upgrade it to an SSD. I'm not saying I regret my purchase for home....but in day to day tasks...I don't feel that I have to have it either.