SSD in my Mac Pro *updated with performance figures* (and video)

iMacMart said:
Excellent!!

Can't wait to get one installed in the new year, my current 7200rpm has a slight hum to it and kicks out some heat + drains the battery more than the stock 5400rpm so I'm hoping to have a nice nippy, cool running, quite MBP once installed.... Will probably do a fresh install as well :)

Thanks for the feedback ;)
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Well the vertex obviously doesn't have vibrations or hum and the heat produced is negligble. I think you'll be very happy once it's installed.
Definitely do a clean install, don't clone, it's really not a good idea with an SSD!
 
iMacMart said:
About to order a OCZ Vertex, whats the difference between the '2' and '2E'? If any?
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Well SSDs have reserved space to help cope with degradation and the 'slowing down' effect.

Flash memory only has only a finite number of write cycles, it will eventually stop working. As cells become unusable, cells from this reserved space can replace them so you don't lose any capacity.

The reserve space is also used to help cope with slower write performances over time. I'm eating my lunch so wont go into that, but you can search for it on the interweb.

Bottom line is that the 2e has less reserve space, hence they are sold as high usable capacity. At the end of the day, the reduced reserve space in the 2e really doesn't matter. Go with the 2e. ;)


Edit-

And to put your mind further at ease with the 2e, the vertex has some sort of low level garbage collection so even without trim the drive wont slow down much over time, and if it does just ATA secure erase it. As for degradation, modern flash cells last 100 000 write cycles or more. So on a 60GB drive you'd have to write over 5TB a day for 3 years to kill the drive if it has no reserved space at all.
 
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OzyOly said:
Well SSDs have reserved space to help cope with degradation and the 'slowing down' effect.

Flash memory only has only a finite number of write cycles, it will eventually stop working. As cells become unusable, cells from this reserved space can replace them so you don't lose any capacity.

The reserve space is also used to help cope with slower write performances over time. I'm eating my lunch so wont go into that, but you can search for it on the interweb.

Bottom line is that the 2e has less reserve space, hence they are sold as high usable capacity. At the end of the day, the reduced reserve space in the 2e really doesn't matter. Go with the 2e. ;)
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http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/apple/2010/07/01/mac-ssd-performance-trim-in-osx/1
 
Feek said:
Don't know, but this is the one I got and it appears to be on 'this week' pricing at the moment.
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Yes I'm thinking this is the one I'll get :D

Thanks for the link guys, bit of reading later I think...

And thanks for the post OzyOly cleared a few things up there and put my mind at rest ;)


EDIT: Need I bother flashing to 1.24? Think they are coming with 1.23 atm...
 
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iMacMart said:
Yes I'm thinking this is the one I'll get :D

Thanks for the link guys, bit of reading later I think...

And thanks for the post OzyOly cleared a few things up there and put my mind at rest ;)


EDIT: Need I bother flashing to 1.24? Think they are coming with 1.23 atm...
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1.23 is fine. It's a pain trying to flash it unless you have a pc or an external enclosure while running boot camp.
 
OzyOly said:
You wont regret it. :)

Remember to do a fresh install or restore from TM backup, don't clone. ;)
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Won't be here until Thursday :( is there an languages packs of other bits I can uninstall to squeeze the the most space out of the drive?

Currently using 46.51gb of space on my current drive......

I'll do a fresh install first then time machine my data back after that...... Can't wait :D
 
iMacMart said:
Won't be here until Thursday :( is there an languages packs of other bits I can uninstall to squeeze the the most space out of the drive?

Currently using 46.51gb of space on my current drive......

I'll do a fresh install first then time machine my data back after that...... Can't wait :D
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You could get rid of language packs and printer drivers I guess. I'm not sure what else you can get off. Just slap in your 'other software' DVD and see what options it gives you I guess. ;)
 
Really useful thread.

I've just ordered a MBP 15" i7, I was going to spec the 128GB SSD from factory, but read about the SSDs from Apple not being the best.

So I got the 7200rpm option, as I intend to use that as a backup drive (remove the optical drive), and I bought the OCZ Vertex 2E 160GB SSD drive from here :)

Can't wait to recieve both tbh!!

My first Mac :)
 
Shadowness said:
Really useful thread.

I've just ordered a MBP 15" i7, I was going to spec the 128GB SSD from factory, but read about the SSDs from Apple not being the best.

So I got the 7200rpm option, as I intend to use that as a backup drive (remove the optical drive), and I bought the OCZ Vertex 2E 160GB SSD drive from here :)

Can't wait to recieve both tbh!!

My first Mac :)
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Just remember if apple should ever find out you've removed your optical drive, they will refuse to repair your machine as it voids the warranty. ;)
 
Ah does it?! I read that upgrading the HDD doesnt void the warranty, I havent looked into removing the optical drive much as I wont do it immediately. Maybe I won't bother for a while then :)

Thanks!
 
Shadowness said:
Ah does it?! I read that upgrading the HDD doesnt void the warranty, I havent looked into removing the optical drive much as I wont do it immediately. Maybe I won't bother for a while then :)

Thanks!
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You can upgrade the HDD and RAM but the optical dive isn't 'user replaceable' in apple's eyes and does void the warranty.

The 120GB SSD should be enough for you though if you just have films and tv shows on an external usb/firewire drive. Just have to ask yourself if you need the extra space on the move or if you can plug in a small external HD. ;)
 
My Vertex 2E 60gb is at home and I'm at work until 6pm! Noooooooooooooo!

Still wife is out tonight so once the kids are in bed I can get into geek mode :D

So fresh install, restore data from TM and test with xBench?
 
iMacMart said:
My Vertex 2E 60gb is at home and I'm at work until 6pm! Noooooooooooooo!

Still wife is out tonight so once the kids are in bed I can get into geek mode :D

So fresh install, restore data from TM and test with xBench?
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Yup, that's pretty much it. Don't be disappointed if you don't get the same xbench results as Feek, not many of us get close.
In terms of real world speed, if this is your first SSD, you'll be blown away when in geek mode this evening. :)
 
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