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    Which SSD to pick?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Mucchan, Jan 4, 2012.

  1. Mucchan

    Mucchan Notebook Geek

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    Hi all,

    Planning to put a SSD into my M11x R1 (SATA II). Was thinking of putting a Crucial M4 256GB before, but in doubt now because they apparently have a bug that causes them to fail after 5200 hours of usage.

    Currently looking at other alternatives and have come up with these:

    1. Corsair Force 3 240GB
    Cheapest, but is using the SF-2281 controller which seems to be problematic.

    2. Intel 320 300GB
    Price wise seems to be just as expensive as the newer 510 250GB, 5 years warranty as opposed to 3 and bigger capacity than the 510. Would be harder to find for me, since not many stores carry the 300GB model where I live.

    3. Intel 510 250GB
    Seems to be the most reliable, but price is definitely an issue.

    4. Crucial M4 256GB
    Was/is touted to be more reliable than the Sandforce based SSDs and gets recommended a lot. Price wise, it's cheaper than the Intel ones.

    Not sure whether to stick with my original plan of getting a M4 or go with one of the 3 alternatives. Please help.
     
    Mucchan, Jan 4, 2012
    #1
  2. Bobmitch

    Bobmitch Notebook Virtuoso

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    My vote is the Crucial M4. It has the same controller as the Intel 510 (Marvel), and with the new .009 firmware...just as fast as any SATA III SSD. The reliability of the M4 rivals anything Intel has to offer. Cheaper as well...
     
    Bobmitch, Jan 4, 2012
    #2
  3. Mucchan

    Mucchan Notebook Geek

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    That's what I thought as well, until I read about the issue.

    Crucial Forum - 0x00000f4 error on M4 64GB
    Whirlpool Forum - Crucial M4 Fatality at 5200 hours

    While the issue might get fixed with a firmware update down the line, it doesn't help knowing that I will be buying an inherently faulty drive at this point in time.
     
    Mucchan, Jan 4, 2012
    #3
  4. ellalan

    ellalan Notebook Deity

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    ellalan, Jan 4, 2012
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  5. Abidderman

    Abidderman Notebook Deity

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    Wow, this is the first I have heard about this. Up until now I have thought of the M4 as a very fast and reliable ssd. I will be watching this, but not good news....
     
    Abidderman, Jan 4, 2012
    #5
  6. Bobmitch

    Bobmitch Notebook Virtuoso

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    Going to be interesting to see what Crucial does to remedy this...
     
    Bobmitch, Jan 5, 2012
    #6
  7. BeastRider

    BeastRider Notebook Evangelist

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    Still get the M4 IMO. Most users will get to 5000 hours in about a year, so the fix will have been out for quite a while before time runs out.
     
    BeastRider, Jan 7, 2012
    #7
  8. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    I'd stick with Intel. I own 2 320 series drives in my Alienware M17xR2, one before the 8 MB bug and one after, not a single hiccup. You could also take a look at the Samsung 470 series, it has proven itself reliable and a brand new 256 GB one can be had on eBay for around 300.

    Personally I see no point in a SATA 3 SSD as more speed is pointless as you are still getting the .1 ms latency and increased reliability of an SSD mechanically speaking vs a traditional platter drive.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 7, 2012
    #8
  9. DC87

    DC87 Notebook Consultant

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    DC87, Jan 9, 2012
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  10. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Crucial M4, or Samsung 830
     
    long2905, Jan 9, 2012
    #10
  11. jclausius

    jclausius Notebook Virtuoso

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    jclausius, Jan 9, 2012
    #11