Intel 320 vs. 510 - SSD Reliability

[Voider]

Hey guys.

I've read many posts about Intel 320 vs. 510 however did not find the definite answer as my needs are different than someone else's.

I am going to buy a Lenovo Thinkpad W520 (16Gb RAM) for HD Video Editing with Premiere while also using Virtualization VMs which stresses the system quite a bit, and many apps opened concurrently. So I would say I am a pretty heavy duty user.

So performance does matter to me a lot but so do reliability. I've had reliability issues in the past with OCZ Vertex which I will never go back to.

Now I have narrowed my choice between the Intel 320 300Gb tro the Intel 510, 250gb.

What's the real world difference for an intensive user between the 510 and the 320. I understand SATA 3 is gold but reliability as I've heard is somewhat lower (plus some possible issues with Thinkpads? though only rumors).

Being that the INTEL 320 is yesterday's technology, and the Intel 510 is today's technology (and also near future). I was wondering if it would still make more sense to go for the Intel 320, 300gb rather than the Intel 510, 250gb. Money is not an issue, so price difference doesn't matter for me on this one.

Reliability matters a lot but so does performance, I have had an OCZ Vertex 250gb before which had issues which screwed up dozens of my files and many other people on the web reported the same. So now no more adventures for me.

 

[Blain]

Go with the 320, it's 5 year warranty and do regular backups.

 

[Voider]

Go with the 320, it's 5 year warranty and do regular backups.

I only need my drive to live for 2 years, that's enough for me. As I change drives every 2 years anyway.

But given that Intel offers 5 years warrenty for the 320 and only 3 years for the 510, maybe it means the 510 is somewhat less reliable ? Although it's better tech than the 320 one.

A recent post on PC World (About 5 days ago) reveals Intel 320 has a serious bug. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent..._ssd_320_bug_working_on_firmware_upgrade.html

 

[reb0rn]

yeah there should be firmware update for intel 320 series in few days, if they fix the "bug" it will be most reliable ssd atm..

 

[Athadeus]

Doesn't that problem have to do with the system losing power suddenly? That should never happen on a laptop.

 

[Voider]

Doesn't that problem have to do with the system losing power suddenly? That should never happen on a laptop.

Everything can happen INCLUDING losing power suddenly. I have my X200 serviced once due to an issue with the motherboard and it was losing power unexpectedly. One looking for reliability can never count on a Laptop never to have that issue only to lose all the data while on a business trip other side of the globe remaining with a no data

 

[taltamir]

Doesn't that problem have to do with the system losing power suddenly? That should never happen on a laptop.

That should never happen on a desktop either...
To avoid the bug tell windows to "shut down" rather then holding down the power button until power is cut. Even then, it has to happen repeatedly.

 

[soundasleep]

That should never happen on a desktop either...
To avoid the bug tell windows to "shut down" rather then holding down the power button until power is cut. Even then, it has to happen repeatedly.

There are users reporting that they have gotten the 320 "8MB bug" without a power loss of any kind. Recent example: Intel forum post #31

 

[aceO07]

Go with the 510 since it's faster. Also since money is not an issue, maybe you can set it up for RAID1 and also do daily external backup.

 

[e-drood]

"loss of power" in "8mb bug" in this case refers to internal (to ssd) event & encompasses state of drive (ssd) --- external system sleep or shutdown is coincidental event --- the 320 issue is internal event

pls wait for firmware update...

 

[taltamir]

There are users reporting that they have gotten the 320 "8MB bug" without a power loss of any kind. Recent example: Intel forum post #31

interesting. well, firmware update is incoming soon.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Why are you trying to edit video on a laptop? Premiere w/H.264 is unbearable without some RAID.

 

[soundasleep]

Someone finally got a response from Intel tech support (via phone) about the 320 problem here. Basically, they said they HOPE to have a firmware update in the next few weeks. But it's not guaranteed.

Another person is claiming here that Intel told him there is NO timeframe for the fix and advised him to return the drive and buy a different brand. Not sure if I believe that one.