Best SSD for about $200 or less, black friday?

Edit - Original thread title was looking for SSDs for under $200. /edit

I am looking to order a Sager NP8275 in about a week. I would like to see the best SSD deals before I order, so I know if I should get the computer with a built in SSD or not. I am concerned about longevity and future compatibility, as I would like to be able to use the drive for a long term.

I figure for performance and space, 256GB would be a minimum. Unless there is a great deal on a 128GB drive.

I plan to order within the next two weeks, so any one know about black friday deals?

Thanks

 

There is no reason to use the laptop manufacturer's SSD upgrade. Almost all SSDs you purchase aftermarket would be cheaper.

Currently, Samsung, Intel and Crucial all sell SSDs for around $180 with the Crucial being at $150. I doubt the price would be significantly lower but who knows? There's no way to tell what deals would be available until Black Friday is upon us. In that case, why not just wait? You won't really lose anything.

 

Unless Sager includes a huge discount on a SSD for Black Friday it will be hard to beat retail.

This deal ends today Intel 530 240GB $150. Without knowing much about the 530 yet, similar to the 520 one review says (AnandTech), this is a good deal.
Amazon.com: Intel 530 Series 240GB 2.5-Inch Internal Solid State Drive (Reseller Kit) SSDSC2BW240A4K5: Computers & Accessories

I, personally, wouldn't go smaller than 240-256GB in 20nm NAND. Writes will suffer. For the Crucial M500 20NM NAND, I wouldn't go smaller than 480 but it is around $310. Not in your $200 range but a real bargain. There aren't many (any?) reviews of the 530 120GB

I'm starting to read "buy the next size up from what you plan to use" on review sites now. They are starting to move away from the empty drive benchmarks and going to "performance consistency" and "steady state" performance. And that's good news for the average consumer that wants a more realistic idea of how a SSD might really perform for them..

 

Maybe this will help someone choose the right size drive: Added to the end of: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...ly-secureerase-oem-ssd-drive.html#post9446848
OS partition sizes for the following drive capacities, reserving >30% for (OP, over-provision), i.e., unallocated space for SSD controller to use.
Round "down" advantage given to the (OP) space always! System partitions factored in at average 500MB's.
Multiple SSD's: each will need their own OP space independently.

Mfr. Drive capacity: MB to GB as realized usable file space, including Windows OS share, after reserving >30% for OP.

120GB: 78,848 MB = 77 GB
128GB: 83,968 MB = 82GB
240GB: 158,720 MB = 155 GB
250GB: 165,888 MB = 162 GB
256GB: 169,984 MB = 166 GB
480GB: 319,488 MB = 312 GB
500GB: 332,800 MB = 325 GB
512GB: 340,992 MB = 333 GB
750GB: 499,712 MB = 488 GB
1000GB: 666,624 MB = 651 GB

1TB (OP) Calculation example (WinCALC, Scientific mode)
1000 / cube(1.024)
931.322574615478515625 * 0.3 {Unallocated space}
279.3967723846435546875 + 0.5 {System partition(s)}
279.8967723846435546875 - 931.322574615478515625 {Realized usable file space, including Windows OS share}
Int(negate(-651.4258022308349609375)) * 1024 {Strip negative, strip decimal, convert GB's to MB's}
666624 / 1024

651GB

666,624 MB = 651 GB (Realized usable file space, including Windows OS share, after reserving >30% for OP)

 

NewEgg has a 240GB version of Crucial M500 for $149.99 and I'm reasonably certain that the price might go down further around Black Friday...

Newegg.com - Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT240M500SSD1

That would be my likely pick if I were shopping for a new SSD of that size nowadays, but I'm not...

 

That price may be tempting, but even at $0.99 I would not pick that controller/capacity combination...

 

Good for you.

I've deployed hundreds of Crucial/Micron SSDs without a single failure.

While I haven't tested the M500 myself yet, I'm looking forward to doing so...

 

Bullrun also said he wouldn't go below 480 for the M500. The Intel 530 at $150 is tempting. Hmm.

 

The "problem" with the 240GB M500 is architectural and results in a loss of parallelism. The M500 20nm NAND uses 128Gbit (16GB) NAND dies. Others, Intel for one, use 64Gbit (8GB) NAND dies, The M500 240GB has 16 NAND packages but 1 die per package. Intel 530 240GB has 16 NAND packages 2 die per package (more parallelism).

The 120GB has 8 NAND packages with 1 die, lower performance still.

