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    Help to choose a SATA II SSD please.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tsukurimashou, Jun 20, 2011.

  1. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi, I will receive my M14x soon and it have issues with SATA III so I will go with a SATA II SSD, I ordered via HIDevolution with a Vertex 2 but they told me it have issues, and then when they replaced it the other drive still had issues, so I asked for a refund and go with the stock drive so I'll buy a SSD later. Can you help me to choose a good SATA II drive? Thanks in advance.
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 20, 2011
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  2. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Maybe an Intel 320 series?
     
    FlipBack, Jun 20, 2011
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  3. Phil

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    Phil, Jun 20, 2011
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  4. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

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    I am old school. I think your best bet is the Intel X25-M. It is as fast as the 320 but uses larger media so should last longer and has a tried and true controller.

    It is more expensive than the 320 and also harder to get however.

    My X25 is bulletproof where I continually have problems with my newer SSDs.
     
    pkincy, Jun 20, 2011
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  5. pukemon

    pukemon are you unplugged?

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    pukemon, Jun 20, 2011
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  6. Phil

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    Agreed, Intel X25-m uses 34nm NAND and is still a very good choice.
     
    Phil, Jun 21, 2011
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  7. EnglishCoder

    EnglishCoder Notebook Geek

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    Does the M14x have issues with SATA III ?
    ... or just have issues with Vertex 3 ?

    I ask, because SATA III SSD's are backward compatible with SATA II, and even SATA I. And, I was thinking that the M4 would be faster than the 320 on a SATA II system.
     
    EnglishCoder, Jun 21, 2011
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  8. sugarkang

    sugarkang Notebook Evangelist

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    It totally depends on what you need the SSD for. If it's a light netbook, then you should lean towards higher random reads. C300, Sandforce. If you need general duty, light workstation type of stuff, then you should get a higher sequential reads, or high marks on Anandtech's storage benches. Or get the drives that Phil mentioned.
     
    sugarkang, Jun 21, 2011
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  9. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    Issues with SATA III, all SATA III SSD and probably HDD.
    And I don't want to pay for a SATA III SSD and get the perf of a SATA II...

    I want fast boot time, fast system, the games load faster ect...
    I looked at the SSD that users recommended in this thread and the Samsung 470 seems interesting from the reviews I read, it's a little pricey (200$ for 120GB) but I think it's worth it.
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 21, 2011
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  10. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    On Google shopping the Samsung 128GB costs $217, the Intel 320 120GB costs $216.

    At those prices I would go with Samsung. It's larger and slightly faster, especially write speeds.
     
    Phil, Jun 21, 2011
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  11. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    And what to you think about the vertex 2 vs samsung 470?
    Because HIDevlution said M14x have issues with it but I'm sure users have M14x + vertex 2 with no issues...
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 21, 2011
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  12. Phil

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    Vertex 2 has 19% failures, Samsung 470 has 2.75% failures on Newegg.com.
     
    Phil, Jun 21, 2011
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  13. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    And for boot time, file copy, games (map loading, textures loading ect...) which one is better?
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 21, 2011
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  14. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    The old Vertex 2 34nm was as fast as the Samsung 470. See here:
    Intel SSD 320 (300GB) Review

    The current one uses 25nm NAND and is slower.

    Samsung 470 is the better choice. Faster, more reliable and larger.

    I'd take the Intel 320 over the Vertex 2.
     
    Phil, Jun 21, 2011
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  15. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok thanks, but what do you mean by larger?
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 21, 2011
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  16. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    128GB vs. 120GB.
     
    Phil, Jun 21, 2011
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  17. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh I see, thanks for your advices, I think I'll go with the Samsung :D
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jun 21, 2011
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  18. aintz

    aintz Notebook Evangelist

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    i dont know much about the samsung controller, but i do know you can never go wrong with intel. and dont buy ssds with sandforce controllers.
     
    aintz, Jun 21, 2011
    #18