Intel 520 vs Crucial M4 (240GB/256GB) and Intel Quick Start

Hey guys, I'm buying a new laptop soon and would like some input on which SSD to purchase - the 256GB Crucial M4 or the 240GB Intel 520.

Crucial M4 - seems to be reliable and pretty mature
Intel 520 - seems to have better benchmarks and longer warranty, also a big name

Any suggestions?

Also, how would I go about implementing Intel Quick Start Technology on my rig? Or is it even necessary?

 

Isn't Samsung 840 Pro a choice among your options??

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No. Those are the only two choices :/ otherwise I might have gone with that. Buying from XoticPC. Anybody happen to know if I can send an SSD to them to put in there?

 

Unless you're looking at a special or some pre-configured setup, Xotic usually allows a wider range of drive selection. Try sending a PM to "Derek@XoticPC" if that applies to you.

 

Even if the Samsung 840 Pro was in the list of possibilities, I would still be choosing the Intel 520 Series 240GB option (no other capacity is worth buying atm).

This is for the fastest (real world) usage performance possible. Especially if you over-provision one with at least 30% left as 'unallocated' from the first use.

If you're saving money with the Crucial M4 (also a great drive, btw) then the savings would have to be pretty 'dramatic' to setup down (performance-wise) to the 256GB M4.

If however you need more than 240/256GB capacity - the only SSD to consider at this point would be the 512GB M4. It's performance actually increases instead of taking a dive compared to SF based drives (Even the Intel 520 Series).


If you can wait a couple of weeks or so... I would be waiting for the M4's successor: the M500 to arrive at up to 960GB capacity for less than $600 (or hopefully 480GB capacity for less than $300) and with a substantial performance boost over the M4).


Why am I not recommending the Samsung 840 Pro? Because of it's highly inconsistent (performance-wise) nature. Sure, with 25% over-provisioning it too becomes acceptable - but I would rather have an SSD controller that is taking consistency into account from the word go (and Intel has the best consumer drives on this front) - rather than trying to patch a problem and get possibly variable real world results in the end anyways.


See:
AnandTech - Micron/Crucial Announces M500 SSD Line of SSDs


See:
AnandTech - Corsair Neutron & Neutron GTX: All Capacities Tested


See:
AnandTech - Plextor Updates The Firmware on M5 Pro: Promises Increased Performance, We Test It


See:
AnandTech - Exploring the Relationship Between Spare Area and Performance Consistency in Modern SSDs






Hope this helps.


Good luck.

 

Wow, that really does help, thank you! Does anybody know of an official release date for the m500?
But even if I were able to get my hands on one, I've been told by XoticPC that they can't place any other SSD in the NP9150 than the ones they already offer

Also, what about Intel Quick Start? Is it worth it? Haven't heard anything about that

 

Forget about Intel Quick Start (cache-based 'magic').

Simply order your XoticPC with a HDD for now.

When you receive it: maximize the RAM (highest capacity SoDIMM's at the highest MHz rating for the least $$$). Buy the SSD you want and install Win8x64 PRO (clean install) on it.

Then, enjoy.



February is the estimated M500's debut - but no official date has been set.




Good luck.

 

Hmm that's a good point..
Also, the PC comes with a 750GB 7200RPM HDD, but you can upgrade it to the Intel 520 SSD for $215. But you don't get to keep the 750GB HDD... Where's that money going?! I can get one of those Intels for that price by itself and pocket the HDD!

 

clanderson; now you're getting it!