Intel 320 vs Samsung 470

Hey guys I'm now really getting to the point where ill pull the trigger for my SSD. Which one is better? In terms of(in order):boot speed, reliability, speed:read/write, heat, noise?

Thanks in Advance
Junkie
P.S I will also consider other Samsung and Intel drives such as the X25-M

 

If you buy small size SSD then your choice is Samsung

 

Really depends on your budget. X25-M G2 are getting harder to find brand new, and are still pretty expensive. The 320 series now utilizing 22nm is cheaper per GB but has less P/E cycles. I have an Intel 320 series 160GB, going strong, had it about a month. I can't comment on the Samsung but the reviews are good, but I would still stick with Intel you can stretch your budget a bit.

 

well on a korean site, (all 120/128GB) the samsung is 220$, the X25-M G2 is 225$ and the intel 320 is 210$

 

There is absolutely no reason to consider an X25-M at this point - even at the same or lower price point.

An Intel 320 series SSD is the better performer with the same controller/reliability of the almost 3 yr old X25-M.

The Samsung might be tempting (to some...) but Intel is Intel for a reason. Do you want faster for a few months or do you want fast enough for the life of your current and possibly future systems?

 

Intel has also upped the warranty to 5 years on the 320, no one else is more than 3. Just goes to show you that the lower P/E cycle count of 22nm tech really isn't an issue unless you are running a heavily-hit database server off the drive.

I can't speak to the Samsung, but the Intel 320 really is a great drive. Relatively inexpensive, Intel reliability, and still plenty fast. Maybe not as fast as the new Sata 3 drives, but it isn't super noticeable. Still way better than a mechanical in responsiveness.

 

I have had my samsung 470 256 GB since last November and it's been working fine, the performance is still top notch. Both Intel and Samsung make great SSD's.

 

i'm really digging the Intel 320 drive, even though its sata II it has better benchmarks than some SATA III drives !!!

 

I've got a 320 and love it. 5 year warranty is just icing on a great cake.

 

SATA interface makes no difference in performance levels. Unfortunately, a lot of users only see bigger numbers and are fooled by those advertisements. While sequential speeds have some importance, they are far less than random speeds (which don't even saturate SATA/150) or access time (which are pretty much the same across most SSDs).

 

Still I choose SATA III SSDs... If I buy SATA III laptop
What makes you sure that random speeds in SSDs are not limited by SATA/150?

 

Because there isn't an SSD that has sustained random read/write that exceed SATA 1.5Gbps yet.

 

Battery life: draw.

Reliability: draw.

Performance: Samsung slightly faster.

Write speed: Samsung hands down.

Warranty: Intel 5 years, Samsung 3 years.

Best software: Intel wins.

Endurance: Samsung uses 32nm NAND, Intel uses 25nm. Theoretically 32nm can be overwritten more often.

Real world performance comparisons:
Samsung 470 vs. Intel 320 Real-World Applications - TechSpot Reviews
Intel SSD 320 (300GB) Review

 

Overall, they're pretty evenly matched. In the end it comes down to your capacity (80/160 vs. 64/128 are the most common) needed and cost, especially since the latter varies a lot depending on where you live.

 

So technically in performance samsung wins?(like read write etc...) what do you mean by best software?

 

While the large (240GB and 300GB SSD's) the link Phil gave shows the 470 as technically winning, I don't put too much stock in a 'win' of 5 seconds or so and even close ties (less than a second or two) on other scores.

By best software (this is where Intel rules... again) I'm sure we're talking about the Intel SSD Toolbox and the related Intel RST drivers (10.5 recommended).

 

I'm only talking about the Toolbox. Although I have no experience with Samsung SSD Magician. So I can't really comment but I imagine Intel's software being better. Not that I really need software btw.

Intel RST runs on every SSD.

It's slightly faster overall.

 

But honestly is the difference worth it for an extra 30$

 

Isn't that a pretty subjective thing ? If you are absolutely cash pinched, get the cheapest(so long it is not force). Otherwise, flip a coin, this thread can go on forever and you would still not get a decisive result.

 

Both drives are good products. Each has its own distinct advantages. Which ever you choose, you won't go wrong.

If you're saying the Samsung 128GB is cheaper than the Intel 120GB then it would be a very easy choice for me.

 

well the intel is around 30$ cheaper if the money is converted but the products dont go through the customs and they dont have warranty but i really couldnt care less cause theyre both really reliable products(From what ive heard)

 

I expect both Intel and Samsung will give you warranty on these products all over the world.

 

samsung is much faster in writes but intel is faster in reads (depends on which matters most to you)

as for 25nm vs 34nm endurance

SSD Write Endurance 25nm Vs 34nm

 

I'm confused well could you give me just some examples of reads and writes? so basically the intel 320 opens stuff faster and the samsung 470 saves faster or smthing?

 

Your question is answered in detail in these reviews:
Intel SSD 320 (300GB) Review
Samsung 470 vs. Intel 320 Real-World Applications - TechSpot Reviews

Samsung 470 opens applications slightly faster than Intel 320.

 

read is like opening files, booting up the computer, loading games
write is like installing games, copying large files

what size ssds are you considering?

 

Can't make up my mind on between the 2 SSDs either. The 470 256GB is so much cheaper than the Intel 320 300GB. Unless I'm not seeing some great deal on the Intels.

 

I just received my 128GB Samsung 470 SSD today, ordered it on 08/14/11 for $215 from Newegg w/ 2 year extended replacement warranty ($200 + $20 2yr plan - $5 coupon). I also registered it on Samsung's website and added 3 additional months of manufacturers warranty on top of the 36 months (3 years). I haven't installed it into my laptop or Windows 7 on it yet but have read nothing but good things about Samsung SSDs. I read about a few 470s that stop working and got the extended replacement warranty as insurance down the road. This ssd will be my main OS drive and my Toshiba 7K500 500GB 7200rpm HDD will go into my 2nd hdd caddy where my DVD writer is.

I did see some negative reviews on Newegg regarding the firmware update process but luckily my SSD came with the latest firmware from the factory. It seems like the people that were having trouble updating the firmware simply could not figure out the process therefore had "negative experiences." I downloaded all the latest pieces of software and manuals for SSD Magician and Norton Ghost from Samsung's Download Support. I installed and tested SSD Magician and found it very easy to use. Checking the firmware of my ssd was simple. SSD Magician can create a bootable usb drive with the latest firmware and I don't see why it would be so difficult to use.

Samsung even told me it was manufactured 07/31/11! Awesome, I'm glad I didn't get an old 470 that had been sitting on the shelf catching dust. I too had a tough time deciding whether to buy the Intel 120GB 320, 120GB 510 or Samsung 128GB 470.

The only reason I went with the Samsung was because; A. the 320 had the "8mb bug" at the time (today the firmware was released so hopefully its gone for good), B. the 510 was the most expensive (but overall fastest+SATAIII). My laptop only supports SATAII and I was hoping to use the 510 in the future on a SATAIII PC but ended up getting the 470 because the price/performance ratio seemed like the overall best but also Newegg wouldn't let me exchange it for anything else.

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