Need Clarification on buying SSD

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jamster7777

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Jul 6, 2012
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Ok, I am looking to buy an SSD to store my operating system and important programs on (mainly programs that boot when windows starts but also my browser). I think I will need to buy a 128/120gb ssd to store all of this. Main reason for buying is that I am doing a clean install of windows and I thought this would be a good time to reduce my normal 5 minute boot time. I plan to use this alongside my current 1TB harddrive and 1TB external hard drive.

I have been looking at Amazon and have seen a couple of ssds that look like a good buy, but I am new to storage hardware and need a bit of help clarifying things.

My motherboard is the AS Rock N68-VS3 FX. I think it is a sata 2 mobo. However, the ssds i am looking at are all sata 3. I have read elsewhere that it would still be a significant upgrade even if I am only using sata 2 speeds.

Anyway here are some of the SSDs I am looking at:

Crucial CT128M4SSD2 128GB M4 SATA III 6Gb/s MLC 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT128M4SSD2-128GB-SATA-Internal/dp/B004W2JKZI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1375713025&sr=8-5&keywords=ssd

Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5 inch SATA Solid State Drive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Series-120GB-Solid-State/dp/B009LI7C5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375713025&sr=8-1&keywords=ssd

SanDisk SDSSDP-128G-G25 128GB SATA 6GB/s 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-SDSSDP-128G-G25-128GB-SATA-Internal/dp/B007ZW2LY4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375714504&sr=8-1&keywords=128+ssd

I am sure there are plenty other good options out there but that is just what I have found from a quick browse of amazon.

What I really need to know is:

1) Are my motherboard and sata 3 ssds combatible, and is it worth the upgrade with only a sata 2 mobo?

2) Which is the best ssd for my price range? (£70-£80 (This is somewhat flexible))

3) Which is the best retailer to buy ssds from in the UK?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
Solution
aatje92
It is worth the upgrade even with Sata 2, and yest it will work. Best one would be the Samsung imo. Retailers in UK i can't help you with unfortunately
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jamster7777

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Thanks for the fast response, will wait for a couple more opinions before making a final decision but will take a closer look at the Samsung.
 
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mironso

mironso

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Hi, read this thread: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/290011-32-sata. Hope will explain you little bit about sata II & III.

I would go for samsung. If you can save some more money go for pro version.
 
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jamster7777

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Thanks for the advice, can you tell me what the difference is between the standard and pro versions?
 
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mad-max79

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The Pro is faster and meant for Pro users.
For usual home users the normal 840 is ok, but I would prefer the upcoming 840 Evo compared to the 840 non Pro, which should be available in the next weeks. The Evo can write faster, due to a SLC Cache.
 
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mironso

mironso

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The 840 uses TLC NAND while the 840 Pro uses MLC toggle NAND. Basically, the 840 Pro has improved performance characteristics (faster read/write speeds) and higher endurance (i.e. the flash cells can handle more writes, which means a longer drive lifespan.) Most consumers will be happy with the 840, but of course the 840 Pro is targeted toward enthusiasts who want best-in-class SSD performance.
Found here:http://www.overclock.net/t/1382067/samsung-ssd-840-pro-or-non-pro-difference
 
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das_stig

das_stig

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Crucial, Samsung, SanDisk sequential/random write speeds @ 260MB/s and 50000 IOPS / 350MB/s and 8000 IOPS / 130MB/s and 32000 IOPS.
With your SATA2 interface, performance will be far less, so Crucial M4 is the better drive, if about £7 more expensive.

Somebody will no doubt mention the Samsung 840 Pro for £104, which outperforms the all of them, but is not cost effective due to the SATA2 interface, unless you plan to squeeze as much out of the SATA2 interface as you can get and have an extra £20 in your back pocket.
 
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jamster7777

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Jul 6, 2012
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Would you still recommend the crucial if if i was possibly going to purchase a sata 3 mobo a few months down the line (Christmas time maybe?). How much of a performance boost in alternative to the samsung are we talking about here?
 
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jamster7777

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Jul 6, 2012
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Sorry I forgot to come back to this thread and thank you guys for the help, I really appreciate it. I went for the Samsung 840 standard in the end, I didn't really want to have to wait for the evo. Anyway I am delighted with the performance increase, even on sata 2 without ahci enabled (My cheap mobo doesn't even support this lol). Can't wait to get my new motherboard and test this thing out with sata 3 and ahci, but unfortuately I have to buy a new processor at the same time as I am defiantly going to be switching over to intel soon :D.

Selected aatje92's answer as best simply because he replied first, but thanks to everyone for the responses.
 
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