Need help with choosing SSD

[repman244]

Ok I never really payed much attention on SSD but I decided I want to try it out with my laptop.
The laptop is an HP 8560W and it supports SATA 3 speeds, primarily I'm looking for a reliable drive (as fast as possible of course but if it doesn't work, speeds mean nothing).
I prefer the 120GB/128GB drives, 64GB wouldn't be enough and over 120GB is just too expensive.
So what would everyone recommend I should get? I myself have been leaning towards the Crucial M4 128GB, but I still haven't decided.
Other options are: Corsair F3 120GB, Patriot Pyro 120 GB, and the Vertex 3 drives but I heard horrible things about them, and as last I thought of the Intel 520 120GB which is slightly more expensive but I wouldn't mind if it's better than the M4.

Greatly appreciate any help/recommendation.

 

[Athlon2K15]

cant say no to the m4,its a great drive the vertex 3 and performance pro are also good

 

[Vulpesveritas]

I personally would say you'd be best off with the Patriot Pyro. Seeing as you might get an American made drive and it is twice as fast as an M4.
The sandforce controllers are nice and fast.

 

[Athlon2K15]

The Pyro would be better if it used synchronous NAND. Instead it uses cheap Asynchronous.

 

[repman244]

Thank you for the input so far, still wondering if the Intel 520 is better/more reliable than others.

 

[manofthem]

The Pyro would be better if it used synchronous NAND. Instead it uses cheap Asynchronous.

The Pyro SE uses synchronous NAND, $180 on Newegg, $140 after MIR.

But after reading several reports of SF drives losing speed over time and after reading the great Samsung reviews, I went with the Samsung 830. The 128gb Samsung is pretty awesome!
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB SATA I...

Edit: that link is for the desktop version which has a few software, 3.5 adapter, and maybe the batman game.

 

[Vulpesveritas]

It is, but I haven't read that on the SF drives. Link I could read? I'm intrigued.
And yes, the pyro SE does use synchronous.

 

[manofthem]

It is, but I haven't read that on the SF drives. Link I could read? I'm intrigued.
And yes, the pyro SE does use synchronous.

I found them in forums posts, not official reviews. The one I remember where (1 out of the 3 I believe I saw) was in this thread post 24
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1674863&page=2

If I stumble across others, I'll throw the link up. That thread encouraged me to get the 830.

 

[Athlon2K15]

Since your using this as your OS drive pay attention to the 50% fill numbers. Its the only thing that matters.As you can see the Vertex 3 will give you the most performance after you have data on the drive.

Yes the Samsung is a nice drive and if your a ssd techy like me you'll get the chance to play with 20nm toggle flash and samsung own 3 core arm controller. but i would just take the vertex 3 and run with it.

If you want the fastest drive available get the Sandisk Extreme.

 

[NanoTechSoldier]

I personally would say you'd be best off with the Patriot Pyro. Seeing as you might get an American made drive and it is twice as fast as an M4.
The sandforce controllers are nice and fast.

I was actually, going to say; The Patriot Sandforce Controllers (SATA3 Pyro SSD)

While, quite fast.. Their not performing, at full transfer rates (Windows 7) & need to be Defragged a lot etc.. (OS Drive)

Updating the firmware, is a bit of a pain too.. Because, Windows 7, uses a standard driver, for all drives..

Plus, I added a 2TB WD Caviar Green HDD (as a secondary) & It Slows down the system even more..

OCZ, do SSDs for Apple.. I think.. They Manufacture, compatible RAM, for MacPros etc 64GB Kit..

 

[manofthem]

I was actually, going to say; The Patriot Sandforce Controllers (SATA3 Pyro SSD)

While, quite fast.. Their not performing, at full transfer rates (Windows 7) & need to be Defragged a lot etc.. (OS Drive)

Who defrags an ssd?

 

[Vulpesveritas]

I was actually, going to say; The Patriot Sandforce Controllers (SATA3 Pyro SSD)

While, quite fast.. Their not performing, at full transfer rates (Windows 7) & need to be Defragged a lot etc.. (OS Drive)

Updating the firmware, is a bit of a pain too.. Because, Windows 7, uses a standard driver, for all drives..

Plus, I added a 2TB WD Caviar Green HDD (as a secondary) & It Slows down the system even more..

OCZ, do SSDs for Apple.. I think.. They Manufacture, compatible RAM, for MacPros etc 64GB Kit..

Why would you defrag an SSD, you do know defraging SSDs shortens their life, right?

 

[repman244]

but i would just take the vertex 3 and run with it.

I'm not sure, I heard a lot of complaints about their reliability (yes I know that all drives can/will fail). I don't think I will notice such small difference between the drives when they are almost full, or would I?

 

[maleaco]

Would all these SSD's mentioned work with an ASUS EEE PC?

 

[basco]

my vote goes to samsung too.

 

[RejZoR]

Samsung 830 or Crucial M4. If you're looking for cheap SandForce drive, A-DATA has some ridiculously low priced ones. And OCZ's Agility 3 as well.

 

[Bambooz]

It is, but I haven't read that on the SF drives. Link I could read? I'm intrigued.

Lifetime Throttling (or LTT) is the keyword. The firmware limits/cripples the speeds to make the SSDs survive the warranty period.

Only on Sandforce. Main reason I'll stay far away from any of them.

 

[manofthem]

If you want the fastest drive available get the Sandisk Extreme.

Newegg has a Shellshocker on a 128gb Sandisk Extreme for $130, no rebates.
SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-120G-G25 2.5" 120GB SATA II...

 

[WhiteNoise]

Thank you for the input so far, still wondering if the Intel 520 is better/more reliable than others.

It is. Intel make the most reliable SSD's. Not the fastest though but giving up a bit of speed for a reliable drive is okay in my book.