Best low-budget SSD

I'm looking for a low-priced (<$75) SSD for my Y400. I have a free mSATA slot, and could jury-rig another 2.5" caddy for about $10, so either form factor is acceptable. I would probably use it as a cache, and I'm coming from a 5400rpm HDD, so lifetime and cost are much more important that speed and size. Any recommendations?

Yes, I know that bigger drives are better in every way. They also cost more, so please don't suggest them.

 

The problem with cheap SSD drives is that not only are they inferior in terms of speed, they are generally less reliable as more corners must be cut to meet the price point. The caveats almost defeats whatever advantages you hope to gain by getting an SSD.

If you want reliability, give the Crucial m4 a try. You probably can't afford the 128gb model which is superb but the 64gb model should be acceptable.

 

If cost is much more important than speed and size, you shouldn't be looking at a SSD. Using it as a cache as opposed to a boot drive makes for a very poor use of your money. If you have just a single SSD, you should use it as a boot drive.

 

As you already know that bigger drives are better, I'll skip why you don't want such a small SSD...

If you're thinking to use the SSD as a caching drive; do note that your system needs to be able to handle that (and you also need to be able to install the proper drivers to enable SSD caching too on your platform). Is your system current enough that those needs are met?

The best SSD you can buy with those requirements is an SLC example in the 20GB range (the budget you have set for yourself may be hard to meet though... even for such a small drive). Anandtech has suggested that for caching: even a 240GB SSD is probably inadequate for his uses - 30GB is at the 'throw money away' level... Sure, it will be noticeable for some things - but it will be much less reliable, possibly more unstable and use more power overall than a single HDD in the first place.

See:
ARK | Intel® SSD 311 Series (20GB, mSATA 3Gb/s, 34nm, SLC)



I do have to point out that your wants do not match your needs (or reality) at this point in terms of caching, SSD tech (and prices).

Highly suggest you put that money towards the biggest capacity 7200 RPM HDD you can afford/buy, properly partition and set it up, use the existing HDD as a backup drive (with a cheap $5 enclosure) and enjoy the greatest stability, reliability and dependability going forward.


See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-hitachi-7k500-benchmark-setup-specifics.html


Or simply keep saving your money to allow for a proper SSD 'solution'.

Nothing is making you jump now, is it? (Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should...).



Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

Look out for anything last gen for sale with 120 or 128 gb. samsung 840 and some last gen sandforce probably hit this price point more often.

Lowest I see for 128gb msata (either M4 or m5m) run for 90-95, so you can look out for that too.

 

I would suggest simply looking for an SSD with the lowest price per GB, since many of them have relatively similar performance for everyday consumer usages. I know the Samsung 840 as of now is only 70 cents per GB.