Trying to decide between Samsung 830 and Crucial M4

[sbauer318]

I've decided to upgrade my desktop and laptop. The problem is I don't know which drive to buy. I'm looking at the 256GB and 512GB options for Samsung 830 and Crucial M4. The Crucial drives are a good bit cheaper, but are the Samsung drives noticeably better?

I don't need the best performance on my laptop, but I would like more capacity since I don't have another drive bay and I'm stuck with USB 2 ports only.

I use both computers for software development, but I use the desktop more. I play games and occasionally work in Photoshop on the desktop as well.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ashmonke]

The 830 generally outpace the Crucial's m4. That being said, both are fast I don't think you could go wrong with either drive.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

I normally recommend Samsung 830 first and Crucial m4 second.

I maintain the ssd database listed in the sticky at the very top of this forum section:

http://www.johnnylucky.org/data-storage/ssd-database.html

Scroll down to the Crucial and Samsung sections where you will find links to technical reviews of both products.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Both are very good drives. I would say get the largest capacity drive at the lowest possible price.

Here is a link to 2 pages of excellent daily deals, sales, and special promotions:

http://www.logicbuy.com/categorydeals/computers/hard-drives-ssd

The sales and prices change every day. Sometimes you have to check every day until what you want is available at a rock bottom price.

 

[amuffin]

I normally recommend Samsung 830 first and Crucial m4 second.

I maintain the ssd database listed in the sticky at the very top of this forum section:

http://www.johnnylucky.org/data-storage/ssd-database.html

Scroll down to the Crucial and Samsung sections where you will find links to technical reviews of both products.

PSU Recommended List, PSU Lemon List, and SSD's?

NICE JOB JOHNNY!

 

[JohnnyLucky]

amuffin - Thanks! They're more detailed versions of the main hardware reviews database:

http://www.johnnylucky.org/reviews/index.html

I check 75 web sites for hardware reviews almost daily. I've got it down to a science and can get everything done in one hour or less. There are two exceptions - the Intel and AMD motherboard databases. They are in need of a serious updates. Once updated they'll be easy to maintain.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

four4magicparts - If you are in the USA the Crucial m4 is not necessarily less expensive than the Samsung 830. For example, today the m4 128GB is $99.99 and free shipping while the Samsung 830 128GB is $96.49 and free shipping:

http://www.logicbuy.com/categorydeals/computers/hard-drives-ssd

The prices change daily. I've seen both for a little less.

A few days ago the Samsung 830 256GB was on sale for $189.99 while the Crucial m4 256GB was $179.99.