The 480GB M500 has 2 die per package again more parallelism. The 960GB 4 die per package.

HARDOCP - Specifications - Crucial M500 480GB SSD Review

To be sure, it's not a question of Crucial's reliability but the big performance hit in the 120GB and 240GB sizes.

Crucial M500 240GB SSD Review | TweakTown

Crucial M500 120GB SSD Review | TweakTown

 

Ah, that makes sense. So the Intel should have performance like a drive the next step up. Bigger size usually means more parallelism. I am reading the anandtech review in the Intel 530 right now. Not sure if a better deal will come along, or I should grab the bird in the hand.

Thanks Bullrun, I always respect your SSD knowledge.

 

Either now or after the holidays if there is any inventory glut from mixed demand. Though Intel's popular.

 

Seems the Intel has a issue with some bios and they are working on a firmware fix. See this thread, and specifically the last post on this page. https://communities.intel.com/thread/44258?start=60&tstart=0

 

I did not get the Intel 530, as the warm boot issue was a concern as well as, benchmark results, older sandforce, and I don't like rushed decisions.

 

Rushed decisions, I'm with you on that. I want to know more about the 530 as only AnandTech has reviewed it among my preferred review sites.

The warm boot should be fine on the new Sager (they're selling it). It was a new tech, unsupported BIOS issue. Thanks for the link, ajnindlo.

 

maybe its better you jump into the 840pro/plextor m5pro/OCZ vector, the kind-of-known-to-be-good drives, though it won't hurt getting an 830 or m4, since its for consumer usage, when is it that we really see those speed coming

 

Known to good sounds good to me. As long as the price is right. The new 20nm drives might have longevity issues or speed issues as 20nm is a little slower as I understand it.

 

Maybe next week we will start seeing, or will know what the black friday and cyber monday deals will be.

 

I saw Amazon had the Intel 530 240GB for $139 today as a lightening sale, and it looks like it will be on sale again later today. I am still not sure if I should jump on it. Thoughts? Better deals?

 

That's called getting caught in a price whipsaw!

Holding out for an exact bottom?

You're not alone; I check everyday at Amazon for Samsung and let $5.00 get between me and my new SSD.

I do this not so much for savings, but more that the other computer needs a new image that I've been postponing.

 

i'm also waiting for a Samsung 840 or 840 Pro to go on sale again.

it's about time my laptop got a little upgrade. would i need to buy any kind of "installation kits" or trays to make it work? or will it just be plug and play? i don't mind reinstalling a fresh Win7, so i won't need any OS clones.

 

Try sticking to Pro. A much better drive, and definitely worth the extra $$ in my book.

Nope. Plug, play and enjoy.

 

Go PRO; you won't regret it

Out of the box it's laptop ready. Calculate out the OP before partitioning and reimaging.
Afterwards go to the website and get the latest Magician software: Support - Solid State Drives MZ-7PD256 | Samsung Memory & Storage
Choose the performance optimization.

EDIT, Forgot: Before you hit that optimize button, load all the drivers on first. They tend to reset things when installing.

 

It is not the price on the Intel 530 that holds me back. Just not sure it is the best drive. It is 20nm, older sandforce controller that slows with compressed data, and the performance is questionable since OP didn't seem to help. It is too new to be sure about it.

Now if someones sees a Samsung Pro on sale...

 

How low can they go, 200 flat for a 256 would be encouraging enough for me to move on it.

 

What size of a Samsung EVO SSD would you guys recommend for me - 250gb or 500gb? This would be the only drive on my new laptop, and I currently have around 100gb of data I want to copy over. Based on rcb.to.ca's numbers, the ~160gb of effective operating space on the 250gb SSD would be sufficient for me. Would the extra ~160gb of room on the 500gb version be worth the extra $120-150 in price? I plan on using the drive for at least three, up to five years.

 

The 500GB and up EVO's look to be the better performers, but if you aren't going to need the space then probably too much to expend.

