2.5 SATA to 2xMSATA adapter

I've noticed this very interesting adapter on ebay. Since msata SSDs are same max capacity and usually cheaper than sata ones, why not put two msata SSDs with an adapter instead of one sata SSD? The main goal is capacity, I understand that performance will be worse (but still enough, guess). What do you think? Anyone tried it yet?

 

I haven't found mSATA SSD's to be cheaper than 2.5" SSD's - and the 2.5" versions (of the models I'm interested in) are usually bigger too.

My opinion? If you're doing this for capacity, you're doing this wrong (a HDD is a much better deal).

I have always found that when I build a frankenbuild setup, I get much less use out of the system vs. constantly having to tweak it and/or keep it running at a certain level.


At $50, that is not cheap (with two mSATA drives worth considering). An ebay product? Not worth considering at all (at least for an 'only' system that you will need/depend on for the next few years).

 

It may seem like a good deal if you can find cheap mSATA SSDs, but there is a big drawback to this adapter - the RAID controller!

AFAIK, these cheap JMicron (and similar SiliconImage) controllers have performance issues (I believe the 5 year old JMB390 is limited to ~200 MB/s sequential, which is rather low for today's SSDs), issues with TRIM and most importantly, reliability issues - under heavy use they fail pretty quickly.

 

I agree with this, however, I'm having temperature issues* with all HDDs i tried to put in internal bay thus have to consider SSD, and kinda afraid that the only notebook 2TB HDD on the market (Seagate M9T) will be getting too hot as well . So I thought it might be not so stupid to buy a cheap little SSD now (together this adapter) and add a bigger SSD, once the prices on them become reasonable.

Now that's a comment I expected! Thanks a lot, won't even try this device, at least until better ones are out.

* In internal notebook's bay I got the following max temps, according to SMART (max operating temps, according to datasheet)
ST750LX003 - 59C (60C) - is feeling quite comfortable in optibay
ST1000LM014 - 58C (60C) - was bought to replace LM024, but is getting too hot
ST1000LM024 - 54C (55C) - was moved to external bay due to high temperatures
Just in case, the system is rock stable, CPU is undervolted ( can't undervolt new GPU, sadly), cleaned requrarly. It does get really hot, but not critical. Considering cooling mod, but not sure it will have much effect on HDD temp.

 

Hitachis tend to run cooler. Also if you drop your overall temp inside, it would benefit the HDD as well.

 

I too recommend Hitachi's over any other HDD.

What notebook is this? Those temps are way too hot for any storage subsystem device (and don't think SSD's don't get warm/hot either).


See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...-new-msata-ssd-get-quite-hot.html#post9604297

 

I know, however, not sure how exactly will I mod it.

The one in my signature. These are max temps, and I do not known under which circumstances the drives got that hot. However, LM014 which is currently in standard place is always between 50C and 55C. When it's used with cooling pad temps are OK, however, I use it solely at home.

I'd go for the coolest one.

 

Over a year passed, I solved heat problems by switching to another notebook. However I'm still interested in using mSATA SSDs over 2.5" SATA, because they cost pretty much the same and you can add them instead of replacing. There's a newer adapter available, Sintech PA-2MS2SA. As far as I understand, it is based on JMS562 (or something very similar), and should be way better than JMB390. I also really like the possibility of connecting via USB without any adapters. Any feedback on it?

 

Quoting myself:

From this thread.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...sd-and-replacing-with-500gb-ssd.776470/page-2


mSATA SSD's are not at the same (real world performance) level as 2.5" SSD's with more than 8 Controller Channels over time, ime.

Your call, but if performance and dependability is what you're after, I think an mSATA solution is a 'miss'.

Good luck.