Second SSD

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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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I use the SanDisk Extreme SSD for my OS (which I really like, so far), but I would like a second SSD to store my data, which is currently residing on a HDD. I've gone through the sticky's on this forum, but there are so many options that my head is spinning. :eek:

I'm looking for a mid-range (i.e., approx $400) SSD with ~500 GB capacity, in the SATA III category, of course. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
 
MontyAC

MontyAC

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Feb 28, 2004
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Either one is a good choice. I would lean towards the Plextor for the longer warranty.
 
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dagamer34

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Aug 15, 2005
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Anyone know why the M4 SSDs are so cheap compared to everything else out there?
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Thanks all. Looks like the Plextor is the way to go. But I've heard a lot recently about the upcoming M5. Couple of questions -- any reason to wait as opposed to purchasing the SSD mentioned above, and, if I go with Plextor, should I use it for the OS and the SanDisk Extreme for my data?

Thanks again! :thumbsup:
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
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dagamer34 said:
Anyone know why the M4 SSDs are so cheap compared to everything else out there?
Click to expand...

They aren't when compared to everything, because there are cheaper (Example: Agility 4 512GB was $300 a couple times recently). However, it is probably one of the older drives on the market, and loses out on benchmarks to many other drives. However, it is still a top choice.

If it makes you feel any better in spending more money, the money saved on buying an M4 can be sent to me. I accept PayPal. :D
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the question below before I proceed. Thanks again!!!

Thanks all. Looks like the Plextor is the way to go. But I've heard a lot recently about the upcoming M5. Couple of questions -- any reason to wait as opposed to purchasing the SSD mentioned above, and, if I go with Plextor, should I use it for the OS and the SanDisk Extreme for my data?
 
Hellhammer

Hellhammer

AnandTech Emeritus
Apr 25, 2011
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trclac said:
Thanks all. Looks like the Plextor is the way to go. But I've heard a lot recently about the upcoming M5. Couple of questions -- any reason to wait as opposed to purchasing the SSD mentioned above, and, if I go with Plextor, should I use it for the OS and the SanDisk Extreme for my data?
Click to expand...

The M5S and M5 Pro have already been announced and the M5S is actually available too (M5 Pro is coming later this month). However, M5S tops out at 256GB so you'd have to jump for M5 Pro to get 512GB, which will likely cost around $600.

The M3 is a great SSD for the price. Not much slower than M5 Pro anyway.
 
Jocelyn84

Jocelyn84

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Mar 21, 2010
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Hellhammer said:
The M5S and M5 Pro have already been announced and the M5S is actually available too (M5 Pro is coming later this month). However, M5S tops out at 256GB so you'd have to jump for M5 Pro to get 512GB, which will likely cost around $600.

The M3 is a great SSD for the price. Not much slower than M5 Pro anyway.
Click to expand...

This^ I don't own the 512GB flavor, but the M3 is a great product...

m33gz.jpg
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Jocelyn84 said:
This^ I don't own the 512GB flavor, but the M3 is a great product...

m33gz.jpg
Click to expand...

How did you manage a score of 937? I have a new P8Z77-V Deluxe with the i5-3570k CPU, with my SanDisk Extreme connected to the Intel 6/Gb port (using iaStor), but my score is usually in the high 500 range, with the occasional 600. I've never come close to 937, even though the alignment is correct, etc.
 
Jocelyn84

Jocelyn84

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Mar 21, 2010
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trclac said:
How did you manage a score of 937? I have a new P8Z77-V Deluxe with the i5-3570k CPU, with my SanDisk Extreme connected to the Intel 6/Gb port (using iaStor), but my score is usually in the high 500 range, with the occasional 600. I've never come close to 937, even though the alignment is correct, etc.
Click to expand...

