SSD vs M.2 SATA SSD

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 19, 2018

Actually i am plannig to do a pc build i have limited budget i dont know what to choose, i can get 250gb ssd or 120gb nvme m.2 ssd. I will use ssd for operating system and some adobe software.
I am using s340 elite, i am installing hue+ in 1 slot. So which ssd do i should use. Normal ssd is better for asthetics but nvme m.2 is better for performance. Plzzz help.

theyeti87 · Jun 19, 2018

Since you are constrained by your budget, I suggest going for a SATA SSD. In common real-world usage, you will not notice any significant difference between NVMe or SATA SSDs.

Rogue Leader · Jun 19, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

120gb is a bit small for Windows and everything, IMO the larger size drive will be more useful to you, and the speed compromise in real world use is not very noticeable.

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 19, 2018

You want to say it will not affect the performance its for operating system and Photoshop. And can i use intel optane with 1 tb hdd.

I mean do a combination of 250gb 2.5" ssd for OS and optane memory with 1tb hdd for other

Rogue Leader · Jun 19, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

If you are budget constrained Optane should not even be in your consideration.

Like I said 120gb is a bit small, if you use it with Optane it will be blindingly fast in file operations.

For everyday useage running Photoshop, the 250gb SSD gives you way more breathing room, and you won't notice the performance loss.

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 19, 2018

Actually i am thinking of using 250gb normal sata ssd for operating system and software. And using the combination of intel optane and 1tb hdd for games

Rogue Leader · Jun 19, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

That would be a fast combo, if it allows you to have a bigger OS drive and fits in your budget its better for you.

ALEX0264 · Jun 19, 2018

120GB OS drive is more than enough. A complete Win 10 build uses around 25GB now, then reducing page file size, disabling fast startup etc. These all help in saving space. I have a 120GB 850 EVO SATA M.2 and it performs just fine. My games are on a WD Black and other data on a WD Blue. Unless you are installing vast amounts of data on your OS drive, I would save yourself some money and get the smaller capacity.

Rogue Leader · Jun 19, 2018

ALEX0264 :

Having previously run a 120gb OS drive I don't agree, Windows 10 manages over time to take up more space. A good page file is important, and he wants to put some software on there. Putting that software on it gets to be quite a bit closer to full.

ALEX0264 · Jun 19, 2018

I have 11GB over provisioning (Samsung Magician), leaving me with 100GB to play with. Windows 10, MS Office, ESET and a handful of other software, including a 2GB pagefile, leaves me with between 70-75GB.

Rogue Leader · Jun 19, 2018

ALEX0264 :

On a fresh install, sure... for now. One of the main problems that all those Netbook and mini 2 in 1 users have been having is that Windows 10 bloats up as updates come through (and they only have 32gb of space on board). Next creators update or whatever else watch your Windows install balloon, it will sit around 40gb, and you will need space for the update patch to download.

120gb is more than doable, BUT given a new build and the desire to use the drive for more than Windows. 250gb is the way to go.

USAFRet · Jun 19, 2018

I also agree a 120GB is a bit small.
Sure, it can work. But it does require a lot more space management.

But if the budget dictates a choice is between a 120GB NVMe drive and a 250GB SATA III drive...I'd go for the 250GB SATA III SSD.

My original 120GB SSD is now relegated to a cache/scratch space drive.
OS and data drives are all larger SSD's.

ALEX0264 · Jun 20, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Oh yes I completely agree with that. We have some Lenovo tablets at work that are a disaster. 32GB storage (or roughly 27GB usable) and you simply cannot update them when a big update comes out!

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 20, 2018

ALEX0264 :

Now should i get a m.2 ssd or a normal 2.5" sata ssd will be enough

Rogue Leader · Jun 20, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

SATA M.2 SSDs are no faster than a full 2.5 SSD. They perform exactly the same. The performance come sin when you get a NVME PCIe SSD for your M.2 slot. Otherwise the only advantage is physical size.

ALEX0264 · Jun 20, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

The additional benefit of the m.2 is the fact it's out of the way on the motherboard. One less power connector and one less SATA cable. Only downside is cooling and nvme drives can get hot! There are cooling solutions available for these, in the form of a heatsink.

It's really dependent on your personal preference really.

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 20, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Jaspreet_816 :

SATA M.2 SSDs are no faster than a full 2.5 SSD. They perform exactly the same. The performance come sin when you get a NVME PCIe SSD for your M.2 slot. Otherwise the only advantage is physical size.

I think there will be no noticeable difference between m.2 nvme and full size sata ssd because i will be installing windows on it.

Difference will be seen if i install games on ssd. Pls tell

Rogue Leader · Jun 20, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

Rogue Leader :

I think there will be no noticeable difference between m.2 nvme and full size sata ssd because i will be installing windows on it.

Difference will be seen if i install games on ssd. Pls tell

No there is a large difference. It will boot faster and file operations will be faster, noticeably so.

Jaspreet_816 · Jun 20, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Jaspreet_816 :

No there is a large difference. It will boot faster and file operations will be faster.

Ok now my main problem is that if i choose full size ssd it will look good im my case whereas if i get nvme ssd i will get better performance but empty ssd slot will look ugly. What should i go with performance or aesthetic.

Rogue Leader · Jun 20, 2018

Jaspreet_816 :

Rogue Leader :

Ok now my main problem is that if i choose full size ssd it will look good im my case whereas if i get nvme ssd i will get better performance but empty ssd slot will look ugly. What should i go with performance or aesthetic.

If you can afford it, PERFORMANCE!

SSD vs M.2 SATA SSD

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