Which Vaio Z model + 3rd party SSD drive/s should I buy?

Hi all!

My current C2D Vaio Z21 is about 2 years old and I am looking to upgrade to a newer Vaio Z, primarily to get the i5/i7 processor.

In my current Z I have replaced the HDD with a 160 GB G2 X25-M SSD. I like the intel SSD very much! The user experience running OS and apps on it is really good imho.

For the new Z I am about to buy I would like to get the fastest possible SSD solution, with the snappiest possible user experience. I believe I read that the X25-M will be better for this than the SSD that comes prebuilt with the newer Z:s.

So I am likely going to replace the original one/s with intel SSD:s. To get as much storage as possible and the fastest possible user experience.

I need some advice on what I should buy...

1. What Z model should I get? I will likely replace the SSD that comes with the Z. Does it matter which of the 128/256/512 models I get, or will it be just as OK to just get the 128 GB model ( difference in RAID implementations between dual/quad SSD etcetera?)

2. Any advice what Intel SSD model/s I should get? Will two 160 GB G2 X18-M fit in the Z? How does the RAID 0 work, will I be able to install good ol' Windows XP on them in RAID 0?

3. Or maybe wait for G3 and get two 300 GB X18-M?

4. Any chance that a X25-M will fit? Maybe just one 600 GB G3 X25-M if so?

Thanks for any advice

 

This has been covered a zillion times, search

No an X25 won't fit and even an x18 you'll need to disassemble to get it to fit.

 

Thanks for that.

Still I would like advice on the other questions in my post, what vaio z model I should get, if it's possible to install XP on two X18-M in RAID 0, and what ssd models I should get. Doesnt have to be intel!

Any help/advice with those questions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Shouldn't matter which model you get. Yes, you can do two in raid0, but there's not much point considering you lose TRIM support in raid.

The only question is whether or not your Z uses the custom cable for Samsung drives or the microsata connector for Toshiba drives If it's the former (Z11), you'll need to order a new cable. All Z12's and "most" Z13's use the latter...in which case you're all set.

There's a post in the "how to replace ssd with non-sony ssd" thread with some different benchmarks and results. I have an intel drive myself, others like the RealSSD C300. But basically any 1.8" should work once you rip it out of it's shell.

 

Get yourself a HDD version if you don't need the optical drive.