How about a 256GB PRO MLC with a 5 year warranty? it's about $50 higher with 2 years longer warranty plus 4GB more realized space and better performance characteristics than the 250GB EVO; If you kept that OP space at 30% - it will pretty much satisfy your requirements for many years and then some.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7173/...w-120gb-250gb-500gb-750gb-1tb-models-tested/4

 

How much multitasking do you do? If you do a lot, you should read the thread about the 1TB EVO to get a real world user experience and reconsider.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/solid-state-drives-ssds-flash-storage/736807-my-1tb-evo-very-slow-compared-my-corsair-performance-pro-256gb-why.html

TLC is TLC and once you get past the small SLC cache (largest on the 1TB model) it slows down. Multitasking builds queue depth and TLC doesn't scale well as the queue depth rises. This link shows 840 TLC not EVO TLC Steady State performance. EVO hasn't been tested yet. The last graph shows the mix of reads/writes.
HARDOCP - Iometer & Steady State Testing - Samsung 840 Series 500GB TLC SSD Review

If your usage is very light, It should be fine.

 

You are right, it's too new to be sure about. I want Steady State Read/Write Mix results to be sure. But using the 20nm 335 numbers, the supposed value drive and more expensive at the moment, the numbers are good.
HARDOCP - Iometer & Steady State Testing - Intel 335 Series 240 GB SSD Review

The drive that I would be looking for a sale on at 240-256GB would be the Sandisk Extreme II.

HARDOCP - Iometer & Steady State Testing - SanDisk 240 GB Extreme II SSD Review

 

What is the best price you have seen on the 240GB SanDisk Extreme II?

 

The lowest was $190, according to camelizer, on Amazon.

 

Right now it is $210 on Amazon...

 

amazon price matches and also has an excellent return policy, not of that 20th century restocking fee or replacement only policy you find on most online sites, if you buy an SSD now, and it is cheaper a few days later, they will price match for you, not 100% certain if it applies to all items and all instances, i would double check with someone from amazon, but it is something to consider. just something to consider when shopping this year.

i know they did this for my kingston 120gb, it was $90 dollars the day I purchased it and $80 the following day, they price matched it for me after without any issues, but I am in the same boat as you now, going to pick up a larger capacity since I need another one now.

 

Newegg has it as an Iron Egg product. They will match an advertised price within 14 gays of purchase. Payoff with a Newegg gift card.

Rakuten (buy.com) had it at $180 two weeks ago. The next question then would be value. Is the Extreme II worth $40-$70 more with what's known about the 530?

The 520 never got close to the 530 price. That's the payoff from the move to 20nm.

One drive to watch, even though it's not in your $200 range, is the 480GB M500. It's currently about $305. A big sale might be too good to pass up. It's steady state mixed numbers are slightly better than the Extreme II. The big drawback of the M500 is power draw if battery life is very important in your usage.

 

i think i'm just gonna go ahead and order the 256GB Samsung 840 Pro off Amazon. u guys think there will be any sales on it coming up within the next few days?

 

I'm not very good at predicting price swings or sales.

Over the last two weeks it's dropped to a low of 204.99; Normal price is 229.99

All year long it's dropped to 219.99 and 214.99 for a couple days then back up to normal.

Right now it's 212.99

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: Uh, that's for a 256GB Pro. Sorry, I'm a little self-centered right now about my own needs.

 

250GB 2.5-inch SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit MZ-7TE250BW | Samsung 840 EVO

$189.99

cheapest evo i have seen.

 

Lol, are you kidding me? Even Amazon is lower than that by a significant amount; it frequently goes for $150.

 

Samsung 840 EVO Series 250GB 2 5" SATA III Internal Solid State Drive | eBay

250gb samsung evo $140

 

If Intel is your thing, this is available for 20 bucks more.

 

Samsung 840 EVO 250GB for $170:

Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW: Computers & Accessories

 

Micro Center has the Intel 530 240GB at $150. Samsung EVO 250GB also $170 (same as JDre's)
http://www.microcenter.com/product/418182/530_Series_SSDSC2BW240A4K5_240GB_SATA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_%28SSD%29

Rakuten(buy.com) has the Sandisk Extreme II 240GB at $180
Rakuten.com - SanDisk Extreme II 240GB SATA III Solid State Drive (SSD)

Amazon will have an Intel 530 at 10:40pm EST, don't know size or price yet.

Superbiiz has the Crucial M500 960GB at $490 with coupon code (on page).
CT960M500SSD1 Crucial M500 2.5 inch 960GB SATA3 Internal Solid State Drive (MLC) - SSD Solid State Drives - SuperBiiz.com

ebay Crucial M500 480GB at $285
Crucial CT480M500SSD1 480GB SSD Brand New SEALED 649528764195 | eBay

 

Do you happen to know off the top of your head if Sandisk and Crucial have hardware encryption built in.

I know Samsung 840 AES 256 and Intel 530 AES 256 and Plextor AES 256.

