Crucial M4 vs Intel 520 vs Samsung 830

I will be buying my first SSD in the next few months and I narrowed it down to those 3 (in their 240-256Gb capacity). I read a lot of posts here and both the M4 and the 830 seem to be highly regarded. I don't really care about the speed differences between the 3, as much as the reliability (that's my top priority for sure). I am a bit weary of the SandForce controller in the Intel for that same reason. Which of the 3 do you think is best for me?

 

I'd go with the Samsung.

I'm not a fan of SandForce, but if i had to get another drive with one (had one that died on me), it'd be an Intel drive. Intel stand behind their products and also have good customer service.

 

^^+1.........

 

I agree that Samsung is and was my first choice. Great drives (one for my laptop, one for my desktop). I like the Magician software and the ability to force trim when I want as well.

Give the three choices...Intel NOT a choice. Stick with the Samsung or M4. Look for the price points and enjoy

 

Samsung all the way.

But if you insist on the M4, here's some (non-expired) deals I recently added to the Tech Bargains thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-tech-bargains/675048-crucial-m4-ct128m4ssd2cca-2-5-128gb-ssd-119-99-free-shipping-deal-expires-11-59pm-pt-wednesday-07-04-2012-a.html#post8686433

 

you just named three of the most reliable drives in the market.

just go with the cheapest one.

 

Not that this helps the OP that much, since it's only 128 gig, but the Samsung 830 128 gig is real cheap right now.
Samsung 128GB 830 Series SATA 6Gbps Internal SSD for $90 + free shipping - MZ-7PC128B/WW

Not sure if you have to be a Newegg email subscriber...

 

I have just ordered a 256gb 830 to replace my 128gb m4 as its almost full. The 830 was a bit cheaper than the 256gb m4.

 

I have a M4 and I really like it. When you say reliability, do you also prefer a lower cost? The M4 has some pretty good deals while the Samsung is generally a bit more expensive.

 

That depends on where you are, in the US the prices are pretty similar compared to Canada for example where the 830 is really more expensive as in early 2012 prices even now.

830: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2318705&CatId=5300 (if someone can find the 830 somewhere else than tigerdirect and ebay in Canada, let me know)
M4: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1785185&CatId=5298 (and this isn't even the cheaper you can find)

I don't see the 830 being worth a 50$ price difference, 20$, sure considering it does come with a software toolbox and all.

 

Yeah, I am in the US and the M4 and the 830 can be found for roughly the same price...The 830 seems to be more popular and I haven't read about any problems with it. I guess I'll go with the Samsung. Thanks everyone.

 

Good choice! You won't be disappointed.

 

Just removed a 128gb m4 and put in a 256gb 830 today. It feels a bit slower but not 100% if it is or not?.

 

You can "feel" the speed difference? Why not run a quick benchmark and compare to your previous results?

 

i am personally going with, and would tell anyone to go with, the sandisk extreme SSD's. after reading enough reviews, and seeing it in action in 2 laptops i am convinced its the best SSD out there for a really reasonable price. thats just my 2 pennies though

 

To me, it still has one major thing going against it, the SF-2281 controller. Yes, that controller is fast and popular, but it has a nasty habit of causing more problems than Marvell, Intel or Samsung controllers. We're still talking low percentages, but if you take a look at recent return rates for SSD manufacturers, the ones packing SF controllers have higher return rates, OCZ leading the crowd, but that has also to do with OCZ and not just SF.

That controller still has the nasty habit of throwing F4 BSODs on some people, yes even the Intel 330 and 520, the cases are rare now since the issue was identified and mostly fixed (keyword being mostly).

Out of 5 SSDs, the only one that decided to troll me was my Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB and guess what controller it uses.

In the end, a SSD with the SF-2281 controller isn't a bad choice, it's just that there are drives that are similarly priced and with more reliable controllers. Personally i'm willing to take a small hit in performance that won't be noticeable for a return in reliability. No SSD is exempt from the chance of failures, but i like keeping the odds to a minimum. Some people will have different opinions though, but i've been burned by SF once, so never again. When they release a new controller, i'll wait and see.

my own .02

 

Exactly my thinking when looking for an SSD. At those speeds a small hit won't matter much, but you shouldn't take any chances with the reliability.

 

Here is the m4:



Here is the 830:



Feels a little slower to load things.

 

its the 4ks that make things feel snappy

 

If you don't need a 7mm slim drive then you can opt to go with a Plextor M3. They offer a slightly better Marvell controller than the M4, a 5 year warranty and Toggle NAND that the Samsung has (means better battery life than Synch NAND like in the M4). Their firmware is also top notch. It performs a bit better than the Crucial M4 as well

As far as current SSDs go, I'd put the Plextors at #1 followed by Samsung and then Crucial. The Intel drives are great but they're SF-2281 drives and don't offer the all around performance that a Marvell or Samsung's controller allow. SF controllers aren't very good at incompressible data whereas the Marvell's do everything really well plus a history of great reliability.