2.5" vs 3.5" SSD

[Kipernicus]

Are there any differences in using 2.5" vs 3.5" SSDs in a desktop computer, all other variables held constant (brand, capacity, controller, etc)? Are there heat, power consumption, or longevity differences?

Thanks

examples:
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227590
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX120G 3.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551

 

[sub.mesa]

3,5" is not a normal form factor for SSDs. I've seen it only in the "Colossus" series.

Be careful about SSDs; check which controller they are using. That tells you what kind of performance level your can expect.

My idea of SSD performance (sorted from fastest to slowest):

1. Micron (Crucial C300)
2. Sandforce (OCZ Agility 2, Vertex 2; Corsair Force, etc)
3. Intel
4. Indilinx
5. Samsung
6. JMicron/Toshiba

The 3,5" has more space, but might just be a cheap controller who's powering a lot of cheap chips; that doesn't make it a good SSD. I suggest you stick to popular solid models sold in the wild, rather than something obscure as a 3,5" SSD unless you know it performs very well and is decently built. Still little reason to go 3,5" IMO.

HDDs are also moving to 2,5". In fact, more 2,5" HDDs are being sold today than 3,5" models; 1,8" and 2,5" are becoming the new standard.

 

[FishAk]

These are both the same drive- just in different housings. The 3.5 won't need an adaptor to fit in a standard 3.5" drive slot in a "desktop" case. It will, however, be too big to put in a laptop, should that be the desire down the road.

 

[alaricljs]

Personally, I'd get the 2.5" drives... you never know when you might want to transplant it to a laptop.

 

[fffblackmage]

I don't understand why OCZ had to make 3.5" versions of the Vertex 2.... Couldn't they just have simply provided 2.5" to 3.5" brackets? That would be more simple on their side and more flexible for the end user. I'd imagine brackets are cheaper than making 3.5" housings too.

 

[alaricljs]

That's the fun part... my Vertex 2 came with a 2.5-3.5 adapter. No idea what's up with the 3.5's.

 

[ElFenix]

I don't understand why OCZ had to make 3.5" versions of the Vertex 2.... Couldn't they just have simply provided 2.5" to 3.5" brackets? That would be more simple on their side and more flexible for the end user. I'd imagine brackets are cheaper than making 3.5" housings too.

the product pic of the 2.5" drive shows a bracket in the kit.

no reason at all to get the 3.5" drive.

 

[fffblackmage]

the product pic of the 2.5" drive shows a bracket in the kit.

no reason at all to get the 3.5" drive.

Woops, so it does. Was looking at the wrong drive.

 

[Eeqmcsq]

Maybe they over-ordered the 3.5 case housing, so they had to use it for something.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Well the obvious advantage to 3.5" is that they could stuff more parts into it to increase speed/capacity, although right now its not necessary and thus there's little reason. If the cost is the same the 2.5" drive is probably going to be the same capacity/performance but be more versatile due to its smaller form factor.

 

[Emulex]

you could sandwich two boards too! height restrictions of 5mm are not really a problem with 3.5" - 800gb mlc? hells yeah

 

[ViRGE]

I don't understand why OCZ had to make 3.5" versions of the Vertex 2.... Couldn't they just have simply provided 2.5" to 3.5" brackets? That would be more simple on their side and more flexible for the end user. I'd imagine brackets are cheaper than making 3.5" housings too.

If I had to take a guess, it would be because the brackets suck. I have one of their 3.5" brackets and it doesn't sit right in my Thermaltake case's hard drive trays. The brackets are really only suitable for cases where the drives are mounted with screws - for whatever reason they're not built similar enough to a real hard drive to work in drive trays.

 

[Mark_K]

Are there any differences in using 2.5" vs 3.5" SSDs in a desktop computer, all other variables held constant (brand, capacity, controller, etc)? Are there heat, power consumption, or longevity differences?

Thanks

examples:
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227590
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX120G 3.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551

Your links are showing both as 3.5" drives. for $212.99 after mailin rebate.

EDIT: Now the second link has been taken down.......

 

[LokutusofBorg]

If I had to take a guess, it would be because the brackets suck. I have one of their 3.5" brackets and it doesn't sit right in my Thermaltake case's hard drive trays. The brackets are really only suitable for cases where the drives are mounted with screws - for whatever reason they're not built similar enough to a real hard drive to work in drive trays.

Yep. The bracket that came with my Vertex 2 sucks arse.