interpreting Anandtech SSD tests

[so2]

Looking to buy a great 128gb SSD for my build. Anandtech analysis claims the crucial m4 is the leader at this point in time over ocz and intel

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-442-_-Product

Here is the analysis: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/SSD/65

can anyone second this or offer a better option?

Thanks

 

[razel]

Crucial, OCZ and Intel are all great. You'll won't be able to tell the difference between them in a blind test. I'd choose between the 3 based on price per GIG, then warranty.

 

[sticks435]

I'm still waiting for the 120/128 gig comparison test. Plus hopefully he will start using PC Mark 7, which gives results in MB/s for storage tests, instead of just an arbitrary score that means nothing to users.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

At the ~120 level I'd go with a SandForce based drive, myself. Or an actual Intel controller. The Marvell controller is notoriously slower at the lower capacities, unless you're running a very read-heavy workload. If you can kick it up to the ~256 size drives, then the Marvell controller really stretches its legs.

 

[thescreensavers]

Id go with intel since they are the most reliable.

 

[DirkGently1]

Looking to buy a great 128gb SSD for my build. Anandtech analysis claims the crucial m4 is the leader at this point in time over ocz and intel

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-442-_-Product

Here is the analysis: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/SSD/65

can anyone second this or offer a better option?

Thanks

The "leader" in what metric?

Id go with intel since they are the most reliable.

^^The only metric that matters these days.

 

[ArieOTeD]

I would reccommend the Crucial M4. I'm gonna buy a Crucial M4 256 Gb. It's a lot more money then I was initially willing to pay for an ssd, but the difference in transferspeed and iops compared to ~ 120 GB drives is significant. More importantly writing speed drops a lot after torture and trim for 120 Gb drives. This has almost no effect on 240 or 256 GB drives.

As for reliability, Intel is said to be the winner, but Crucial isn't doing bad in this respect. Price is lower then Intel's and speed and iops are way better. The Vertex 3 240 GB is the overall winner, but there seem to be a lot of issues with Vertex drives, you can read a lot about it on several forums.

I have just swapped my Vertex 2 120 GB for a new Vertex 2 120 GB at OCZ because of the wrong 25 NM nand. I used this drive for downloads too, and writing speed dropped to 50 MB/s. After Secure Erase speed went up to 80 MB/s. I think firmware of OCZ is over the top in protecting the nand and prevent wear. I know an ssd will not last me 20 years when downloading to it a lot, but I'm okay with that. I just want to enjoy the benefits of an ssd. It's just stupid an ssd wil only stay fast by not using it, so no more OCZ for me.

 

[a123456]

The M4 definitely looks good, especially at 256GB, but it's a bit high for some budgets. I guess it depends on what you plan on doing with your SSD, but at the lower end, the M4 and even the 320 will have pretty close real-world experience for many users.

For me, if I had to get something today, I'd go for a cheaper 320 for OS/normal stuff since 120GB is more than enough. Then, heavy stuff like Photoshop or frequent large read/writes go on ramdisk. DDR3 is pretty cheap these days, regularly about 7.50/GB.

But your situation may be different. You can't really go wrong with either brand.