looking at the OCZ agility 3 240gb SSD...peoples thoughts!

Im looking at getting an OCZ agility 3 240gb SSD drive for my acer timeline.

is this a reasonably fast and reliable SSD? I was going with a macbook air for work but it seems all enterprise programs work better on the windows os, even if web based. So, im going to get a MbA for personal use and spice up my 14" timeline for work based useage. adding another 4 gig of ram, and the ssd should make it pretty snappy.

 

never a sandforce drive... pick either Crucial / Intel

 

how are they comparable in price?

 

About the same, but Sandforce is horribly unreliable.

 

Cool,

thanks for the heads up. intel it is. I need reliable.

 

If you've never used an SSD before, you could go for a SATAII for (relatively) cheap compared to a SATAIII drive. If you go the SATAII route, look at the Intel 320 series, but if you want SATAIII you should look at the Crucial M4 (iirc, it's about ~$100 cheaper than the Intel 510 in the higher capacities).

 

I have no idea what im looking for in that regard. Its going into an acer timeline 4810T. Im guessing theres only a 5400 rpm drive in it now so any SSD will be a fire breather compared to the drive now.

 

I'd definitely look into the Intel 320 SSD then. I'm pretty happy with my 160GB SSD in my sig, and I've never had issues with it (owned it since late May/early June).

 

Yes, go with Intel or Crucial, or even Samsung. OCZ drives, and any drive based on a Sandforce controller, does not go hand-in-hand with reliable. The Crucial M4 is the fastest drive in real usage right now, and tends to be on the cheaper end too, while maintaining good reliability. The Intel 510 is great but pricey. If you only need a SATA 2, then the Intel 320 is good (notwithstanding the rare but deadly 8MB bug) or the Samsung 470 is great too.

 

Just to throw in my experience with the drive, I have never had this 8MB bug happen to me. I realize that a small portion of 320 drives suffer from this, however iirc Intel has released updated firmware to take care of this(?).

 

If this is your system (circa 2009?):

See:
Acer Aspire Timeline 4810T - 14in Laptop Laptop review - Trusted Reviews



Then I would highly recommend the Intel 320 160GB model or larger.

Make sure you update the firmware before you do a clean Win7 install on your drive:

See
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18363



Then install the latest Intel RST drivers too (along with any other drivers your system hardware needs):

See:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&DwnldID=20215


With the above completed, download and install the Intel SSD Toolbox:

See:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3044&DwnldID=18455&ProductFamily=Solid+State+Drives+and+Caching&ProductLine=Intel%c2%ae+High+Performance+Solid+State+Drive&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+X25-M+Solid+State+Drive%2c+80GB+SATA+II+2.5in%2c+MLC%2c+High+Performanceeng


(Note to other Intel SSD owners: SSD Toolbox is now at v3.00).


Run the Intel SSD Toolbox and set up a weekly (as recommended) schedule to run manual TRIM on the drive.

Now, enjoy your 'new' system!



With this drive and your specific notebook, you should get a major increase in performance and possibly battery life as well (if my Asus U30Jc is anything to go by) along with equal or better reliability too (something that can not be said of most other SSD's - especially SF based versions.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7766632-post2079.html



NOTE: some might suggest the Intel 510 Series SSD's. Although I highly recommend them for SATA3 based desktops or a no-compromise performance/work oriented notebook, keep in mind that they are considerably more power hungry and it might impact your battery life - depending on your actual real world usage scenario.

While 'future-proofing' your purchase by buying a SATA3 capable drive (vs. the SATA2 spec'd 320 Series drives) may seem like a good idea on paper, it is not the best fit for your specific situation.


Hope some of this helps.

 

I thought the Intel SSDs had a superior GC, better as the other manufacturers.
As Windows 7, which supports TRIM, should be freshly/clean installed why is a manual TRIM every week necessary?

 

The GC Intel SSD's have is superior because it is performed during normal operations - it is not reserved for special 'idle' modes of the drive/system or the user for it to kick in.

A manual TRIM is not necessary - but won't hurt if there is nothing to TRIM, right?

Even Intel recommends it as a weekly mainenance run.

 

Mine hasn't either. I'm running a pre-"fix" firmware as when I tried to update the flash keeps failing. It is a rare bug, just something to be aware of is all. I'd still get another 320 for a SATA 2 system.

 

madmattd,

You may want to try downloading the latest Intel SSD Toolbox v3.00 which will update the firmware within Windows (with a Reboot, of course):

See:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455


Good luck.

 

Yea maybe I'll tackle that tomorrow. It's my PC at work so yea...lol.

 

Thanks for that, yeah thats my system, core 2 duo and im upgrading the ram to 10600 8gb kit as well as the 160gb drive. I am also looking at the 250ish gb 320 as well...

 

Oh, another quick question, can I install a fresh win 7 on my acer? then just add my drivers? I have read or had experinces where you HAD to use the boot disks..

 

You can certainly do a fresh Win7 install with just drivers.

 

Fresh (clean) Win7x64 SP1 install with just drivers?

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Sorry! Just had my coffee crisp and I'm a little wired!