Intel X25-V for $69 only, should I buy over Vertex/Agility 2?

[keplenk]

Hi,

I saw a good deal in Fry's Electronics for the X25-V 40gb Intel SSD for just $69.99. Since I'll be upgrading to an SSD with a budget of $250, this triggered my interest.

Originally, I planned on buying a 2 x 64gb Vertex 2 or Agility 2 this coming thanksgiving sale and run these in Raid 0. There are no good sale yet for these drives.

BTW, I don't mind losing TRIM.

This is the link for the Fry's deal:

http://www.frys.com/product/6165889?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If I buy the Intel SSD, I'll spend $216 including tax and shipping. If I buy the Agility 2 now, it is $26 dollars more after rebate. Either way, I still meets my budget.

Please give me advice on what route to go, 3 x Intell SSD or 2 x OCZ sandforce drives?

BTW, I also have a 2 x 500gb Samsung Spinpoint drives that run in Raid 0. I use that as my storage and caching drive so that the SSD would get pounded much.

I also have a file server that backs up all my stuff. I'm not worried about losing files from a drive failure on my raid drives.

Thank you.

 

[keplenk]

Thanks for your reply. So, the Intel 40gbs are a big no no?

Microcenter is now selling its own branded SSD with SF-1222 controller. I heard that AData was the one who made this for them.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0351760

If it is really based on an Adata drive, the IOPS would most likely be 50,000 which levels to a Vertex 2 drive. So, I think I will count these Microcenter drives in my 'ssd' list, as soon as reviews come out.

Anyone else think that the X25-V drives are not the way to go?

Thanks

 

[sub mesa]

If you want to do RAID0, then i recommend the 28% OP Sandforce models, with capacities 50GB or 100GB; these have 28% spare space which should help with the absence of TRIM.

The Intels have only 6.8% and would show a decent amount of degradation after some use.

There are 60GB and 64GB models of Sandforce, but i recommend you avoid them, especially if you want to do RAID0 on them. The 50GB models have a little less capacity but would have longer lifespan and show less degradation over time.

 

[keplenk]

Best answer selected by keplenk.

 

[keplenk]

If you want to do RAID0, then i recommend the 28% OP Sandforce models, with capacities 50GB or 100GB; these have 28% spare space which should help with the absence of TRIM.

The Intels have only 6.8% and would show a decent amount of degradation after some use.

There are 60GB and 64GB models of Sandforce, but i recommend you avoid them, especially if you want to do RAID0 on them. The 50GB models have a little less capacity but would have longer lifespan and show less degradation over time.

Very informative. Thank you. I'll pass on the intel ssds then.