Oops, corrected Intel, it's 256, they bumped it up.

-------------------------

Edit: Finally found it, Crucial M500 is AES 256.

I can't find anything about Sandisk on the website having hardware encryption.

 

Off the top of my head, Sandisk no, Crucial yes. but I don't trust that.

Quick check
Sandisk 0 AES
Crucial 256 AES and then some.
AnandTech | The Crucial/Micron M500 Review (960GB, 480GB, 240GB, 120GB)

 

Intel 530 series: Warranty 5Y | AES 256

Samsung 840 series: Warranty 5Y | AES 256

Crucial M500 series: Warranty 3Y | AES 256: TCG Opal 2.0 and IEEE-1667 compliant, Compatibly: Microsoft's eDrive standard, W8 BitLocker.

Plextor M5Pro series: AES 256

Sandisk Extreme II series: Warranty 5Y | Encryption Disabled

Corsair Neutron GTX series GTX: Encryption None

Kingston 3K Enthusiast: Warranty 3Y | Encryption None - this model.

 

Sandisk Extreme II doesn't have it by choice.

AnandTech | SanDisk Extreme II Review (480GB, 240GB, 120GB)

Crucial has more than AES 256 from the link in my last post.

 

I'm getting there, slowly though, it takes a while to sink in.
Feel free to copy the post into a new post and add to it.
I updated it a little, and with your added info.


Hardware Data Encryption - The Crucial M500 SSD offers top-level hardware-based encryption, enabling enhanced data security. Our AES 256-bit hardware encryption engine and TCG Opal 2.0 compliant firmware allow the drive to operate at full speed without the performance loss that's typically found in drives that use software-based encryption technology.

 

EDIT: even lower in next post
One other awesome deal, Adorama has the Sandisk Extreme II 480GB $300
Amazon is almost $28 higher and on sale, sold by Circuit City. Amazon's own price is $400. Amazon also has the Adorama third party price but $50 shipping ?
SanDisk Extreme II 480GB Solid State Drive (SSD) SDSSDXP-480G-G25

Amazon matched the 240GB $180
Amazon.com: SanDisk Extreme II 240 GB SATA 6.0 Gbs 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SDSSDXP-240G-G25: Computers & Accessories
Adorama (also the Rakuten deal) $180
SanDisk Extreme II 240GB Solid State Drive (SSD) SDSSDXP-240G-G25

 

Some better deals and some meh

Newegg comes on strong 960GB M500 $450 for two hours! 8-10am PT
Newegg.com - Crucial M500 960GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT960M500SSD1

The M500 for $280 Newegg and Amazon
Newegg.com - Crucial M500 480GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT480M500SSD1
Amazon.com: Crucial M500 480GB SATA 2.5-Inch 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT480M500SSD1: Computers & Accessories

EDIT cheaper in next post.
Amazon Intel 530 240GB for $150 77% claimed at this time.
Amazon.com: Intel 530 Series 240GB 2.5-Inch Internal Solid State Drive (Reseller Kit) SSDSC2BW240A4K5: Computers & Accessories

Newegg Intel 530 180GB for $110
Newegg.com - Intel 530 Series SSDSC2BW180A4K5 2.5" 180GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Newegg and Tiger Direct Seagate 600 240GB for $130
Newegg.com - Seagate 600 Series ST240HM000 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Seagate 600 Series 240GB SSD - 2.5 Form Factor, SATA III 6Gb/s, Up To 500 MB/s Read Speed, Up To 400 MB/s Write Speed, 7mm z-Height (ST240HM000) at TigerDirect.com

Newegg and Amazon EVO 250 for $160
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE250BW 2.5" 250GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW: Computers & Accessories

Tiger Direct Sandisk Extreme II 480GB $290
SanDisk Extreme II 480GB Solid State Drive - SATA III Gb/s, Up To 545 MB/s Read Speed, Up To 500 MB/s Write Speed, Quiet (SDSSDXP-480G-G25) at TigerDirect.com

Newegg EVO 500GB $300
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE500BW 2.5" 500GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Newegg 840 Pro 256GB $210
SAMSUNG MZ-7PD256BW - Newegg.com

 

Even lower, Tiger Direct has the Intel 530 240GB for $140 (with coupon on page)
Intel 530 Series 240 GB Internal SSD - 2.5, SATA-600 (SSDSC2BW240A4K5) at TigerDirect.com

 

I am thinking of doing this one. Any idea how long the deal lasts?