Which ssd is the best value?

I was wondering what ssd you guys would recommend for everyday use and some gaming? Price is somewhat a concern but if the Samsung pro and vector are worth the extra $60-80 more than the basic 840 and similar priced models I might just go that route.

 

These questions might help narrow your focus:

1. What are you upgrading from? Any SSD will be much faster than any HDD.

2. How long do you plan to keep it? As with any other computer part, tomorrow's budget model will be as fast as or even faster than today's high end. Do you plan to upgrade frequently, or do you plan to amortize the cost of a high end drive over the course of multiple years of use?

 

I'd also add...

3) Do you already have a SSD? (Once you go to a SSD, they all just about feel the same, judging from my subjective experience)

I'd recommend that you check out Crucial and Plextor in addition to the Samsung and OCZ (not too frilled with OCZ, really) that you're already considering.

 

I would say Plextor M5S as you can easily find it for about $180-$200. It is about the same performance as the Crucial M4 but the controller and firmware is more refined.

 

Define "refined" ???

 

basically, they improved the random read performance while reducing the Random write performance. Theoretically system performance should be snappier since consumer drives don't seem to require as much random write perf. Plus also they have had the M3 and M5S line for almost as long as Crucial has had the M4

 

The regular Samsung 840 is a great SSD. Go for it.

 

Good info. Although I don't know if I'd consider that "refined" just "different". But I agree for a regular consumer drive, read performance is more important than write. Most users don't do a lot of writes.

 

I would recommend this drive based on the excellent Random Read speeds (just edges past most in its price class) if it were just a tad cheaper but I don't think the TLC memory is an optimal tradeoff if excellent MLC drives (OCZ Vertex 3.2, Plextor M5s, Crucial M4) are also in the same price ballpark. Especially since I've been hearing disturbing reports that the GC algorithm isn't as aggressive as the Pro model to reduce write amplification.

 

Too answer the above questions I am coming from a 5,400 hdd which will be my secondary drive and I plan on keeping it at least 3-4 yrs.

 

Crucial M500 if you buy the 960GB.

Samsung 840 is also cheap I think. Not exactly fast, I think 830 is cheaper (if still available). Same performance too if I remember correctly.
But for $30 extra I`d totally go for the 840 PRO. I own it. Its the fastest SSD out there

 

Yeah I'm leaning towards the 840 pro. I'm kinda new to this stuff so if I clone my 1tb drive over to the 256 gb drive is that easy? I have a windows 8 disc image on 4 disc's is that all I need for a fresh install on the new drive? It's weird that it's windows 8 but it's under Windows 7 recovery not sure why they did that.

 

I found a samsung 830 for about the same price as the 840 non-pro which is the better buy? I know the 840 is newer but there seems to be questions about the tlc nand's lifespan.

 

There have always been SSD lifespan concerns. And really they are kind of insane. Short of an intentional effort and for that matter even with, good luck. The TLC while maybe lacking the level of endurance will meet any realistic consumer usage scenario.

The 840 wins over the 830 in performance even if you want to pull out one dynamic or the other. But forget that, where the 840 and the 840 Pro even shine more is their absolute sipping of power. They almost use "exponentially" less than all others.

I like my 830 256GB just fine. But I would for myself, avoid any TLC/MLC issues by getting the 840 Pro. It performs with the very best consumer class SSD's and as said the power draw is insanely low. You should have a look both the 840's are just crazy low.