Some SSD questions

[frankthetank195]

So I just started working again, so that means it's that time again; time to upgrade! My first order of business is to improve my read/write speed by purchasing at least one SSD.

First of all, is the increased performance of a RAID 0 worth the loss of TRIM? The speed of multiple SSDs in a RAID would be blistering at first, but as the memory decays from lack of TRIM would I notice a large decline in speed? Can I still manually execute TRIM, because I know that's somehow possible. Also, is it possible/wise to install windows over this RAID? I'd love to have a great boot time.

Next, I've read mixed review of OCZ products. Everything I've read about the products makes it sound like they work great...if they work. It seems it'd be hard to make an SSD that breaks that easily, but I'd like to have anandtech users let me know what they think. I'm also considering Samsung, Intel, and Crucial. Input on brand?

Finally, what do you think is the sweet spot for price/capacity? I was thinking this Crucial M4 would be perfect. A 256GB RAID for $240 seems about right.

 

[Blain]

* What is your usage that you feel the need for a RAID 0 array?
* You understand about 100% data loss should one of the drives die, correct?
* I avoid OCZ products
* Crucial, Samsung or Plextor

 

[MrX8503]

Trim now supports Raid 0 on intel chipset 7.

Along with the drives mentioned above the OCZ Vector is nice as well. Pricy though.

For performance/$, you can't go wrong with M4s. I have 3 M4s and they've all been great. M5s come out this summer I believe.

 

[frankthetank195]

* What is your usage that you feel the need for a RAID 0 array?
* You understand about 100% data loss should one of the drives die, correct?
* I avoid OCZ products
* Crucial, Samsung or Plextor

*What do you mean?
*yes, which is why id like to avoid an ocz

Trim now supports Raid 0 on intel chipset 7

I have an Asrock 990FX AMD board, so that's not a possibility.

 

[Charlie98]

Personally, for normal useage, a single 256GB SSD from one of the manufacturers you mention (Samsung, Intel, and Crucial... to that I would add Plextor,) would serve you well. You can get one for around $200 (the 840Pro was $199 at NE earlier this week) and, as I understand it, the 256GB size is the most efficient performance-wise (vs a 64GB or a 500GB, et al. ) Why add the complexity of a RAID if you don't need it? (redundant backup not withstanding.)

 

[frankthetank195]

Personally, for normal useage, a single 256GB SSD from one of the manufacturers you mention (Samsung, Intel, and Crucial... to that I would add Plextor,) would serve you well. You can get one for around $200 (the 840Pro was $199 at NE earlier this week) and, as I understand it, the 256GB size is the most efficient performance-wise (vs a 64GB or a 500GB, et al. ) Why add the complexity of a RAID if you don't need it? (redundant backup not withstanding.)

I would just like the added speed. I don't really need it, but I think that's the joy of system building; putting things in just because I can. I don't need an i7, but I want one. I don't need SLI, but I want it. That's a reason I like building.

I'd put my OS, browser, and often played games onto the RAID, along with MS office.

 

[kbp]

Idle time / GC should work just fine.

 

[frankthetank195]

Idle time / GC should work just fine.

Does the M4 I linked up above have efficient GC? Will most all SSDs now?