ssd price decrease in the near future ?

[hhhd1]

i've been planing to buy an ssd, and then i saw 2 new ssd's scheduled to be released in the next week (intel 330 and vertex 4), and i wonder, could this cause a price drop 'soon' in the current available ssd's or not.

my question is, should i wait about a week or so to buy a crucial m4 or just go for it already ?

 

[Coup27]

The main factor which helps in reducing the price of an SSD is the manufacturing process of the NAND flash. So I would not expect these two SSDs to affect the prices of current models.

Regarding the m4, the m4 has consistently been one of the cheapest SSDs on the market and will still be cheaper than the yet to be released above drives. Because of this that won't affect the m4's price.

 

[groberts101]

I would have to agree for the most part as well. Although, those 2 previously mentioned models will affect prices for drives from those particular mfgrs to some degree.

Prices are already pretty decent as it is and the biggest drops on current models will come shortly before and after the newer Marvell and Sandforce controllers come to market later on this year. I wouldn't expect the current prices to fluctuate much more than about 10-15% at most until that happens. Might see some decent rebates here and there if you're patient, though.

 

[Coup27]

roberts do you know anything about the Intel 330? Makes no sense to me to release another 2281 based drive. What would be the point?

Years ago the X25-M and to a slightly lesser extent the 320 sold so well because they were solid drives in a world of 3Gbps and shaky competition.

The competition have largely got their act together now so with the m4, 830 and their own 520, I don't believe the safe heaven of the "good old Intel consumer drive" market is still there, and if it is, I don't believe it's anywhere the size it used to be. Would think Intel would be better off sticking with the 520 and 320.

 

[sequoia464]

Prices are already pretty decent as it is and the biggest drops on current models will come shortly before and after the newer Marvell and Sandforce controllers come to market later on this year.

It's hard to find much info, but some sites are suggesting that the new Marvell controllers are already shipping. Any idea what that would mean as far as a release date for the new drives built with that controller - if indeed they have shipped.

 

[Elixer]

It's hard to find much info, but some sites are suggesting that the new Marvell controllers are already shipping. Any idea what that would mean as far as a release date for the new drives built with that controller - if indeed they have shipped.

Not sure why people would rush to get the newest version from either, unless you just get stuff for the heck of it. Even if it was the speed king, for most people, reliability is the #1 factor, and it usually takes 6-12 months to get the kinks out.

 

[bryanW1995]

m4 has had some extremely good deals, recently approaching $1/gb on both 256gb and 512 gb ssd's. I don't know that this is related to the upcoming marvell/sandforce offerings, but it's certainly possible.

 

[sequoia464]

Not sure why people would rush to get the newest version from either, unless you just get stuff for the heck of it. Even if it was the speed king, for most people, reliability is the #1 factor, and it usually takes 6-12 months to get the kinks out.

You have a valid point. Reliability is my main concern also.

I feel fairly secure though with Crucial SSD's, the only big issue I know of with the M4's was the 5000 hour bug and they dealt with that fairly promptly. I think the early firmware had some issues with certain Mac hardware also, not certain now about that. I have a couple of M4's and so far, knock on wood, no issues.

I have actually had pretty good luck with my SSD's, my M4's, Intel X25's, and even Kingston Toshiba based drives have all been issue free.

As far as Sandforce,.... I have a couple of the 1st generation drives - they are sitting in a box somewhere out in the garage.

 

[imaheadcase]

Right now no point to wait besides price concerns you. Nothing "better" is coming out. Its not like you as a user are going to notice a difference at this point.

 

[Soulkeeper]

newegg had a promo code for the M4 128GB for $130 free shipping
it's over now, but I think that's where we are headed

 

[groberts101]

It's hard to find much info, but some sites are suggesting that the new Marvell controllers are already shipping. Any idea what that would mean as far as a release date for the new drives built with that controller - if indeed they have shipped.

Not really sure bud. But when they are finally here?.. it won't take much of a search to find them as they'll surely be plastering the front page of all the major sites.

Larger DDR3 ram capability and a few other advancements should do well to improve workstation loads regardless of those who don't need or even think that performance is perceivable. Even in real light or heavy workloads.. newer faster processors(controllers) with bigger cache, faster nand and tweaked firmware do make a difference. Not to mention that they will pave the way for next gen nand.

Is it worth the money for that last 10% gain?.. who am I to say what "you" need or anyone else will like, right? The trend for lower latency, faster on the fly recovery and more IOPS will continue regardless. And I for one will take it... at least x2 and preferably x4. lol

 

[jhansman]

When Samsung's 830s get down to $1/GB, I'm all in. My little M4 is serving me well for now, but I want more elbow room on my C: drive. Patience, patience...

 

[razel]

i've been planing to buy an ssd, and then i saw 2 new ssd's scheduled to be released in the next week (intel 330 and vertex 4), and i wonder, could this cause a price drop 'soon' in the current available ssd's or not.

my question is, should i wait about a week or so to buy a crucial m4 or just go for it already ?

If I could predict market prices, I'd be working in a different industry and be a very rich man. Just buy when you see a sale price near $1.25/GB. <$1GB has been been at least 7 times this year, but they're primarily SandForce entry level version drives.