Buying an SSD - Advice please.

Jegethy · 12 Mar 2012 at 13:24

After a few months of pondering the decision, I have decided that I will buy an SSD. I will use it for boot obviously, but also for several games and applications that I use on a regular basis.

My budget is £150 but ideally I'd like to spend closer to £120.

I'm thinking either the OCZ Agility 3 120GB or the ever so popular Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB. I also considered Intel 520 Series 120GB, but that is slightly out of my budget and I'm not sure if it's worth it.

EDIT: After seeing the SSD Megatest, despite being slightly over budget, the Intel 520 is now at the top of my list. I'd still like some advice on which is the best drive for gaming though.

PiKe · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:35

Shame you didn't take advantage of the weekend offer of the M4 128gb for £117.99

BoonMonkey · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:48

I'd go for the M4 over all others, I personally have the Agility 3 but wish I went M4. No reason in particular except Crucial do an awesome free firmware update which I've read also can increase your read/write speeds.

Jegethy · 12 Mar 2012 at 18:22

The thing with the M4 is that I am a little concerned about the write speeds. Will I notice the difference between the M4 write speeds, and that of the Intel 520?

I currently have a Samsung F3 and I am getting write speeds in the region of 150mb/sec and I see the M4 has write speeds in the region of 200mb/sec. Doesn't really seem worth it.

PiKe · 12 Mar 2012 at 18:59

Other than in benchmarks, no.

Unless you write massive contiguous files.

Jegethy · 12 Mar 2012 at 22:40

I've just ordered the M4. Thanks for your help chaps.

jakspyder · 12 Mar 2012 at 22:41

While i cant comment for other RMA services, I can comment on Crucials. I bought a 128gig crucial M225 2 or so years ago. It recently died on me and i sent it back under RMA. they dont make it any more so they send me an M4 as replacement. The RMA process was fast and easy by email (apparently its instant via phone!) so with speed and price being fairly similar across the board, (identical in real world terms) A good customer support is what counts IMO.

TL;DR Crucial M4. Great performance, Great Support.

Now I hope it dies in 2 years again and i get upgraded to an M5 or M6 hahaha

Stinger53 · 12 Mar 2012 at 23:39

i've just bought a m4 and its great