Need help picking SSD - only storage on system

[Grit]

I've looked at benchmarks everywhere and read tons... I still can't figure SSDs out.

I have a new intel 3770K system with a GTX 680 and want to replace my Corsair C300 256GB with a larger/faster SSD. It is and will be the ONLY storage on the computer. All music/photos/etc are stored on my home server. This is OS, applications, and about 10 games.

Its a desktop machine, I'm the only user, and I primarily run 1-3 apps at a time, usually MS office, Firefox, disk/system utilities, and games, with AV and a few other limited things in the background.

I want the system to FEEL as fast as possible. I also want games to load as FAST as possible (yes, *I* care if it takes 10 seconds to load a level vs 15 seconds). Finally, it'd be nice to have programs INSTALL as fast as possible, though that's my last requirement.

I looked at the Samsung 830 series, the Kingston HyperX (or any other Sandforce), and the Plextor M3 Pro. Even Anand's benchmarks show a significant difference between these drives in SOME metrics. What I just can't figure out is WHICH measurements to look at to make my decision. I'd greatly appreciate ANY help.

Thanks!

 

[bryanW1995]

Anandtech light duty benchmark is a good one to use, and the MOASB is ok as well.

For what you want I'd go for 2 830's in raid 0. Is 512 gab enough for you?

 

[Grit]

Yes, but I was trying to dodge Raid to avoid TRIM / garbage collection problems. Then again, i don't know if "real world" will need/use/cause those problems... 🙁

But yes, 512 should be plenty. I just don't know WHICH drive type (Marvel, Samsung, Sandforce) to purchase. 🙁

 

[saratoga172]

Amazon has the crucial m4 512 for 420.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Wuzup101]

Amazon has the crucial m4 512 for 420.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Buy.com has them for just under $400: http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-m4-5...221150377.html

 

[saratoga172]

Damn. Free shipping too. Killer price. I wonder if I could get amazon to match. Free 2 day ship would be nice. I'm tempted now.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

If only Amazon.ca has this for $420 I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. I already have 2 240GB drives, but would really like to get a 512GB and throw one of the 240 into the desktop system.

512GB sizes still carry a premium up here in Canada.

 

[zod96]

Either a 512GB Samsung 830 or Crucial M4 can't go wrong with either drive both fast and reliable.....

 

[perdomot]

I'm running a C300 64GB SSD and was going to replace it when I noticed that the 4K reads of top drives was actually less. Run the Crystal Disk benchmark on your current ssd and then check out reviews on the M4 and the 830 and compare the 4K reads. Its this metric that really gives the OS that snappy feeling, not the higher sequential speeds. Please post a screen shot if you can.

 

[ensign_lee]

I'm running a C300 64GB SSD and was going to replace it when I noticed that the 4K reads of top drives was actually less. Run the Crystal Disk benchmark on your current ssd and then check out reviews on the M4 and the 830 and compare the 4K reads. Its this metric that really gives the OS that snappy feeling, not the higher sequential speeds. Please post a screen shot if you can.

Yeah. What he said. Honestly, if you already have a 256GB C300, you should just get a 2TB Caviar Green or something to hold your media. It would be better, and you wouldn't have to go thorugh the trouble of reinstalling.

 

[beginner99]

Yeah. What he said. Honestly, if you already have a 256GB C300, you should just get a 2TB Caviar Green or something to hold your media. It would be better, and you wouldn't have to go through the trouble of reinstalling.

I don't disagree in general but I he said his media files are on a server already.

@OP

The newest intel RST drivers support trim over RAID 0. Not sure if they are officially released yet but I do think so.