SSD's as Main Hard drive?

[Sonokamome]

Hello I can't seem to decide as to what kind of hard drive to go for when building my next PC: HDD or SSD. Now if it's going to be an HDD I would go for something like a 10,000 RPM (Something like this for instance). But if it were an SSD as a main hard drive to use for installing a copy of Windows in it (let's say vista for now since I will build this system once Windows 7) I would go for Something like this.

Now here's the thing where I am not so sure. SSD's go out without any warning, or so I understand, whenever it's time for them to go out. Also, it's a fairly new piece of hardware and I am not so sure if running a system that's sitting on an SSD instead of a tried-and-true HDD is such a good idea.

The purpose for this system that I'm building? Gaming primarily, and then the usual stuff (word, spread, etc, etc). I know that would might be best is just to, in order to make myself feel safe would be to just simply stick with a fast 10,000 RPM but then the issue of heat comes in and between the two examples we all might know who wins in that dept (not to mention also one being quieter than the other hands down).

I don't....what do you guy's think?

 

[0roo0roo]

no prob as boot drive
not all ssd are equal
not all are high performance.
highest performing at the moment are the intel ones.

 

[Sonokamome]

Hmm....I see. I should have elaborated a bit OrooOroo, what I mean to say was that the SSD was going to be the boot drive and the gaming drive was going to be an HDD. So I guess I will be fine with sticking with a Super Talent I guess (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16820609333). Hmm....choices choices....

 

[ViRGE]

If you haven't already, you should read this AnandTech article covering SSDs. It goes in to a good explanation of the problems with current MLC-based drives, which you'll want to avoid.

 

[corkyg]

Echo what Virge said. Unless you are filthy rich, in these economic times it doesn't make much sense to pay 6 to 8 times the cost of a standard HDD for a lesser amount of storage unless it gives you a 6 to 8 X increase in performnce - and, that such performance is mission critical.

 

[Roguestar]

I think if you're going to be spending $HUGE on a hard drive, and you're just gaming, you had better have the fastest processor, the best graphics card and like 8GB of RAM before you notice it helping. That said, if you're in the market for a new drive you could check out the WD 1TB Caviar Black which is the single best non-raptor desktop drive, and it certainly doesn't break the bank like the raptors do.

 

[Sonokamome]

Thanks Virge for the suggestion I will read the article most definitely.

corkyg, I see what you are saying and it's the reason why I'm using the Windows 7 release (which as of now is not definite as it stands) as an indicator to start building the new system. This gives me time for me to make a decision and, hopefully, will allow prices for SSD's to drop dramatically as I make a decision. By then the kinks might have been worked out and ssd's become more..well..cheaper (but I've yet to read the article that Virge recommended me to read to get a full idea: so this last statement is subject to change).

Rougestar: to see if I get what you are saying then: that having a fast (assuming that the SSD's are faster than most HDDs-generally speaking) that it won't be actually felt until I get lots of RAM, a really good GPU, and really fast CPU? Thanks for the recommendation I will take it into consideration when looking for HDD's

I will come back to this thread to post once I've read the article and see what you guy's recommended. Thanks again and please subscribe to this thread so we can continue this conversation. Again thank you for replying

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Sonokamome
Thanks Virge for the suggestion I will read the article most definitely.

corkyg, I see what you are saying and it's the reason why I'm using the Windows 7 release (which as of now is not definite as it stands) as an indicator to start building the new system. This gives me time for me to make a decision and, hopefully, will allow prices for SSD's to drop dramatically as I make a decision. By then the kinks might have been worked out and ssd's become more..well..cheaper (but I've yet to read the article that Virge recommended me to read to get a full idea: so this last statement is subject to change).

Rougestar: to see if I get what you are saying then: that having a fast (assuming that the SSD's are faster than most HDDs-generally speaking) that it won't be actually felt until I get lots of RAM, a really good GPU, and really fast CPU? Thanks for the recommendation I will take it into consideration when looking for HDD's

I will come back to this thread to post once I've read the article and see what you guy's recommended. Thanks again and please subscribe to this thread so we can continue this conversation. Again thank you for replying

Basically if you're looking for performance in games, to feel the difference where you invest, spend your money in this order:
GPU > CPU > RAM > HDD
A blazing fast SSD and a mid-range graphics card isn't going to be nearly as good as a high-end graphics card and a standard drive!

 

[0roo0roo]

bingo, games don't swap to harddrive.
rams cheap and plenty. during game play only gpu/cpu matters much.
unless you buy top of the line ssd drives you might be getting less performance than youd think. if moneys no object well, raid ssd if you feel like it lol such such a fast drive there is no reason to buy a separate raptor for gaming. and if you buy a cheap ssd for the os then you would be better just installing windows on the raptor.

 

[Sonokamome]

I've just read the article. It seems then that SSD's, as where they stand as far as I'm concerned are not ready yet for prime time. There are a few things that need to be fixed. As for the fact that the super talent, OCZ, and a few others have the same controller and memory of the MLC category are under performers (and the fact that they are proliferated throughout the market) really makes me now think twice....

Now....the fact that Intel's plan to add those two utilities for SSD's (which are, as 0roo0roo said, pretty sweet) that they sell in order for you not to get caught off guard when your SSD dies is pretty sweet. But again these are plans for what is going to happen so in the mean time...I'm good.


I think the Veloci Raptors would be a good choice but instead I think I will just use a WD Caviar 500GB to start off my rig and then later expand the rig with an SSD or two once things are more or less better as far as price and performance factors are concerned.


So for future reference for those that are, or were after reading this thread, asking themselves that if right now is a good time to get an SSD to adopt as a HDD for making it a boot drive?....not really....come back later....


Again I would like to thank Virge for the suggestion for the article, Rougestar and OrooOroo for their replies, you guy's have been much help.

 

[Roguestar]

If you're going to go with a drive like the WD Caviar 500GB, get the 640GB instead. It uses two 320GB platters and has a higher data density and faster seek times.

 

[Sonokamome]

Ah! Yes I checked it out it was really good and for only $4.00 difference from the 500GB drive! Thanks Rougestar!

 

[Roguestar]

It's R-o-g-u-e-star but glad to be of help nonetheless.

 

[Sonokamome]

So sorry but thanks anyway!