AS SSD uses incompressible data and Sandforce doesn't handle incompressible data as well as Marvell or Samsung. That's why SF SSD rated speeds aren't really as important.
Oh and my alignment (gpt) is correct as well, in case you thought it wasn't :)

Edit: I don't mean to rub salt in the wound, but even my laptop hits 578 in the secondary (Sata II) bay.

plextor.jpg
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Jocelyn84 said:
AS SSD uses incompressible data and Sandforce doesn't handle incompressible data as well as Marvell or Samsung. That's why SF SSD rated speeds aren't really as important.
Oh and my alignment (gpt) is correct as well, in case you thought it wasn't :)

Edit: I don't mean to rub salt in the wound, but even my laptop hits 578 in the secondary (Sata II) bay.

plextor.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks. As for the alignment, I didn't mean to imply your alignment is off; I only mentioned it because that's usually the first thing people bring up when I mention what seems to be a low score. I just couldn't understand why my score always seems so much lower than others' when I'm using an Intel SATA III connector and iaStor. But your remarks regarding the SanDisk SSD makes sense.

As for your edit ... D:
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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And it was a sufficient reason to convince the wife to allow me to grab one (even though it's only a $30 savings -- female logic). o_O
 
Jocelyn84

Jocelyn84

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Mar 21, 2010
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LOL just be honest. Also it's way more than a $30 savings. First go look anywhere else (Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Plextor-512GB-...82E16820249018 ) and you will see it retailing for $600-$700.

Also, and more importantly, the Plextor M3 512GB was $600 @ Newegg until Wednesday, August 28. Proof - http://camelegg.com/product/N82E16820249018

Edit: ROFL I totally misread your post! I read it on my phone and thought it said wanting a reason to convince your wife, because she thought $30 savings wasn't enough! Female logic ;)

Edit2: Don't be surprised if your benchmarks don't look like mine. You will need to change your minimum processor state to 100% under power options in Windows and disable EIST/Speedstep & C-states in the bios as well. Even without those tweaks, you should still be in the 800s somewhere.

In the meantime, this is an excellent thread to take a lookout if you get bored waiting for your M3. Of course it will only be relevant if you plan to reinstall - http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Thanks again! And I notice you're in OkC. I was born and raised there, but relo'd to Houston four years ago for my job. That Devon tower going up downtown ... well, it looks a bit out of place in the OKC skyline. :)
 
Jocelyn84

Jocelyn84

Senior member
Mar 21, 2010
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Funny you bring that up as I relocate for work every year or so. I'm originally from Philly and while I'm not incredibly fond of OKC, it's way better than Pittsburgh. Living in the city of Pittsburgh, you couldn't go anywhere from 2-7PM without being deadlocked in traffic for hours due to bridges, tunnels, construction & sports event. Anyway, I'm thankful OKC is a young city, wasn't built on three rivers around mountains, and has plenty of roads & highways lol. Oh and it is very inexpensive here, which I like :)
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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We live in the burbs west of Houston. Great value for the money regarding house prices, but my commute downtown sounds like your former commute ... takes me 1.5 hours each way to travel 35 miles downtown and back. And that's after they widened I-10 so that it has as many as 16 lanes in places. Houston's great ... the traffic stinks.
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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I ended up purchasing the Plextor PX-512M3. However, ever since I installed it, when I run AS SSD, I receive the following error when the test reaches Acc.time (Read) -- "Could Not Open Device \\.\ PHYSICALDRIVE1."

I've researched this error but can't find a solution. However, the system seems to be working fine (and AHCI is enabled). Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
Jocelyn84

Jocelyn84

Senior member
Mar 21, 2010
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Are you running an antivirus and/or real time anti malware? If so, disable them in MSCONFIG (startup/services tabs), reboot and try running AS SSD again. If you're not running an AV, other things running in the background have been know to cause this, like HWMonitor. I'd either reboot with as few start up programs as necessary or close unneeded processes in task manager and run it again.

Edit: Could you post a screenshot of AS SSD?
 
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trclac

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Jul 21, 2012
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Yes, I have Norton 360 running, but, before installing the Plextor, it never interfered with AS SSD.

And a really dumb question ... I can't get the stupid screenshot to embed in this post. What's the secret for inserting a screenshot on this forum? Thanks.
 
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