Any reason NOT to get the Crucial M4

Keevan

Junior Member
Apr 22, 2012
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0
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Looking at 240-256 GB around $1/gig, seems crucial M4 is right up there.

Heard Mushkin Chronos Deluxe is good, along with Samsung 830

1. Don't need the absolute best performing drive
2. Would like most reliable brand
3. Using for windows, critical apps only
 

sequoia464

Senior member
Feb 12, 2003
870
0
71
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-m4-2...221150375.html

$220 at Buy.com right now for a 256GB M4. Someone posted this earlier in another thread.

I think Crucial is about as reliable as they come - I have a couple of the 128's that I'm happy with.

Quite a few are recommending the Samsung 830 as well. They really seem to like the toolbox that comes with the drive.

The Mushkin has a 2nd generation Sandforce controller. Initially there were issues with drives based on that controller - I don't know about the Mushkin specifically. I think most of those issues have been resolved, but again - I haven't followed that much lately so I'm not positive. Maybe someone else can comment on the Mushkin.

So - No, I can't think of a reason for not going with the M4 other than the newer drives are probably not far off - based on the newest Marvell controller.
 

F1shF4t

Golden Member
Oct 18, 2005
1,583
1
71
M4 is a great and stable drive. Have two for 5+ months with no issues. Its not the fastest but still performs well.

Read great things about samsung 830. Its faster than the M4 but I've never used one. More expencive too.

Mushkin is sandforce based. I've used a few sandforce drives lately without any issues. Some will still not touch then due to past BSOD issues.
 

Burner27

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,452
50
101
Used all three and would rank them the following:

Samsung 830 (If price is not a concern - a little peppier than the M4)
Crucial M4(If price is a concern - stable and quick)
Any Sandforce based SSD(not impressed with any drive in particular and never had a BSOD when using current FW)
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
The only sf 2281 ssd that I would recommend is the intel 520, and that is only because they spent a year + on validation/testing/etc etc. Intel and Samsung are the gold standards in ssd quality, but over the past year or so the m4 has crept up into a strong # 3 position. There are many other quality ssd's that are based upon the m4's marvell controller these days, but the m4 was the first and is generally the least expensive of that bunch. It is also a bit slower than the newer versions, so you need to balance price vs speed in your calculations, however. There is also a new marvell controller coming soon, though there is no way of knowing if it will be as reliable as the current version.
 

Keevan

Junior Member
Apr 22, 2012
17
0
0
I'm considering getting 128 GB Samsung 830 instead...performance seems to be a bit better than m4, though $/gb is higher
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-m4-2...221150375.html

$220 at Buy.com right now for a 256GB M4. Someone posted this earlier in another thread.

snip

Thanks, you just cost me $430! ($10 off $50 coupon included in Engineer's hot deals thread) I almost spent $550 a few weeks ago on a 512gb m4, for this much savings + the speed/fun of Raid 0 I just had to pull the trigger.

edit: here's the link to deal in hotdeals: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2242315
 

sequoia464

Senior member
Feb 12, 2003
870
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Last edited:

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
I'm considering getting 128 GB Samsung 830 instead...performance seems to be a bit better than m4, though $/gb is higher

The real world performance is nearly identical. Most synthetic tests show the 830 slightly better on writes etc, but when working day to day you aren't doing the same work that the benchmark is doing. The Samsung drives do have a nice software package with Norton Ghost and a great SSD toolkit app.
 

greenhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 23, 2011
2,007
1
71
I was tossing between the samsung and a M4 based unit.

In the end went with the M4 for a 256GB SSD as for all I can see, the samsung 830 is only on offer at 64 and 128GB sizes, no 256 (at least locally in this country).
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
What country? The Samsung 830 is available in 256GB but it's $330 or so. The Crucial M4 256GB is $240
 

sequoia464

Senior member
Feb 12, 2003
870
0
71
Last edited:

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
How good of a etailer is Buy.com?

I usually go with amazon or newegg due to various factors that go beyond pricing. Easy returns if I need is one not to mention Amazon prime gets me better shipping options. Might order another of these...

seems the tiger direct price ballooned to $149.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
cool...might get a 2nd SSD now but I don't have a use for it. Have to make one up...maybe a games only drive?

Then what do I do with my Velociraptor?
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
Just in case you have some cash left over - the 128GB M4's are going for $110 right now.
http://www.circuitcity.com/applicati...WdHBppPqOzv4sQ

Saw this over at SlickDeals
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/733...-state-drive-ssd-ct128m4ssd2?&page=3#comments

Make that $100 if you get it from TD and use a Visa card. - see post 50 here .. http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/733...-state-drive-ssd-ct128m4ssd2?&page=4#comments

Naw, 128gb isn't enough for my main rig, my work rig will do just fine with the old 80gb x25m g2, and my wife already has a 160gb 320 series in her laptop. I am cautiously optimistic that I won't need to update my ssd's for 5-6 years on the low end, and over a decade if I'm really lucky.