SSD for me?

I have a latitude e6400 coming and need a SSD for it. I'd like larger than 128 but if that is all I can afford, that is fine. Will this one be good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139005? Please don't direct me to the near 600 page thread as it is not humanly possible to get help or concise, accurate information from something that disorganized. Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

When I clicked on the link, it just took me to a list of Kingston memory products.

What I get from the 20,000 post thread is that 3 options are generally best. The Intel X25-M, SSDs with Indilinx controller (like OCZ Vertex) and SSDs with the new(er) Samsung controller, like OCZ Summit. I'd focus on those.

Some of the expensive Kingston drives (s-series?) are rebranded Intels. I'd skip them, though. I'm not sure they're using the 2nd-generation X25-M, which is what you'd want if you go the Intel route.

Others with more expertise can probably help you more...

 

Intel X-25M G2, or any Indilinx based. The Samsung's, while still seemingly stutter free, are not very good for IOPS on random writes. Not sure how that will translate to performance for what you do.
I'd avoid the Kingston's for now, the M or E series are rebadged Intel first gen's, and the V series are ok but not as high performing as the Indilinx. Unless you get them for much less than an Indilinx based SSD (OCZ Vertex, Supertalent ME, Patriot Torqx, G.Skill Falcon), I'd not bother. I'm satisified with mine but I got it for much less than the Indilinx-based so that was my reason.

 

What is your budget? Do you have any other specific requirements other than 128+GB? If you want performance, the 160GB Intel Gen2 is the way to go, if you want capacity and best bang-for-you-buck, the Samsung P256 (Gen 2, same as Corsair P, OCZ Summit, etc.) would be your best bet, sold by Dell. The price for the two above drives are similar, the Intel being $440 and the Samsung $480. The Samsung drive will be faster than any HDD or Jmicron SSD, but a bit slower than the Intel and Indilinx based drives (but at a much better price).

 

Thanks for the advice. I don't see a 128 Intel on Dells site and the 64gb SSD is $900 in their Intel category. I also don't see any Samsung's at all. I was looking to spend under $400 but if it is from Dell I can finance it. What do you guys think? Does anyone have links?

 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=341-9999

that is supposed to be a rebranded samsung SSD which runs at around 200mb/s. Even thous the it doesnt have high random read/writes like the intel, it is still a great all around ssd for the money. No stuttering and it has the lowest power usage of any ssd. However, it is backordered two weeks or something like that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233087

this is also a rebranded samsung ssd. same characteristics like I mentioned above.


If you really want a top end ssd. Intel is the way to go. Make sure you have generation 2 like this one:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010793&prodlist=froogle

i know it is out of stock at that store but look around just make sure it is generation 2. If you cant afford that one the 80gb Intel is 230ish.

gl

 

You could have just asked the question in the oh so horrible 600 page thread and gotten an answer just as easily.

 

Is there a difference in Serial ATA and Serial ATA 2?

 

I'll get the answer started. SATA I won't provide enough throughput to take advantage of the incredible sequential read/write speeds of a good SSD.

My followup question. What, exactly, is the real-life throughput of a SATA I drive? I take it SATA 150 corresponds to 150 MB/s, but for whatever reason (overhead?) actual transfer speeds are significantly lower. I'm just curious to get a ballpark figure re: how much lower.

 

it can transfer 150MB/s of data, but not all of that data is actual data. some of it is control-info (what data should get received, etc).

 

So why is everyone selling SATA1 drives if they don't have benefit?

 

for ordinary hdds, there is no difference, they're just too slow. ssds are mostly sata2 drives.

 

Huh? But there are SATA1 SSD drives?

 

Thanks, that makes perfect sense.

So is it realistic to expect that control info will comprise no more than, say, 10-15% of that 150MB/s throughput?

 

Older SSD's I guess didn't exceed Sata 1 speeds like mine (see sig) so one didn't need sata2 compatible boards to function.

 

So then really the drive that was recommended wasn't worth it from Dell?

 

The Dell E6400 supports SATA/300, so you will be fine.

 

So I should or shouldnt pay for sata2?

 

I would. If I'm going to pay $2.50-3.00 per GB storage, I want top performance in return. Otherwise, you can get spinning hard drives that perform reasonably well.

 

If you want ultimate performance and have ~$440, then go for the Intel Gen2 160GB SSD. If you'd rather have more space for that amount and sacrifice some speed, go for Dell's (Samsung) 256GB drive for ~$480. If that price is higher than your budget, consider OCZ Vertex 120GB (128GB) for ~$290.

 

Anywhere I can get that Intel drive that isn't sold out? Howcome it is listed as 160gb? Doesn't SSD have to be multiples of 16?

Also it seems as all the other retailers are <$500, some are in $600-$700 range for that thing. What is one performance level down from that?

 

You have to wait 2 weeks for the Intel since it was recalled to update the firmware. Some people who had BIOS HDD passwords had issues with the SSD. SSDs can be in any number they want, it doesn't need to be a specific multiple. The Gen 2 drives should all be <$500 and will perform better than their Gen 1 ($600+) counterparts. One step down in terms of cost/GB would be any Indilinx or Samsung controller based drives such as OCZ Vertex (though their price reduction has not occured yet), so Samsungs are recommended such as OCZ Summit or Dell's (Samsung) P256.

 

Thanks - and do I go SATA 1 or 2?

 

I think they are so focused on getting an SSD to the level of HDD-replacement, that even the capacity is same. Anyway it doesn't have to be as the 10-channel controller means it'll end up to be 20/40/80/160 etc.

 

all are sata2 (or sata/300, which is the same..).

 

Not according to Dell's site. They have a 256 and 128 for $479. The 128 is SATA2, 256 is SATA

 

The OCZ 256 is >$700. Do you have a link to the Dell one?

 

Dell's website is garbage. you will recieve a 2nd gen samsung MLC with SATA2 capability if you order the one linked. seq read/write 220/200 mb/s

 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=341-8981

 

Lol fair enough - thanks for everything, guys. I'll order that one linked. So they are ripping people off with the 128/256 for 479?

 

And why do they put so much time and money into specifying what models they can work in if it is pretty much universal? Like they have the same model over and over listed for different computers.

 

I just ordered a SXPS16 from the Dell Outlet. It comes with the 500gb 5400rpm drive. I want the 256GB SSD which I ordered separately from Dell, and plan is to use the 500gb drive in an external enclosure via eSATA.

So I got part# 341-9999, 256GB SSD. Is this any different than part# 341-8981 which is listed separately, and is linked above in this thread ? Both are $480 -- still a great deal in $/GB even with recent price drops.

I was wanting the 2nd gen Samsung MLC drive for the SXPS16. Both the 341-9999 and the 341-8981 (linked above in this thread) show manufacturer part# J246M. Are these identical drives with duplicate Dell part#, identical drives with different mounting screws or hardware, or different drives ? Hope I got the right one!

 

I'm betting they're identical drives. i originally ordered 341-8981 but it got delayed 3 weeks and cancelled. Then I ordered 341-9999 and just got it today. The drive I got is exactly the same one as reviewed here http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/03/17/review_storage_ssd_samsung_mmd0e56g5/ (identical part numbers).

 

Thanks so much. That's what I wanted to hear!

Seems weird how Dell gives different part#s for identical items. Maybe that is how they track inventory for same parts destined for different computers ?