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    Need recommendations for Elitebook 8560w upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by RhettM, Sep 16, 2011.

  1. RhettM

    RhettM Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've got a budget of around $200 and am just looking for the fastest and most reliable drive that I can get. I'm hoping for 120gigs but i can settle for less

    thanks in advance
     
    RhettM, Sep 16, 2011
    #1
  2. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    At that price point you can find a good 120ish GB drive certainly. The Intel 320 for Sata 2 will be under that, and for Sata 3 (6Gbp/s) the Crucial M4 128GB is routinely found around the $190 mark. Samsung 470 is a good choice as well for Sata 3. Any of those 3 are good choices, although be wary that there is a yet-to-be-totally-resolved 8MB bug with the Intel 320, but it hasn't affected all that many people. It is something to be aware of though.
     
    madmattd, Sep 16, 2011
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  3. RhettM

    RhettM Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, I'll compare all three when I get back from school

    Another question.. what's the difference between 'SATA' configurations? I've seen it come up alot lately and dont fully understand it. I know that I could probably google it and find an article but if someone could make it convenient for me and summarize it in a reply, I'll gladly give +rep.
     
    RhettM, Sep 16, 2011
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  4. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    SATA 2 =3Gbps/s=~300MB/s max transfer speeds.
    SATA 3 aka SATA 6Gbps =6Gbp/s=~600MB/s transfer speeds, or effectively double.

    Only newer systems have SATA 3 as it only went mainstream in the last year or two, and this year Intel added native SATA 3 to the Sandy Bridge chipsets. If you have a Sandy Bridge machine, you have SATA 3.

    In real-world SSD usage, there is a noticeable difference between the two speeds, but it isn't too significant except on large sequential transfers. Either speed drive will be miles better than a mechanical, but there is little reason right now NOT to get a SATA 3 SSD. Even if your current system can't use the full sequential speeds, you will get the terrific random performance (most important for an OS drive) and when you get a new system, it will be able to run full-out in that one.
     
    madmattd, Sep 16, 2011
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  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Crucial M4 128GB is the top dog around ~$200, especially after firmware 009.
     
    Phil, Sep 17, 2011
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  6. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    Indeed. Surpasses even the Vertex 3 drive in performance.
     
    madmattd, Sep 17, 2011
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