Ssd (120-128gb)

What are the important characteristics one should look for in a SSD?

So far, I know read and write speeds are important, and that the average is read:285MB/s and write: 275MB/s.

Is there a specific brand or model I should buy? Should I wait, is there some new technology just around the corner?

I need an SSD of 120-128GB.

Possible selections:

Corsair Force 120GB read:285mb/s write:275mb/s $179
Corsair Force Series Solid State Drive, 120GB at Memory Express Computers

Intel X25M 120GB read:250mb/s write:100mb/s $179
Intel X25-M SATA Solid-State Drive Kit, 120GB w/ Adapter at Memory Express Computers

Kingston V100 128GB read:250mb/s write:230mb/s $169
Kingston SSDNow V100 2.5in SATA II Solid State Drive, 128GB at Memory Express Computers

Patriot Inferno 120GB read:285mb/s write:275mb/s $219
Patriot Inferno Solid State Drive, 2.5in SATA II, 120GB at Memory Express Computers

Zalman N 128GB read:280mb/s write:270mb/s $179
Zalman N Series Solid State Drive, 128GB w/ SandForce Contoller at Memory Express Computers

OCZ Vertex 2 90GB read:285mb/s write:275mb/s $189
OCZ (OCZSSD2-2VTXE90G) Vertex 2 Extended SATA II 2.5" 90GB Solid State Drive, Read: 285MB/s, Write: 275MB/s | Canada Computers

 

Those are far from the averages - I would wait.

 

What's the average?

Sorry for sounding like a caveman, but higher the speed the better right? 285mb/s > 200mb/s?

 

Intel G3 and SF-2000 SSDs are coming out soon. Time to play the waiting game.

 

A lot will depend on your usages. That quoted read/write speed is for sequential transfers only, and you'll only achieve that rate with large file transfers. For general use and "snap" you want to be looking more at access times and 4K read/write scores, as well as IOPS if you do a lot of multi-tasking. Also, as has been mentioned, new SSD controllers are due out in the next 2-3 months, so it might be worth waiting to see what they bring.

 

Thanks for all the info.

I'll take your advices and wait.

 

From what I've learned the advertised read/write speed are "sequential" that differs from the "random" read/write speed, which is something that you care more about since it's directly related to normal usage. I think the random read speed goes by the name of IOPs I'm not sure. But someone can explain the random read/write or you can look that up before buying.

I personally bought two OCZ vertex II that came with the very reputable sandforce controller. Initially thought of going with intel but then i came across several different performance chart and reviews point to OCZ's superiority, hence I went with OCZ.

 

I vote for Intel all the way. They may not be the fastest, but they are reliable and consistant. I've used an 80GB Intel for about 9 months, and I just bought an Intel 120GB and am more than satisfied. I say this too as I also own an OCZ Vertex 2 and Kingston V-series SSD, and Intel is the best bang for the buck.

 

Im waiting for G3, while the early reviews dont look that impressive, i have had a G2 for over a year now and its been perfect, G3 biggest upgrade seem the write speeds, which the G2 had lower than whats avialable right now. Intel has taken its time with this, and not rushing it, i feels its going to be worth the wait.

The only thing im hopping is intel to find a way to support trim in raid 0, then i would buy 2x160, but a 300gb version is what im aiming atm.

 

Yeah, if the Intel 300GB is reasonably priced I'll go for that.

 

Bottomline: Intel x25-m, Intel controller. It was once the best one, but kinda slow in writing now. Very reliable.

Corsair C300, Marvell controller. Very fast in reading. Even the SATA 3.0Gbps become the bottleneck. However, there is possible degradation after torture test.

Patriot Inferno, OCZ Vertex 2, Zalman N, all Sandforce 1222 controllers. Not as fast as C300 in reading, but have a write amplification of only 0.5. Overall the best performer in the consumer market.

I guess the answer should be clear for you.

 

The WA quoted in Sandforce needs to be qualified, an average for typical Windows usage where the file is around 30%-50% compressable. Throw it some compressed video and it is no longer 0.5. Also, DuraWrite may also kick in after torture test.