320 or x25-m?

[birthdaymonkey]

I just bought a used Thinkpad T60 off ebay for $150 and am planning to put an SSD in it and install Win7. This is obviously not going to be a mainline machine, so I don't need bleeding edge performance or a lot of space.

I'm basically considering the 320 80 GB and the x25 80 GB... X25 is $10 cheaper on newegg right now. I was thinking about a 64GB drive (C300), but I don't think it would be quite enough space since this will be the only fixed storage in the computer. I could get a Sandforce, but I've already got two of those and would like to try something different.

Anyway, is there any reason in this scenario that I would want to go with the 320 for $10 more, or is the tried and true (albeit slower) x25 a better choice for an older laptop?

 

[noblemo]

Either model should meet your needs. Latency is slightly lower in the X25-M. Read/write performance is a little better in the 320. The difference in write speed might be noticeable on a day-to-day basis.

80GB X25-M vs 320

Sequential Read: 250 vs 270 MB/s [+8%]
Random 4K Read: 35,000 vs 38,000 IOPS [+9%]
Read Latency: 65 vs 75 us (TYP) [+15%]

Sequential Write: 70 vs 90 MB/s [+29%]
Random 4K Write: 6,600 vs 10,000 IOPS [+52%]
Write Latency: 85 vs 90 us (TYP) [+6%]

X25-M Product Manual
320 Product Specification

 

[techs]

I would go with the older model.
SSD reliability is still a factor in purchasing decisions and the tried and true x25-M is one of the most reliable out there.
The advantage of the 320 is that eventually it should cost less than the x25-M as the 25nm process matures, but right now you actually pay more for it, and get basically similiar performance.

 

[Veliko]

I went for the 320 because it was considerably cheaper than the 25M.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I went for the 320 because it was considerably cheaper than the 25M.

I was hoping it would be cheaper, but at newegg Canada, it's $10 more for the 320 80GB...

 

[aceO07]

The T60P only has SATA1. The T61 also has SATA1, but it can be hacked to unlock SATA2. You won't get the max transfer speeds in sequential reads/writes. However, even SATA1 should be able to use the Intel 320's other improved speed differences.

I have a X61T, which I used modded firmware to use SATA2. I went with the Intel 320 since I needed the additional space options it provided. I can get up to 260MB/s reads and over 200MB/s writes, sequential.

 

[thinkwhy]

Just go with the cheapest SSD with the capacity you want. I have a X61 Tablet, and Lenovo has locked the BIOS at SATA I (150) for compatibility reasons. I believe the same is true on the T60. Hence, you won't actually get any speed benefits above SATA I speeds.

 

[VirtualLarry]

320 should, in theory, be more reliable than the X25-M, if reports are to be believed.
At least it has a supercap, which will keep the drive from getting corrupted due to a sudden power-off.

 

[razel]

I usually would go with the cheapest current gen SSD you can find from the trusted brands, but in your situation where the difference is only $10 and you appear to be capped at 150MB, I would go with the 320 model.

 

[Emulex]

x25-m or 320 i see equally. get what is in stock and cheapest $/GB. skip sandforce drives!

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Thanks for the input, folks. I think I'm going to go with the x25 since it's currently $10 cheaper. If the 320 comes down in price before my "new" laptop arrives (hopefully next week or tomorrow), I'll get it instead.

 

[noblemo]

The 96GB Kingston V+ 100 might meet your needs, also. It is $10 cheaper than the X25-M.

 

[boozie]

Is the plate in this link to secure the 2.5" SSD to a 3.5" bay?

 

[noblemo]

Is the plate in this link to secure the 2.5" SSD to a 3.5" bay?

Yes. The "K5" part of the product code denotes desktop install kit. Product codes with "B5" include a desktop kit plus a notebook install kit.

 

[boozie]

Yes. The "K5" part of the product code denotes desktop install kit. Product codes with "B5" include a desktop kit plus a notebook install kit.

Ah thanks. I just now see it was in front of my face all along listed at the end of the overview.