Crucial m4 256 GB or Samsung 830 Series 256 GB?

[MrMuppet]

Update 2012-07-11: I went with and ordered a Samsung 830 Series 256 GB and a Samsung 830 Series 128 GB, but feel free to discuss. (Plextor M3 and M3 Pro especially is more expensive than the 830 or m4 here btw.)

I would appreciate some advice on which SSD to choose for my new build. Since I'd rather avoid headaches and Intel is much more expensive, the decisions seems to come down to either the Crucial m4 256 GB or the Samsung 830 Series 256 GB. Both can be had at the same price.

I don't really have any brand preferences, just want something solid that still performs well (at a reasonable price). It's for "normal" all-round home and office usage (no rendering, video editing, or encoding though), just want plenty of space for games, I guess.

I'm considering getting a ~128 GB SSD as well (for another PC), what would be recommended at that capacity? 128 GB may actually be enough for my new main rig as well (I'll probably get a 7200 RPM as well), but I'm worried I may regret being a cheapskate once it does run out and I have to put my games on the HDD.

Thanks!

Future system specs:

Bought: cpu: Intel Core i5 3570k | gfx: Palit GeForce GTX 670 2GB
Planned: mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 | ram: Crucial BallistiX Sport 2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz | ssd: Crucial m4 or Samsung 830 256GB
Probably: Seagate Barracuda 3TB (64MB / 7200RPM)
Reuse: psu: Zalman ZM850-HP | psu: Corsair TX750W | 5x HDD | Creative X-Fi Elite Pro (PCI) | Intel NIC (PCIe)

edit: Added poll.

[Coup27]

If they are the same price then Samsung. The Samsung is newer, faster, and comes with a good toolbox application so it is worth a small premium over the m4.

[aaksheytalwar]

Theoretically the Samsung is much faster, in benchmarks. Get it if you can afford it

It is Faster than intel

[MrMuppet]

Originally Posted by Coup27

If they are the same price then Samsung. The Samsung is newer, faster, and comes with a good toolbox application so it is worth a small premium over the m4.

They're virtually the same (after rebates).

The Samsung 830 does seem to have the upper hand:
256 GB: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/532?vs=355
128 GB: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/533?vs=425

I don't know how to interpret the different performance profiles though.

Is Samsung 830 recommended at both capacity levels then? Intel 330 120 GB is a third option at the 120 GB level, I think.

Originally Posted by aaksheytalwar

Theoretically the Samsung is much faster, in benchmarks. Get it if you can afford it

It is Faster than intel

Same as above, and Samsung 830 128 GB > Intel 330 120 GB then, is that correct?

[MrMuppet]

I ordered a Samsung 830 Series 256GB for the new rig and a Samsung 830 Series 128GB for the old one. Thanks!

[jwilliams4200]

For 128GB drives, here is a comprehensive comparison review:

http://www.behardware.com/articles/8...a-6g-ssds.html

The Plextor M3P comes out on top (not surprisingly). The Plextor M3, the Samsung 830, and the Crucial m4 all get mentioned as good buys.

[Kusnierek]

I would say get the Samsung 830 or a Plextor M3 if you can, just because they're both newer, but if you decide to go with the Crucial M4 for whatever reason, you're still getting a good SSD.

[moonbogg]

Why don't people go for the gamer brands, like corsair or Ocz? I'm just wondering why not. Love my 830 btw.

[Kusnierek]

Because first and foremost, drive storage speed is arguably the least important factor to gaming performance. The second reason is that OCZ and Corsair simply are not as reliable as Samsung, Crucial, or Plextor. OCZ is especially not reliable.

[MrMuppet]

I was never looking at 512GB. :p Too expensive at this point imo since SSD capacities are (still) evolving so fast and I don't even think I need the capacity for now. As I said, I ordered one Samsung 830 256GB and one Samsung 830 128GB (for different computers).