Which Sandforce-based SSD?

[Grinch80]

Been doing a ton of reseach for my first SSD but I'm having a hard time choosing. Looking at 120GB versions:

Gskill Phoenix Pro
Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe
OCZ Vertex 2
Corsair Force

Prices are all very close on Newegg, between $279 and $309. And the performance of the drives are virtually identical.

I've bought memory from all these companies over the years so I don't really have a vendor preference. All these guys have supported me when I needed it.

User experience (e.g., Newegg reviews) are somewhat light for these drives because they are all so new. So it's hard to tell which drives are failing (if any) in the real world.

I guess firmware is another dimension to consider, I read somewhere that OCZ gets first dibs but I could be wrong on this.

Thoughts?

 

[capeconsultant]

I have the same question. I wonder if they are all exactly the same??? Dave

 

[superccs]

At this point (being your first SSD) does it really matter? Finding one that has a capacity you can live with and the price you can deal with is the most important. They are going to destroy any HDD that you were switching from, why all the fuss?

I got a 60GB Agility for $140 and love it. From a 75Gb predator bird to the Agility, it was just insane. The jurassic park character just seemed slow in comparison. If you think you are going to notice the difference between a 128Gb Agility 2 and 160Gb Intel or other SSD you are wasting your time. Better to worry about how much hair loss your refrigerator causes.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

My personal preference was towards the OCZ or possibly the Corsair. I landed on the Vertex 2 and so far so good.

 

[Grinch80]

After a little more research, I think I'll pick up a Vertex 2. OCZ does appear to have a special relationship w/ Sandforce whereby they get first access to new firmwares.

The other issue is that OCZ, in addition to Intel, appear to be selling the most SSDs (if you sort on most reviews at Newegg, OCZ and Intel dominate the top of the list), which means that more people are beating the crap out of their drives, more feedback is coming in, etc. So there's the experience card as well.

Corsair would probably be my second choice; Re: Mushkin and Gskill, while I like their products, they just don't seem to have all that much experience in the SSD space yet.

 

[ZipSpeed]

I have a Vertex 2 and love it. Runs fantastic.

 

[Big Lar]

I'd say for the most part its a toss up. I have an OWC right now but when I upgrade I think I'll go with G.Skill as IMHO these drives operate 1 heck of a lot like Ram and I think they are just about the best. Just my preference i guess.

Larry

 

[coolVariable]

It's funny - OCZ drivers were horrible originally.
But they started their forums, worked with customers, continuously try to improve their drives through firmware ... and it is paying off.

 

[coolVariable]

It's funny - OCZ SSD drives were horrible originally.
But they started their forums, worked with customers, continuously try to improve their drives through firmware ... and it is paying off.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Lost my first OCZ Vertex LE 100g. I am affraid to re-install on the RMA drive. I also have another in my Gamer rig which is not too critical a machine.

The first Vertex LE I used the firmware prior to 1.10 for the majority of the SSD drives life and it killed it. The Vertex LE in my game rig has had the 1.10 firmware most of it's life but isn't used as much as my main rig so i'll have to wait a while before I re-install on my main/critical rig...

proceed with caution