Intel 320 Sata II SSDs - 160GB for $155 (MIR) and Free Battlefield 3

Quite a few sites had rebates on Intel 320 SSDs starting a few hours ago. Now, I think Newegg is the only one with the complete line still in stock that I know of. Other retailers included TigerDirect, NCIX, and Amazon (who got more stock but have took down the rebates after the initial sell-out).

They have the 160GB for $155 after mail-in rebate. There's a combo deal on that one that tosses in Battlefield 3 for free.
They have the 120GB for $130.
They have the 80GB for $80.

Here's the 160GB:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
Here's the Intel 320 rebate-eligible line-up:
Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops, Laptop Accessories, Internal SSD, Intel, Mail-in Rebate

 

This is an amazing deal.

 

Wow, stellar i must say, i would snatch it instantly if i could :/

 

How is the rebate? Last time I bought a rebate product through newegg (Patriot USB stick) they stiffed me on it even though I sent it in perfectly.

 

Nice, think I'm finally gonna jump into a SSD!

 

I have done 3 x ssd rebates, no problems with any of them. Two were for intel drives around this time last year and they both arrived fast with no hassles.

As long as you photocopy/scan everything you send you have a backup should it go missing, and thus reduce risk. $120 is a big rebate, so I'd also mail it tracked as well.

 

This is interesting. They are Sata II though, which would be fine for me. But I have a question what is the difference between this and this.

 

Both are retail box kits, however, the B5 suffix kit is a newer version than the K5 suffix kit, and includes several adapters as well. See here for details.

 

Thanks MidnightSun. I see a lot of reports of these drives dying prematurely and that Intel even know about this but hasn't fixed the problem. What do you folks think?

 

Moreso than QC issues? Because the reviews seem to be fairly consistent on newegg, no?

 

Just bought two B5's by the way. Thanks for the post about the adapters

 

Just keep in mind you MUST update the 320 series drives to their latest firmware before installing anything, even an OS. Otherwise you run the risk of the 8mb bug after losing power.

 

Actually Snake, after pulling the trigger on a pair of teh 160 GB guys, I read through the reviews for the Kingston HyperX ones for $175 [after rebate] and I saw the reports you were seeing. I believe after installing the firmware update (how many people know how to do this, let alone before an OS is installed?) those kinds of problems would die down repeatedly.

Unless someone here can chime in that they are in fact dying off in more than reasonable numbers, the Kingston's might be a good deal too (almost twice as fast), but are 120GB. They got their rebates listed a few hours after this deal btw.

 

I hope the firmware update solves it, that would be great. Does intel acknowledge this bug and fix it specifically with their firmware update? I guess in all fairness a lot of the mechanical drives fail a lot these days too. I just saw a lot of complaints and it kind of scared me

 

Were you able to get the free BF3 game w/ the newer B5 also?

 

No. I didn't see an option for it I kept coming back to this page and being like "hay where my free game"

In other news it was funny that the versions that have the additional cords and kits/USB adapters were $5 cheaper than the standalone drives, and I suspect 99% of people don't realize this until AFTER they bought the drive and go 'wait a minute...' -__-

No, your suspicion was definitely justified, I just mistakenly dismissed it as 'invalid'. Yes, Intel acknowledges the 8mb bug and it's all about updating the FW as soon as you get it and before you use it. I also know Intel has one of the best warranties in the SSD niche, but I don't know what their policy is with specific regard to this bug and bricked drives/people who don't update the firmware. Hopefully an existing customer can speak to this ^.

 

Oh okay, well I'll just stick w/ the one I ordered instead of replacing it for the usb adapter... although I'd actually rather have that, lol

 

They processed my order EXTREMELY quickly. I was expecting it wouldn't ship until tomorrow morning or lunch, but they already shipped it! I was actually mad 'cuz I went and bought some RAM too to add on it and save them the shipping (free shipping right now) but I had to add it afterwards. Strange to me for some reason.

I WOULD suggest canceling your order and ordering the B one so you get the adapter, but your order might be processed already? That's what I did. I was looking at the 160GB Intels but decided to go with a pair of 120GB Kingstons instead.

*Edit: almost forgot, rep and a half to gwilled. I'm extremely extremely unscrupulous when it comes to shopping for hardware, and this fit the bill quite nicely.

 

Yeah mine is shipped already as well..

 

According to the reviews, several people have returned bricked SSDs without problems.

 

In case anyone still wants in, I think Newegg still has the 120GB and 80GB drives in stock for Cyber Monday. It's $120 for the 120GB after rebate and $80 for the 80GB (plus $10 gift card). They remain out of the 160GB. Buy.com also has the same offer going.

 

Those 160GBs went fast. I wanted to get one but ran out before I could make a decision

 

I purchased one of these drives and am currently trying to figure out which "Original IPC Barcode Label" they want exactly for the rebate. Is it the sticker that comes wit the UPC, product code, serial number, batch etc... or is it that little barcode on the little flap where you open the box? Thanks

 

Give them both to be safe.

 

Yeah, thanks. Was thinking the exact same thing. =)