SSD, transfer rates, and performance

[yhelothar]

So I'm currently using an X41 Tablet that comes with an awful 4200RPM 1.8" drive that gets about 15MB/s transfer rates.

I'm looking to get an SSD.
There's one out right now that has a transfer rate of 65MB/s read and 45MB/s write that goes for $150 for the 32GB.

On the other hand, there's also a nice mtron 32GB that gets 95MB/s read and write that goes for $240.

Will the mtron going to be about twice as fast in real world application load performance, hibernation, and file transfer, or it's going to be about the same as the cheaper drive, like how RAID0 works?

For example, now it takes about 10 seconds to open up something as simple as my games folder(and the only game I have installed is UT2004/deus ex). Say if the cheap SSD opens it in 5 seconds, would the mtron open it in close to 3seconds?

 

[aceO07]

This forum would be much more helpful with your questions. Also there are quite a few other posts related to your questions.
http://thinkpads.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

 

[coolVariable]

x41 is pata?

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: aceO07
This forum would be much more helpful with your questions. Also there are quite a few other posts related to your questions.
http://thinkpads.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

Thanks for the link, I'll ask on there too. I've been on their main SSD thread though, and they mostly only discuss raw performance. I was hoping people here would be more acquainted with real world performance.

x41 is pata?

Yeah 44pin PATA. It also takes ZIF with an adapter.

 

[coolVariable]

Not sure if there are any PATA SSDs that are worth it.
intel is SATA only. Vertex is SATA. Maybe Samsung has a ZIF or PATA SSD.
mtron SLC drives are great if that is what you are talking about in your OP.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: astroidea
So I'm currently using an X41 Tablet that comes with an awful 4200RPM 1.8" drive that gets about 15MB/s transfer rates.

I'm looking to get an SSD.
There's one out right now that has a transfer rate of 65MB/s read and 45MB/s write that goes for $150 for the 32GB.

On the other hand, there's also a nice mtron 32GB that gets 95MB/s read and write that goes for $240.

Will the mtron going to be about twice as fast in real world application load performance, hibernation, and file transfer, or it's going to be about the same as the cheaper drive, like how RAID0 works?

For example, now it takes about 10 seconds to open up something as simple as my games folder(and the only game I have installed is UT2004/deus ex). Say if the cheap SSD opens it in 5 seconds, would the mtron open it in close to 3seconds?

First of all anything on earth is going to be better than the 4200 you have.

I think the Mtrons tend to be SLC, if so (verify this) then it is worth it. Otherwise I think some Samsung SLC 1.8" drives have been going for cheap lately.

 

[yhelothar]

mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

 

[JLukas]

Originally posted by: astroidea
mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

The two articles Anand wrote on SSDs cover just about everything:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...el/showdoc.aspx?i=3403

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531

 

[alcoholbob]

Are these guaranteed to work with the X41? I've got an old one still going strong but I hear unless you have the proper firmware you are going to get a 2010 bios error with a new HD.

 

[yhelothar]

These two drives are both confirmed to work by x41 users.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: JLukas

Originally posted by: astroidea
mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

The two articles Anand wrote on SSDs cover just about everything:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...el/showdoc.aspx?i=3403

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531

great articles, thanks!

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: astroidea
mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

I'll explain: SLC is what you need. Don't bother with MLC, it's not worth it at all. The last thing you need is stuttering when you expected high performance. If you get an MLC don't expect much difference in overall performance over a HDD.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: astroidea
mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

I'll explain: SLC is what you need. Don't bother with MLC, it's not worth it at all. The last thing you need is stuttering when you expected high performance. If you get an MLC don't expect much difference in overall performance over a HDD.

I thought the stuttering had to do with the drives having cache or not?
We know the intel MLC drives doesn't have the stuttering issue?

 

[alcoholbob]

It really depends on the controller chip on the Kingspec. But I wouldn't risk it with legacy hardware like X41 and possibly have a lemon Jmicron SSD. That said, $230 is kind of pricey for a PATA drive (Mtron 1.8" SLC).

It's really a catch 22--you know you are investing into a dead end, yet at the same time, its very hard to justify throwing away a working laptop (thats also very light, thin, and has minimalistic design).

 

[alcoholbob]

Hmm, I looked around and from I've seen online X41 has no room for a ZIF to PATA adaptor. The Kingspec MLC may be the only choice right now, and we have no idea what controller it uses, but at this price range--probably JMicron. And we know what happens with those controllers--you can't download and surf at the same time.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: astroidea

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: astroidea
mtrons are SLC.. i heard the samsungs doesn't fit. The kingspec one is MLC.
Is there a page that explains all the different SSD technologies, like what SLC and MLC means?

I'll explain: SLC is what you need. Don't bother with MLC, it's not worth it at all. The last thing you need is stuttering when you expected high performance. If you get an MLC don't expect much difference in overall performance over a HDD.

I thought the stuttering had to do with the drives having cache or not?
We know the intel MLC drives doesn't have the stuttering issue?

intel has no cache, intel has no stuttering

 

[alcoholbob]

Doesn't it have 16MB of cache?

 

[alcoholbob]

So as far as I can tell only the Kingspec MLC SSDs are plug and play with the Lenovo X40/41 laptops.

I contacted all the sellers on ebay and they told me the controllers are JMicron JMF601B. Weeeee. As bad as it gets. I may as well get a 4200rpm hitachi as a replacement.

 

[FunkZ]

I just replaced the drive in my T40 with a KingSpec SSD
http://www.ocia.net/reviews/kingspecssd

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Doesn't it have 16MB of cache?

no, it has some ram used to run the wear leveling algorithms, but no actual cache for the data.