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    Best 7mm SATA III SSD...

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by m11xx, Apr 16, 2011.

  1. m11xx

    m11xx Notebook Guru

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    Hi there,

    I'm looking for a SATA III SSD which can be no thicker than 7mm..

    I was going for the OCZ Vertex 3 but unfortunately it's 9.3mm..

    Right now I only know about the Intel 320 SSD which is 7mm but it's only SATA II :(

    Any suggestions on a SSD which is max. 7mm and supports SATA III?

    Thanks!
     
    m11xx, Apr 16, 2011
    #1
  2. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

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    Not many choices yet for SATA III. Crucial C300, Intel 510 and OCZ Vertex 3.

    I have a C300 and it is 9.5 mm, you have checked the OCZ and it is 9.3.

    Best check the 510 now.
     
    pkincy, Apr 16, 2011
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  3. m11xx

    m11xx Notebook Guru

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    The Intel 510 is 9.3mm as well :(
     
    m11xx, Apr 16, 2011
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  4. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Why do you even want SATA/600, random R/W speeds haven't even exceeded SATA/150 speeds. The interface itself makes no difference in any day to day tasks since typical users do not utilize much sequential speeds (the marketed speeds). The SATA/300 Intel 320 still outperforms majority of drives since it has one of the fastest random write speeds even compared to any of the SATA/600 drives and fits your 7mm thickness.
     
    sgogeta4, Apr 16, 2011
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  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Intel 320's real world performance isn't very impressive imo. Look at the real world performance in these reviews:
    OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SSD Review > Benchmarks: Real-World Applications - TechSpot Reviews
    Intel SSD 320 (300GB) Review - A Review of the Intel SSD 320 (300GB)

    There's a good chance X25m of the same size will outperform the Intel 320 in read jobs. The X25m basically uses the same controller with faster 34nm NAND.

    4K write important? The only time I'm waiting for write performance is when I'm installing programs. For me read performance is much more important.

    But it's an over simplification to think that 4K random read is a good way of predicting real world performance. Look at Samsung 470. Relatively low 4K random reads, very good real world performance.

    How about a 1.8" version of the Crucial C300? It's 5mm high.
     
    Phil, Apr 17, 2011
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  6. vasra

    vasra Notebook Enthusiast

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    vasra, Jun 2, 2011
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  7. skoolbus

    skoolbus Newbie

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    Hello,

    Not sure if this is too late, i ran into this issue myself after i hadn't researched the drive thickness (because that seemed pretty strange to have to do..) and OCZ allowed me to RMA my vertex 3 for a 7MM version that they haven't been selling retail. Not kidding. If you want a vertex 3, you can have one in the proper size if you don't mind waiting. When i get the RMA back (still shipping) I will let you know the model #
     
    skoolbus, Jul 16, 2011
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  8. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Rather get the Intel 320 than any OCZ product...
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 16, 2011
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  9. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I would not buy Intel 320 unless there's new firmware.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2011
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  10. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe there is a thread over in the Lenovo section on "Best Drive for X220" which is about 50 pages long. And the X220 requires a 7 mm drive.

    The best choices are the drives that have an integral spacer to get them up from 7 mm to 9.5 mm. Remove the spacer, insert shorter screws and you are golden. The thread will link to sources for the screws.

    I recall that both Crucials will work. One will void the warranty however (the C300) and the M4 won't (simply because of the placement of the warranty seal which doesn't break when its spacer comes off.)

    On the Intel drives there has been mixed advice from Intel itself as to whether the spacer removal will void the warranty. I do recall their is a comment from a Intel engineer that it won't but the CSR folks are saying it will.
     
    pkincy, Jul 19, 2011
    #10