Get an SSD?

[sowexly]

I feel like I should get one because I only hear they're amazing and the best upgrade you can get, but I don't know which one I should get.
I was looking at Vertex 3 and it sounds solid for $250

Here is my system:
Phenom x4 965 @3.4GHz
HD 6970 PCS+
4GBs DDR3 @1600
750W PC P&C
Crosshair IV Formula

Do you think the SSD is the best upgrade for the time being?
I only have ~300 budget and I plan on waiting for Bulldozer before changing CPU/MOBO

Also any other alternatives besides Vertex 3?
I saw Agility 3 and it seems to be just as fast but maybe it degrades faster?

 

[geofelt]

You may read about glowing benchmarks for the newest SSD's.
The sequential benchmarks drive the SSD to it's maximum with programs that issue I/O operations
at a much faster rate than an application can, and does so at high queue levels. 6gb sata looks great.
But, a normal desktop user rarely does anything remotely like that.

The second type of benchmark measures maximum IOPS which will be done at high queue levels again. Think >30.
That is also not what we do. The OS does mostly small random I/O, and at smallish queue lengths.
It is the response time that matters most.

It turns out that at low queue lengths, Most SSD's have the same response time, and they are very low.
That is exactly what you want from a SSD, particularly for the OS.

So, what does this mean when buying a SSD?
---------------Bottom line-----------

Get the capacity you need at the lowest cost per gb

Today, Intel seems to have the lowest return rates:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/810-6/components-returns-rates.html

 

[sowexly]

I think Intel would have a lower return rate if they sold less too...

 

[buzznut]

Yes, I think an SSD would be the best way to increase overall system responsiveness. You have a nice system, but I would consider the HD a bottleneck. Not so much for gaming, although apps you have on the SSD will load faster.
I'd recommend the 120GB Vertex 3. I don't think the max IOPS is worth another $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706&cm_sp=Cat_SSD-_-Spotlight-_-20-227-706

 

[sowexly]

Yes, I think an SSD would be the best way to increase overall system responsiveness. You have a nice system, but I would consider the HD a bottleneck. Not so much for gaming, although apps you have on the SSD will load faster.
I'd recommend the 120GB Vertex 3. I don't think the max IOPS is worth another $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706&cm_sp=Cat_SSD-_-Spotlight-_-20-227-706

Bought one about an hour ago

 

[sowexly]

Best answer selected by sowexly.

 

[buzznut]

Bought one about an hour ago

Cool, I'm grabbing mine in the next two weeks!