Should I buy old generation intel 320 ssd?

thinksloth · 02-21-2013, 03:20 PM

Hi, I am new to this forum and want some advice.

I decide buy my first ssd, and doing some research (and please correct me if I am wrong).

I want install my OS in SSD, thus I want the ssd robust and reliable, thus I consider intel 320. But I have some concerns:
- '8mb bug' although an firmware update is rolled out
- intel 320 will not drop write speed after 1 - 2 yr usage

Although it is a sata II ssd, But I think write speed for intel 320 (~100MB) enough for my normal usage including watching video, fb.

So do your think other model have the same reliability as intel 320, and buying an old model is not good? Please advice me.

Thanks~

Coup27 · 02-21-2013, 03:49 PM

The Intel 320 is a good SSD. It does have a fatal flaw in the 8MB bug and there have been reports of it still in the wild after the firmware update. I have two 40GB versions in some light duty machines and both have been fine.

Virtually all new SSD's are SATA 6Gbps and are faster across all metrics. The only reason somebody here would recommend a 320 is if you could buy one substantially cheaper than modern "value" offerings such as a Samsung 840, Plextor M3, M3 Pro, M5S, Crucial m4 etc..

thinksloth · 02-21-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coup27

The Intel 320 is a good SSD. It does have a fatal flaw in the 8MB bug and there have been reports of it still in the wild after the firmware update. I have two 40GB versions in some light duty machines and both have been fine.

Virtually all new SSD's are SATA 6Gbps and are faster across all metrics. The only reason somebody here would recommend a 320 is if you could buy one substantially cheaper than modern "value" offerings such as a Samsung 840, Plextor M3, M3 Pro, M5S, Crucial m4 etc..

I had seen some ppl said ssd write speed will drop after some time, and i really concern reliability and robustness, so intel 320 is my 1st choice

If some new model also reliable i will not hesitate for choosing them.

Thanks for reply

JellyRoll · 02-21-2013, 04:04 PM

Write speed drops on all SSDs in time.

Phynaz · 02-21-2013, 04:05 PM

320 is fine, but being older I should hope you are getting a very good price on it.

Coup27 · 02-21-2013, 04:08 PM

Write speed dropping is not a simple subject. If you are running in an environment which supports TRIM then it should not be a problem. If you are using Windows XP or later you can use the Intel SSD Toolbox to TRIM the drive then it will not be a problem. If you do not fill your SSD 100% then it will not be a problem. If you can leave the drive to idle for a few hours if you cannot do any of the above then it should not be a problem. If you can't do any of the above, it will be a problem.

If reliability is your #1 priority, I would choose a few drives over the 320.

Plextor M3
Plextor M3 Pro
Plextor M5S
Plextor M5 Pro
Samsung 830
Samsung 840
Samsung 840 Pro
Crucial m4

SanDisk are also offering a lot of cheap SSDs. SanDisk are used by quite a few OEM's and a number of their drives have never received a firmware update which is a good indication of a reliable SSD.

In my honest opinion, the Intel 320 was not one of the best SSD's Intel made.

VirtualLarry · 02-21-2013, 06:04 PM

If you are in the USA, TigerDirect.com has an X25-M G2 160GB drive for $89.99 after rebate. If it currently doesn't have a rebate, wait a few days.

bigystyle84 · 02-21-2013, 06:11 PM

Love mine. Own 2

Phynaz · 02-21-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coup27

In my honest opinion, the Intel 320 was not one of the best SSD's Intel made.

We have just about zero reliability info for most of the drives you have listed and recommended.

thinksloth · 02-21-2013, 10:50 PM

I googled some new ssd model, e.g. intel 330, 520 which is using sandforce controller, have a bad reputation (intel claims develop its own firmware), but have some freeze issues.

Plextor M5 Pro, Crucial M4 some users report have speed drop dramatically.

Then I have a stupid thought, why not buying an older model (e.g roll out to market around 2 years), all the problems should be exposed after many years users consuming. On the contrary, newer model maybe still have problems un-expose.

I also heard (not confirm) that enterprise will likely to use intel 320 ssd due to its reliability, and "little" speed drop, that make me confident about this model.

jiffylube1024 · 02-22-2013, 01:23 AM

It's a good SSD if the price is right. The only worry is the 8MB bug which still is a concern with the 320 series (randomly your drive may show up as 8MB one day and you lose all your data). An older X25-M G2 is actually a safer choice, or if you want to save some cash, a Samsung 840 (non-pro) series is always good.

Unit'Igor · 02-22-2013, 02:46 AM

Don't save your money on SSDs,postpone the purchase of something else if you have planned like expensive mouse,new graphic card,but buy Plextor or Samsung.

Coup27 · 02-22-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phynaz

We have just about zero reliability info for most of the drives you have listed and recommended.

What?

Hulk · 02-22-2013, 01:48 PM

My first SSD from a few years ago was a 120GB Intel 320. Hammered it in my desktop for a year or so and them moved into my older Dell laptop and continue to use it there. Never had a problem. I run the Intel SSD Optimizer (the Intel Toolbox app) now and then and have not seen any decrease in performance using Crystaldiskmark and AS SSD since I purchased it. I don't fill it up more than 60 or 70%.

bigystyle84 · 02-22-2013, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulk

My first SSD from a few years ago was a 120GB Intel 320. Hammered it in my desktop for a year or so and them moved into my older Dell laptop and continue to use it there. Never had a problem. I run the Intel SSD Optimizer (the Intel Toolbox app) now and then and have not seen any decrease in performance using Crystaldiskmark and AS SSD since I purchased it. I don't fill it up more than 60 or 70%.

Same here.

My SSD's are 2-3 yrs old, I own a 160GB and 80GB Variants, they have never given me a single issue.

I recently had a pair of Vertex 4 256GB's in Raid 0 too to play with, but I didn't need them

Emulex · 02-22-2013, 07:29 PM

intel 710 is just a cherry picked , custom "slow writing" firmware intel 320 with over half of the nand not used (OP).

So you can get mad performance and life out of a 320gb intel 320 by using say 140gb without trim (it's actually better to not use trim on this drive with such OP). Very consistent steady state performance.

for a normal user, yeah this drive is excellent, as-is. Capacitors for those who don't use protection.

oslama · 02-23-2013, 11:31 AM

I just updated my main rig with Intel 120ssd as system disk and its fast. I did move my critical data files to standard HHD.

Initally it did have the 8mb bug but firmware update fixed it. Windows install was quick.

thinksloth · 03-06-2013, 02:48 AM

I am live in HK, unfortunately intel ssd 320 is out-of-stock, and some shop have 320 with high price.
And since I found my MB sata 6gb port is Asmedia chip
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2305620
I decide not buy the newest and high speed ssd (e.g. plextor m5p / samsung 840 pro).
Now I am targeting Intel ssd 520, but have pros and cons:
Pros:
- Intel brand;
- 520 in market at least 1 years, thus many problems exposed and fixed;
Cons:
- Sandforce controller had bad reputation, although some reviews said 520 Sandforce 2nd gen. controller improve a lot;
- some BSODs cases occur, but dont know had solved or not

Another choice are Crucial M4, what you guys think..?

jobz · 03-07-2013, 12:28 AM

My crucial m4 still running quick and trouble free after 2 years. Computer boots under 10s and apps open instantaneously.

Heard good things about kingston v300, cheaper than m4.