Time to try SSD?

[SeanFL]

I'm going to build a new workstation mainly used for audio editing, some video.

Wondering out loud: is it time to try an SSD drive for my OS?

For instance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231220
64 gig SSD G.Skill SSD with great read and write times.

There's also this from OCZ:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227372

Is there a downside to going this way with an XP pro or Vista setup?

Sean

 

[Blain]

Audio and video files can be quite large depending on compression or lack thereof.
I would stay away from the tiny SSD drives all together.
Grab a 300GB VelociRaptor for it's performance and higher capacity per buck (compaired to SSD's).

The Intel X25-E is pretty much king of the SSD hill.
Read Here how it compairs to other SSDs as well as standard HDs.
Pay particular attention to benchmarks in-line with the applications similar to what you'll be using.

Bang For The Buck Scale
* 640GB WD "Blue" @ $74.99
* 1TB WD "Black" @ $119.99
* 300GB VelociRaptor @ $199.99 AR)
* 32GB Intel X25-E @ $725.99

 

[jae]

I would save the money get two WD 640GB Black

 

[corkyg]

For digital imagery work and stordage, not yet! Wait until SSDs reach 256 GB at least. And then, maybe a bit longer. With video work and imagery processing, size is more important than gee whiz technology. Give it another year. Prices should come down as well.

The WDC BLack 640s is an excellent suggestion.

 

[Jiggz]

Originally posted by: jae
I would save the money get two WD 640GB Black

:thumbsup:

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: Jiggz

Originally posted by: jae
I would save the money get two WD 640GB Black

:thumbsup:

This is what I did. Very glad I did.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=3403&p=9

 

[SeanFL]

Thanks for the feedback. To clarify I would only be using the drive for my OS. All audio/video data would be on another hard drive. Sean

 

[squigglyline]

Originally posted by: SeanFL
Thanks for the feedback. To clarify I would only be using the drive for my OS. All audio/video data would be on another hard drive. Sean

I am doing the exact same thing. Just started a build and plan on utilizing VelociRaptors for everything except the OS. My plan at this point is to install Vista 64 on the Intel X25-M however I'll likely follow this thread closely to explore other options/suggestions.

 

[SniperWulf]

Can't speak for anyone else, but until the $ to GB ratio gets better and the performance gets even remotely close to the X25-M, I'm staying away

 

[Denithor]

All current generation cheap MLC drives suffer from low random write speeds which can cause system hesitation or stuttering. That's unacceptable in a system you're building for audio/video editing (seriously, you'll love it - until your system hangs for literally a second during recording or something).

Best option right now is Velociraptor (300GB for $200) or just get the Caviar Black drive (WD6401AALS, 640GB for $80).

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: SeanFL
Thanks for the feedback. To clarify I would only be using the drive for my OS. All audio/video data would be on another hard drive. Sean

well then it better have an intel controller.

 

[dbcooper1]

How about putting OS and applications on it and data and swap file on a drive so that after installation, the vast majority of operations on SSD are reads rather than writes?

 

[dbcooper1]

How about putting OS and applications on it and data and swap file on a drive so that after installation, the vast majority of operations on SSD are reads rather than writes?

Oops, there seems to be an echo in here..

 

[Denithor]

I've heard that can work. Point your tmp/temp folders, temporary internet files and pagefile onto the other disk to minimize random writes to the SSD. Turn off automatic disk defragmentation if using Vista.

But above all else, if you go this path, test thoroughly before using for anything meaningful to make sure you aren't going to lose something important if your SSD stumbles at a bad time.

 

[0roo0roo]

er well if you can afford ssd you can afford to replace the drive before it fails from writes.

 

[Blain]

"There really is only once choice here in the HDD desktop market.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3483&p=2">That being the WD VelociRaptor 300GB (WD3000GLFS) drive featuring 10K RPM platters, 32MB Cache, incredible performance, and very good acoustics and thermals for a drive in this category.
Without moving to high end SSD or SAS drives</a>"

 

[Agamar]

I got the Intel X-25M for my Dell laptop, and so far I am pleased with it. The read speeds are amazing, and the write speed is fast for a laptop. Without the old hard drive the laptop is much more quiet, also. Benchmarks are a bit slower than what I have found online, but are still much faster than the old 7K200-120 Hitachi drive it replaced (which, at the time, was the fastest out).