Best SSD for my system?

[zack_of_steel]

Hi, everyone. I have been looking at SSDs and have decided that I'd like a 120+ GB, high end, SATA III drive.

Here are my system specs and a list of a few SSDs I was looking at:

System specs:
OS: Windows 7 64 bit
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATI Full Tower
Motherboard: ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
CPU Heatsink: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
GPU: XFX Raedon HD 6950 2GB
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 1600
PSU: Rosewill BRONZE Series RBR1000-M 1000W
HDD: Seagate 500 GB SATA 6GB 7200 rpm

Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167042

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148362


I'm not really sure what the differences between the bottom two are, so if someone could explain, I'd appreciate that. Thanks, everyone.

 

[tecmo34]

Based on what you have listed, I would either go with the Intel 510 or wait for the C400 to be released (or the Vertex 3 to come back in stock)... IMO

 

[geofelt]

You will be pleased with most any reliable ssd.

Today, Intel has a lower return rate than most:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/810-6/components-returns-rates.html
The report is a bit old and does not include gen3 ssd's.

Also, if you do not have a 6gb sata port capability, there is little added performance value in a gen3 ssd.

Look at the Intel 320 120gb ssd:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167050

SSD vendors tout high sequential rates, and high iops.
The reality is that the typical desktop user does small random reads and writes. A task that any ssd will do very well, and vastly better than the fastest hard drive.
We also do not generate high queue rates that are used to generate those maximum iops rates.

Today, there is a price premium put on the latest and greatest, but an older unit will still give great satisfaction.
Down the road, when you get 6gb sata, the cost of replacing today's drive will be much less, so "future proofing" may not be such a great idea.

 

[zack_of_steel]

Based on what you have listed, I would either go with the Intel 510 or wait for the C400 to be released (or the Vertex 3 to come back in stock)... IMO

I just read a giant article about the C400 and its comparisons in performance to the other major SSDs and the Vertex 3 was at the top in nearly all categories. Definitely think I'll wait for it to come back in stock.

Article:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4253/the-crucial-m4-micron-c400-ssd-review/1

You will be pleased with most any reliable ssd.

Today, Intel has a lower return rate than most:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/810-6/components-returns-rates.html
The report is a bit old and does not include gen3 ssd's.

Also, if you do not have a 6gb sata port capability, there is little added performance value in a gen3 ssd.

Look at the Intel 320 120gb ssd:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167050

SSD vendors tout high sequential rates, and high iops.
The reality is that the typical desktop user does small random reads and writes. A task that any ssd will do very well, and vastly better than the fastest hard drive.
We also do not generate high queue rates that are used to generate those maximum iops rates.

Today, there is a price premium put on the latest and greatest, but an older unit will still give great satisfaction.
Down the road, when you get 6gb sata, the cost of replacing today's drive will be much less, so "future proofing" may not be such a great idea.

My motherboard has six SATA 6GB ports, which is why I was looking at the drives I listed.

 

[zack_of_steel]

Best answer selected by zack_of_steel.