best ssd to buy today?

Winston

Winston

Winston

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Hi all,
My 8800gtx failed me this week so having to buy a 460 to get me running again. Have been toying with the idea if a SSD for ages and now seems to be the opportunity to get one, I think?
Running the spec in sig which SSD would you recommend me to purchase? I will be usig it for Win7 and a few games only, everything else can be stored on the current drive. Mobo is an IP35pro

Thanks in advance...
 
I would have definately recommended the 80 Gb Intel one for Win 7 plus a few games that was on offer for £146, but they are gone.

If you plan on using windows and games on the SSD, you will need one that is 80-128 Gb.

It depends on your budget really. Read speed is the main thing to consider when choosing between SSDs, and since you dont have a Sata III mobo, you wouldnt benefit from a Sata III Crucial one, though if you plan on upgrading your motherboard to a Sata III one in the future, then the Crucial C300 drives are the fastest ones available, but the 128 Gb version is very expensive.
 
I won't be installing many games just mainly the OS, not sure how much space that uses? So maybe a 64gb would be large enough? So a c300 would be the fastest running on sataII and it would also future proof me for sataIII when needed?
 
I recently bought 2x OCZ Vertex 2 60gb and stuck them in raid 0.

A very worthwhile buy so far. It's like I've also upgraded the rest of my system.
 
C300 for gaming
vertex 2E for writing.

Though postville refresh is around the corner for better prices, better speeds etc etc...
 
Boozebeard said:
I'm pretty sure everyone recommends sandforce ones eg crucial or oc vertex. Got a vertex myself, very good drive.
Click to expand...

Yeah just been doing some revision and think I'll go with the vertex 2E 60Gb. Do you find 60 gig enough for your needs? say the OS and a few games?
 
Windows 7 is 20GB. Steam folder is HUGE. depends on how many games you have and how you utilise it. You can split your steam folder up, there's a tut around the forums somewhere. 60GB is a squeeze IMO. But depends on what you need personally.
 
Winston said:
Yeah just been doing some revision and think I'll go with the vertex 2E 60Gb. Do you find 60 gig enough for your needs? say the OS and a few games?
Click to expand...

This is on my 64 Gb with just windows, utility programs (adobe, virus scan, web browser etc) + drivers installed:



I really wouldnt want to fill up the remainder because there needs to be some empty space left on the windows drive. You would have 4 gb less on a 60 Gb drive too (formatted capacity on a 60 Gb would be around 55 Gb).

I would still recommend the 80 Gb Intel SSD if you want to do OS + Games
 
Winston said:
Do you find 60 gig enough for your needs? say the OS and a few games?
Click to expand...
Although i don't have a ssd, this is just an example on a standard sata hd. I have windows 7 x64 and all the updates and drivers for chipset, graphics card, soundcard = (creatives software) about 15 small apps like cpuz, gpuz, hwmonitor, occt, furmark etc, Crysis, metro2033, splinter cell conviction, half life 2 and about a gig of downloads, and that takes up about 48.5 GB.
 
Recently bought OCZ Vertex 2E 60GB Maximum Read: 285MB/sec, Maximum Write: 275MB/sec, Sustained Write: 250MB/sec for £117.49 from OCUK, would recommend!
 
iDevil said:
Recently bought OCZ Vertex 2E 60GB Maximum Read: 285MB/sec, Maximum Write: 275MB/sec, Sustained Write: 250MB/sec for £117.49 from OCUK, would recommend!
Click to expand...

And what do you use the drive for and how you find the amount of space you use?
 
Thanks for all the advice, very helpful

I went with the Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB in the end due to the extra space, just wish I had ordered earlier when Gibbo had the deal on :(

So as i'm new to this could someone please guide through what i'll need to do when i receive it

I'll be doing a fresh Win7 install as it's always for the best

I currently have an OS running on my old hard drive so can use this to format the new SSD or anything that is required, firmware?

Anyway please guide me as i'm a bit nervous

Also is there certain sata ports on different controllers on my board or am i looking into it too much?

Thx again :cool:
 
I've just got windows and applications on it. Kept my games on the mechanical. I put a couple on there at one point I couldn't really tell the difference tbh. Loading times on PC games have never really been a problem to me.
 
Winston said:
Thanks for all the advice, very helpful

I went with the Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB in the end due to the extra space, just wish I had ordered earlier when Gibbo had the deal on :(

So as i'm new to this could someone please guide through what i'll need to do when i receive it

I'll be doing a fresh Win7 install as it's always for the best

I currently have an OS running on my old hard drive so can use this to format the new SSD or anything that is required, firmware?

Anyway please guide me as i'm a bit nervous

Also is there certain sata ports on different controllers on my board or am i looking into it too much?

Thx again :cool:
Click to expand...

You don't need to do anything except make sure that the SSD is plugged in on the first SATA port on your mobo and that AHCI is enabled in the storage/Drive configuration. W7 will automatically format your drive. There are also some usefull tool here for intel SSD drive. http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...ve,+80GB+SATA+II+2.5in,+MLC,+High+Performance
 
Ok cool, how about checking and updating the firmware if necessary? Can this be done after I've installed windows onto it or should I use my current setup and put it in as a secondary drive first?
 
Just placed an order for the Vertex2 60GB, will be using it for Win7 + Apps + selected games.

The rest of my games i.e Steam and a few others will sit on my 300GB raptor so It shouldn't be that much slower.
 
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