Best bang for buck SSD for desktop OS drive

[sygyzy]

Hi,

I'd like to install Windows 7 on my desktop and want to get a SSD for a boot drive. I have plenty of 3.5" internal drives I can use for storage so that's not an issue. I am worried because I don't understand all these issues with SSD and TRIM. Since I am mostly using this for the OS, I need something for it and possibly My Documents and maybe Office. I don't want to deal with out of space issues so definitely not 20GB (since Win 7 probably takes 15-20 GB alone). So 40-80 GB?

What's the best bang for your buck drive right now that fits my needs? Thanks.

 

[Emulex]

x25-v

 

[flamenko]

Agreed...the X-25v has the higher random 4k reads and writes yet won't eat a hole in your pocket like the newer controller drives. You will have no problem fitting your applications on the drive as well.

 

[StormSide]

x25-v

This^^

I used it in my latest W7 x64 build. The thing flies! Boots up quick and apps snap right
open. I'm hoovering around 18GB free. I relocated My Docs and some other things to my
reg HD.

 

[jjmIII]

Or a Kingston 64gb if you want a little more space. These new ones have TRIM too.

Cheaper @ Frys with rebate till 27th.

 

[deimos3428]

What's the best bang for your buck drive right now that fits my needs? Thanks.

Might want to consider the Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive if you're price-sensitive.

 

[killster1]

Might want to consider the Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive if you're price-sensitive.

this might be a good laptop drive but desktops have more than one drive so dont need a 500gb hybrid drive. I just checked review. it sux! its not even better than a raptor ;/

 

[sygyzy]

Thanks for the advice guys. Is the only difference between the X25-V and X25-M is 40GB vs 80GB? I am concerned about the issues that I have read about "older generation" drives.

 

[sygyzy]

Update - Thanks everyone. I went ahead with the 40GB X25-V from mwave.com. Now I just need to figure out if there are any steps to installing Windows 7 on it ...

 

[flamenko]

No steps...straight swap and reinstall custom and full....nothing more. The first piece of advice I would give is to do a clean install as it gives you the opportunity to build the perfect beast one pirce at a time. There are a few other things you might want to read about and consider which you can find here. I would adviose to pay close attention to the information regarding System Restore although there are several other tricks that will help you get some SSD property back if you are looking for that.

 

[deimos3428]

this might be a good laptop drive but desktops have more than one drive so dont need a 500gb hybrid drive. I just checked review. it sux! its not even better than a raptor ;/

The OP has made a purchase decision so further argument is moot, but you really should read the review again.

The hybrid doesn't suck at all, it's just not quite as fast as a true SSD. The OP asked about "the best bang for your buck drive that fits his needs", and this drive clearly would do so very well if he were on a limited budget.

 

[flamenko]

Well, actually, the drive isn't quite as fast as a Raptor either but it is cost effective with respect to the price. Everyone is giving the drive glowing results but lets face it, it is still brand new technology which is open to all the pitfalls ssds have experienced and well, at least I expected much more in the results department.

I think people will jump simply at the belief that it is some sort of a SSD hybrid regardless.

 

[sygyzy]

Hi guys, just wanted to give you an update. I installed the 40GB Intel SSD yesterday in my PC, turned on AHCI in BIOS (never had it on previously, don't even know what it is) and installed Windows 7 Pro from a DVD. Had absolutely no problems. Windows boots in under 12 seconds now.

 

[Emulex]

no moving parts - no vibrational damage - hybrids still have that fault.