Looking to buy first SSD. Advice please!

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 00:29

Bought first SSD - I am impressed!

Hey guys,

I am looking to potentially purchase my first SSD for my system (in my sig) and I would appreciate some advice/information.

I am considering going for the Intel 320 160GB SSD, as I hear they have a good balance of performance and reliability.

£240 is going to be MAXIMUM I can spend sadly, credit card limits and all that

Can anyone recommend anything else that might be better? Just so you know, I currently have about 100GB of program and Windows on my current hard drive, and I know SSDs work best with some free space on them. How much free space can you save by disabling hibernate also? Won't be needing that with speedy boot up!

What do guys think?

Also, what's the general procedure for installing Windows on a new SSD? My Documents and Downloads are already on another drive, so that's not problem.

shine · 29 May 2011 at 10:24

For your budget I'd get the Crucial M4, a little more expensive but a faster drive. Although the Intel isma decent drive and if you don't want to spend more it's a good choice.

As for installing Windows, unplug any other drives you have while installing Windows on the SSD to make sure all the files are stored on the SSD.

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 10:28

shine said:
For your budget I'd get the Crucial M4, a little more expensive but a faster drive. Although the Intel isma decent drive and if you don't want to spend more it's a good choice.

As for installing Windows, unplug any other drives you have while installing Windows on the SSD to make sure all the files are stored on the SSD.

Sadly, the 256GB M4 is far too expensive for me, and I don't think around 128GB is going to be enough

Anything else that needs to be done formatting wise? Obviously set bios to AHCI mode? Other than that, on a fresh Windows installation, should I format the disk, and then install?

mraerosmith1981 · 29 May 2011 at 10:35

Nothing wrong with the intel I have a G2 160gb intel for some of my games, and a crucial 128gb for my os, other than sticking on ahci, nothing I would recommend

shine · 29 May 2011 at 10:36

No need to format the SSD, Windows will take care of it.

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 10:42

mraerosmith1981 said:
Nothing wrong with the intel I have a G2 160gb intel for some of my games, and a crucial 128gb for my os, other than sticking on ahci, nothing I would recommend

shine said:
No need to format the SSD, Windows will take care of it.

Cool, thanks for the advice guys. Think I will look into ordering it this coming week then! Been having a lot of problems with my system drive, so definitely time for an upgrade!

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 13:56

Anyone else with other advice/drive recommendations? Or is the Intel a solid drive?

Sorry to bump it, just want to make sure I'm making a good choice.

Nameless_87 · 29 May 2011 at 16:54

I have almost the same setup as you... see my sig...

And I went for the Intel 320 160 GB as well..

no point in getting the Crucial or any of the 6gbps ssds since the UD5 only allows 3gbps... and the Intel 320 is the best 3gbps drive there is...

You won't be disappointed with it.. + 5 years warranty is great

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 17:07

Nameless_87 said:
I have almost the same setup as you... see my sig...

And I went for the Intel 320 160 GB as well..

no point in getting the Crucial or any of the 6gbps ssds since the UD5 only allows 3gbps... and the Intel 320 is the best 3gbps drive there is...

You won't be disappointed with it.. + 5 years warranty is great

Ace thanks man! That's decided then! Haha! Intel 320 here I come! Just going to wait until Wed morning so see if it goes up on a deal

I see that the 40GB and 80GB versions are this week, so just maybe

Out of interest, what sort of boot times are you seeing etc?

Nameless_87 · 29 May 2011 at 19:40

TBH haven't installed it yet although been with me for a week and a half now...

Had a project that I had to finish.. so haven't had the time...

I will hopefully install it sometime next week...

However you can sleep safe... with Intel there won't be a problem

madindehead · 29 May 2011 at 20:01

Cool cool. Yeah, I have read that they are very reliable. And now with 5 year warranty, that is pretty sweet.

infernaljebus · 30 May 2011 at 23:06

Is the 120gb Vertex that is currently on pre-order special offer any good? I know it's 2 year old tech but is the difference really that big?

MrBoring · 30 May 2011 at 23:51

madindehead;19250961 Out of interest said:
I'm running an Intel XBM 80GB with Win7 + a few Desktop gadgets and my boot times are stupidly fast (well, I think so anyway)

Well worth getting IMO

madindehead · 31 May 2011 at 00:40

Nice

Ordered it this morning, should be here on Wed (DX apparently not processing on a bank holiday, even though it was dispatched)

Nameless_87 · 31 May 2011 at 22:33

Got a chance to install windows on it... this is the result:

madindehead · 1 Jun 2011 at 16:50

SSD arrived today, installed, and WOW!

I am VERY impressed! Windows boot speed is amazing, feels very snappy and responsive! Chrome loads the second you click it, the whole thing feels amazing! Very glad I bought one! Will upload boot timer later, and SSD Life screenshot.

fleming222 · 3 Jun 2011 at 08:35

I'm glad you felt the difference.
Your 'testimony' is making me want to get one myself.

Nightglow · 3 Jun 2011 at 09:19

madindehead said:
SSD arrived today, installed, and WOW!

Got my first one last week, & WOW is a understatement, so fast, instant loading.

: very happy

best £100 upgrade I've made.

Richdog · 14 Jun 2011 at 10:04

Nameless_87 said:
I have almost the same setup as you... see my sig...

And I went for the Intel 320 160 GB as well..

no point in getting the Crucial or any of the 6gbps ssds since the UD5 only allows 3gbps... and the Intel 320 is the best 3gbps drive there is...

You won't be disappointed with it.. + 5 years warranty is great

Is this still the recommended drive of the moment then? I'm looking to upgrade a Dell i5 2410m laptop with my first ever SSD (got a crazy good deal on it so an SSD is actually cost-effective in this scenario) and am looking for the best price/performance one around greater than 120GB but probably not more than 160GB.

Nameless_87 · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:08

Richdog said:
Is this still the recommended drive of the moment then? I'm looking to upgrade a Dell i5 2410m laptop with my first ever SSD (got a crazy good deal on it so an SSD is actually cost-effective in this scenario) and am looking for the best price/performance one around greater than 120GB but probably not more than 160GB.

After living with it for the past 2-3 weeks I think it's great. Everything loads instant, and windows is much snappier. I am getting the 300GB one for my i7 laptop