Which M.2 SSD to buy?

[jaydee]

I'm looking for a ~250GB SSD for an HP Elitedesk 800 G2 mini. It has a 500GB HD that I intend on keeping for storage, so I'll be purchasing an M.2 drive for OS and app installs.

I've done a fair amount of research and I think I'm down to these four, but if there are more opinions out there, please let me know:

Samsung SM951 (NVMe + MLC) for $120, ebay, OEM pull
Samsung PM951 (NVMe + TLC) for $78, ebay, OEM pull
SanDisk x400 (SATA + TLC) for $90, new, 5-year warranty
Crucial MX200 (SATA + MLC) for $90, new, 3-year warranty

I'm trying to be cost conscious here, and I'm really not a power user, so I don't need top-level performance for a lot more money. That being said, performance is always nice if the price difference is negligible. I do want reliability, and while there's no certainty about any SSD's longevity, I'm not really sure what to think about TLC yet.

I guess the big question is, where do we rank these in terms of expected reliability, and how much of a difference is there between the 1 and 2; 2 and 3; 3 and 4?

 

[bigi]

Samsungs are fine. Get any of those OEMs and call it a day.

I got OEM 256GB and have used it in PCI-E adapter card for my photos.

 

[UsandThem]

Everyday users just doing normal tasks and launching programs won't really see the difference with NVMe drives. That said, if you want one, go for it. Nothing wrong with having one.

TLC is fine. I have used both TLC and MLC drives for years now, and they're all doing just fine. Although some people are weary of TLC's durability. The one thing I personally like is hardware with warranties just in the off chance I get a dud.

You can pick up m.2 850 EVOs with warranties as well (250 GB $94 at Newegg). Although that Sandisk x400 has favorable reviews as well.

 

[wpcoe]

The one thing I personally like is hardware with warranties just in the off chance I get a dud.

But, aren't those two Samsung NVMe drives OEM drives with no manufacturer warranty? I've been tempted to buy one of them, too, but the warranty and support issue gives me pause.

 

[UsandThem]

But, aren't those two Samsung NVMe drives OEM drives with no manufacturer warranty? I've been tempted to buy one of them, too, but the warranty and support issue gives me pause.

Yeah, the system pulls from Ebay he listed probably don't have a warranty unless the seller is offering one.

But buying the m.2 950 Pro from a retailer should have the normal warranty which I believe is 5 years.

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16820147466

It's pretty much full price right now, but at point Fry's had a short in-store and online sale of the 256 GB for $128 I believe.

 

[jaydee]

Yeah, the system pulls from Ebay he listed probably don't have a warranty unless the seller is offering one.

But buying the m.2 950 Pro from a retailer should have the normal warranty which I believe is 5 years.

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16820147466

It's pretty much full price right now, but at point Fry's had a short in-store and online sale of the 256 GB for $128 I believe.

Thanks guys. Ya I figure there's not going to be an actual warranty on the OEM pulls. I'm not as concerned about getting a free replacement if it dies sometime as much as the general hassle. It's not like it is inherently less reliable just because it came from an OEM (thus no warranty). If it does die within a would-be warranty period it is what it is, maybe I can snag a 512GB or 1TB SSD for a reasonable price anyway.

All that said, I ended up buying the PM951 for $78 on ebay (which, according to seller, is from an Optiplex).