The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Help Picking SSD for Envy 14

    Discussion in 'HP' started by midnightgolfer, May 23, 2011.

  1. midnightgolfer

    midnightgolfer Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'm really interested in buying a SSD for my Envy 14, but I'm not sure which one to buy. I really trust Intel's reputation, so I'm specifically looking at their drives.

    Does anyone have any opinion on either of these two Intel drives? Your input would really be appreciated. The price difference is only about $30 (which I don't really mind if it's worth it).


    Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH120G2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive

    Sequential Access - Read
    up to 250MB/s
    Sequential Access - Write
    up to 100MB/s


    Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive

    Sequential Access - Read
    Up to 450 MB/s (SATA 6Gb/s); 265 MB/s (SATA 3Gb/s)
    Sequential Access - Write
    Up to 210 MB/s (SATA 6Gb/s); 200 MB/s (SATA 3Gb/s)
     
    midnightgolfer, May 23, 2011
    #1
  2. cam121

    cam121 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    454
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Either will do, but your Envy 14 does NOT have a SATA3 interface so it won't be able to take advantage of the better speeds on the newer model. If you plan on using this SSD in future devices, $30 isn't bad to future proof your investment. You might notice some improvement in the newer model on a SATA2 interface due to the advances in technology but the increase will be barely noticeable.
     
    cam121, May 23, 2011
    #2
  3. zachary1g

    zachary1g Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    You should be considering the intel 510 or the intel 320 .. not the x25-m

    But I have the intel 510 and if you plan on ever putting it on a newer pc or a pc with sata 6gbps (sata III) ports get the 510!
     
    zachary1g, May 23, 2011
    #3
  4. midnightgolfer

    midnightgolfer Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5

    Is there anything wrong with the x25-m? Or does the 320 just have better speeds?

    So far I've been really considering going with the intel 510. However, if I do get a new laptop within 2-4 years that has SATA3, do you think the 510 would still be a good drive in the future? I could always save that $30 and buy the 320 if the speed increase isn't that big (because I have SATA2) and then buy a better drive in the future.
     
    midnightgolfer, May 23, 2011
    #4
  5. one33_bpm

    one33_bpm Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    the Intel 510 is meant for a SATA III (6.0Gb/s) connection
    the Intel 320 is meant for a SATA II (3.0Gb/s) connection

    if you have a SATA III system, get the 510, otherwise, the 320.
     
    one33_bpm, May 24, 2011
    #5
  6. moviemarketing

    moviemarketing Milk Drinker

    Reputations:
    1,036
    Messages:
    4,247
    Likes Received:
    881
    Trophy Points:
    181
    I've been running dual Intel X18s in Raid0 since I bought my laptop around Jan or Feb 2010, very happy with the performance, as I'm still getting pretty much the same read/write speed (550MB/s - 570MB/s sequential read times).

    If you can afford the 510 or 320 I understand they will be faster than the X25, but are you certain you would be able to benefit from the SATA III connection in your laptop?
     
    moviemarketing, May 24, 2011
    #6