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    128 Samsung SSD with SXPS 16 question?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by WhiskeyPetes, Oct 13, 2009.

  1. WhiskeyPetes

    WhiskeyPetes Newbie

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    Hey Guys,
    I am planning on buying my Studio XPS 16 as soon as Win7 comes out and i really want a SSD with it. Unfortunately, Dell only sells the Samsung SSD drive which has been getting so much negative press lately on Anandtech.

    So my question is, what should i do?!?! Do i give up my dream and instead go with a standard Hard drive for now, or take a chance with the Samsung SSD.

    I suppose my other option is to just buy a X-25 intel drive, and install it myself, but i feel very uncomfortable doing that.

    Thanks for the advice in advance.
     
    WhiskeyPetes, Oct 13, 2009
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  2. Bryan505

    Bryan505 Notebook Consultant

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    I think most people who have a Samsung drive are happy with it. Though when I ordered I just picked a regular hard drive with the intention of swapping in an OCZ or Intel drive. On the hardware forum, some people are saying that you'll get a firmware update sometime around the Windows 7 launch to enable TRIM on the samsung drives, so if that's what you're concerned about, it may not be a big deal. But yeah I decided to go with a drive with an Indilinx controller and just avoid any hassle.
     
    Bryan505, Oct 13, 2009
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  3. jeff0078

    jeff0078 Notebook Consultant

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    I read about the Samsung firmware updates, but then the question is are we going to get a drive that can make use of the firmware updates? Sounds like the newer drives will be able to. How old are the drives that Dell is putting in computers being sold today though?
     
    jeff0078, Oct 13, 2009
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  4. TexasEx7

    TexasEx7 Meat Popsicle

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    Its a gamble as to which drive you get- could be old could be new... probably old, just because thats how the flow of materials tends to go.

    I would say just get a platter and buy an OCZ Agility on your own and install it yourself. Whats the dilemma? Its extremely simple to do. You unscrew the back cover, you remove the platter drive, and then pop in the SSD. Its not technical, my little sister can do it. The SXPS 16 manual walks you through how to replace your hard drive, too. After you pop it in, just put the cover back on, insert an OS disc, and start from scratch.
     
    TexasEx7, Oct 13, 2009
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  5. Bryan505

    Bryan505 Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah I went with the Agility. Newegg has a mail-in rebate on it now. You can get a 120GB Agility for $289 after $30 rebate. It's only good for the next couple of days, so if you're thinking that's what you want to do, then go for it. They were out of stock of the Vertex drives, and if the only difference between them is the speed of the flash chips (which really only makes a difference in sequential writes), then I'm perfectly ok spending a lot less for it.

    Oh and it's extremely simple to change the hard drive. It's not like there are wires you have to worry about hooking up correctly. Just one connection.

    Edit: Here's a link to the newegg drive
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227462

    Hmm...looks like they raised the price $10 since yesterday, but the rebate is still valid. So it will end up costing $299 after rebate.
     
    Bryan505, Oct 13, 2009
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  6. nomoredell

    nomoredell Notebook Deity

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    as i understand, 128gb samsung ssd has much lower write/read speed than 256gb samsung. 128gb ssd is not the same model as 256gb samsung.
    im sure there are some benchmarks and reviews for them on this forum.
    or you can find benchys on notebookcheck.net
     
    nomoredell, Oct 13, 2009
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  7. WhiskeyPetes

    WhiskeyPetes Newbie

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    @NoMoreDell,
    I had no idea the samsung 128 vs 256 drives were different. I tried searching for information regarding the performance differences but could not find it. Could you send me a link?

    @Bryan505
    I agree that it would be a great solution to replace the drive myself with an illidix or intel drive. But unfortunately its not the most cost effective option.
    Let me elaborate...
    If i was constructing a computer, and choosing between buying 2 different ssd drives, the 289 i pay for a Illidix drive is tottaly worth it. But in buying the Studio XPS, the cost of a samsung drive is only an additional 125! So in this case, i would have to be willing to pay over double to get the better SSD drive. I'm just not sure im willing to pay that much more! :(

    The best solution here would be to get dell to offer decent SSDs! Since that is an unlikely option, i suppose waiting for benchmarks on the TRIM-enabled Samsung drives (hopefully released concurrently with Win7) is a reasonable next step to take.

    Thanks for all the feedback so far.
    WhiskeyPetes
     
    WhiskeyPetes, Oct 14, 2009
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