Vertex 3 or M4/C400 RAID0?

Muel · 6 Apr 2011 at 20:19

Howdo all, as above really, I can't make my mind up. One Vertex 3 128gb or two Crucial M4s in RAID0?

I'm going to get high peak reads either way, so not fussed about that, what I'm fussed about is how it performs in the real world, specifically how quick it boots, and opens browsers, Office thingies, music players etc.

I believe that means I need a lot of something called "4K", is that about right?

EDIT: Obviously info is very scarce at the moment, but I'm up for some banter/discussion.

Muel · 7 Apr 2011 at 18:41

No-one?

Real question, is there any way to make TRIM work in RAID0?

Gibbo · 7 Apr 2011 at 19:10

Crucial M4's are on the website.

rjk · 7 Apr 2011 at 19:37

no trim in RAID

FrancesoNoir · 7 Apr 2011 at 20:21

Gibbo said:
Crucial M4's are on the website.

According to most reviews they're barely better than the C300s they're replacing, especially in 64gb guise. And I thought the 25nm process was supposed to result in a cheaper drive?

I want a 60 or 64 gig drive based on SF-2200. Patriot Wildfire looks blazing fast, may hold out for that.

ahenners · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:32

As FrancescoNoir says, the reviews on the M4 aren't too promising. It's not much faster than the C300 in many tests and in some tests it proved to be slower at certain read/write cant remember which exactly. Perhaps its just the early firmware that is on the review samples, I remember the C300 had its fair share of problems on early firmware.

Either way though, its listed on here now in 128gb form for around £30 more than the C300 and around £30 less than the Vertex 3. For the extra £30 the Vertex 3 is a much better drive. Alternatively if you want to save money, just get the C300

@FrancescoNoir - Yes the 25nm process means that the same capacity is cheaper for manufacturers to produce compared with 34nm, however the new generations are using better controllers and the overall result is better performance. It appears to be the better performance compared with previous generation drives that is preventing the cost to the end user down. After all, companies aren't going to release a faster, better drive and sell it for less than previous ones if they know enthusiasts are willing to pay.

FrancesoNoir · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:37

Makes sense but; what about the M4, which (correct me if I am wrong) is using a tweaked version of the C300's controller, on 25nm, for a heap more cash?

So tempted by a Vertex 3 now, just that 120gb size is redundant for my purposes; I only want 60gig, and I don't care about write speeds for a boot drive.

Any other small SF-2200s coming?

EDIT: actually, I know of one from a well known manufacturer that hasn't been announced yet, 'cos my housemate is a test engineer for them, but he'd kill me if I put it here :-)

ahenners · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:48

You are right the M4 is using a "new" Marvell controller that is actually similar to the one in the C300. I have a feeling that unless firmware revision brings out some extra performance soon, the M4 might drop a little in price. Especially if/when the stock of C300's starts to dry up. I may be wrong though.

The other SF-2200s that should be coming soon are the Corsair Force GT and Patriot Wildfire. Will be interesting to see how they compare with the Vertex 3 and how similar priced they will be.