RAM & SSD For Thinkpad X230

[LokiChaos]

I have a Thinkpad X230 on it's way. Since Lenovo overcharges for RAM and drive upgrades: I went with the base 4GB and 500GB HDD (10$ more than the 320GB 7200rpm one, figured 10$ was worth it for the extra space in an external drive). I plan to purchase RAM and SSD upgrades while I wait for it to arrive. I was looking at Corsair 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (to match the 4GB already installed). I don't forsee a need for 16GB of ram (and I feel that the extra cost is better spend on the SSD). I could probably use it with VMs, but I am fine with waiting until I actively need it. Newegg link: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233241) I am less clear on the SSD. I plan to run linux and use dm-crypt on at least some partitions. I have read reviews (mostly here), looked at benchmarks (again mostly here), and scanned owner feedback (mostly newegg, and other sites). I am trying to decide between a 128GB or a 256GB, and brands/lines. The X230 supports SATA3 and has a 2.5" bay (7mm height!). I value reliability and low power consumption over performance (not to say it doesn't matter, but 3% faster write speeds isn't worth 30% greater power draw). Since I will be using encryption, most of the data will be incompressible, which SSD lines handle that best? (I read that sandforce controllers take a performance hit) The top two contenders for me at the moment are Crucial M4 and Intel 520. Are there other brands/lines I should look more closely at?

 

[Coup27]

RAM - If the laptop comes with a single 4GB stick and you wish to buy another one, it is generally considered good practice to purchase "dual channel kits" - or at least kits from the same manufacturer with the same part number. I am not saying an alternative with the same voltage, speed and timings won't work, but if you wish to run dual channel it's ideal to use identical DIMMS.

SSD - Samsungs 830 is 7mm high and Crucial do a 7mm high m4. Personally they are the only two SSDs I would consider. Everything else is either Sandforce or OCZ, neither of which I would buy or recommend.

 

[hhhd1]

Samsung, Crucial, Plextor are all good SSD producers.

not sure if Plextor do a 7mm SSD or not.

 

[LokiChaos]

Thank you. I think I will go with a Crucial m4, unless I see a better deal on a Samsung 830 first. I would prefer to have a dual channel setup, so I guess I should decide between 2x4 or 2x8 or hold off for a good deal. Now it's just a matter of how much I want to spend...