Recommend an SSD

[Paul]

Ok so this month I should be getting my bonus, I am not expecting much and most of it will need to go to the renovations. However I am hoping to keep like R1000 aside for an SSD (well R1000 to contribute to an SSD and I can throw in another R500).

I have been loosely keeping an eye on SSD pricess to see if they drop so I can jump in quickly but they have either remained stable of gone up. I think it is time for me to bite the bullet and get an SSD but I know nothing about them.

Firstly I have an ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR III FORMULA Mobo which is a relatively old Mobo and so the Sata "protocol" only allows 3GB/s and not the 6gb/s I think the newer mobo's allow. I don't plan on upgrading for at least another 1.5 years (more than likely 2 years)

So those are my constraints

* R1500
* 3GB/s Transfer rate

I plan on using the SSD to host my operating system and my games, I only ever have 1 or 2 games loaded at any one time.


So what is the point of this? I need recommendations e.g.
size: 128GB? 256GB?
Make : OCZ? Corsair?
Source: Frontoza?


So all suggestions are welcome if you know what you are talking about

[Thor_23]

Hi Paul,

I have a corsair force GT 120gig SSD which drags helped me organise through frontosa. It seems to meet the requirements you have and I run it on a similar setup tp yours (same mobo etc).

I am extremely happy with it and it made a HUGE diff to my ingame performance.

http://www.corsair.com/ssd/force-series-gt-ssd/force-series-gt-120gb-sata-3-6gbps-solid-state-hard-drive.html/

As far as I know this is one of the brands that frontosa stocks...

Sure drags or someone else will and come and tell you about the trim support and all the other relevant factors :)

[J_Th4ng]

Firstly, the fact that your mobo only supports SATA 3Gb doesn't stop you getting a faster SSD, it just means that the SSD won't work to it's full potential until you upgrade your mobo down the line.

As to the different makes, TBH most SSDs are very comparible nowadays. Most of them use SandForce controllers, meaning that top speeds will be pretty similar between drives (and in fact identical on your system because your interface will slow them all down).

If you only ever have a couple of games installed, then a 120GB drive will be fine, although if you can stretch it's always nice to have a bit of extra capacity, so a 180GB drive might be better, although it would break your budget.

I can get you Corsair SSDs from Frontosa, they don't stock OCZ. I have a Corsair ForceGT in one of my PC's, and it runs like a dream. I know that QB has the same one, and we installed one into Phatso's PC last night. It's a good performer, as much as you'll need.

One thing that you may want to consider (in before Denis), is to get 2x60GB SSD's and hook them up in RAID 0. That would get you a lot faster transfer speeds, because you'd double up your SATA 3Gb connection. Personally I'm not fond of RAIDing SSD's as I like the TRIM function (garbage collection that doesn't work under RAID), but it would give you extra speed.

Let me know if you want prices from Frontosa.

[Paul]

Thanks Jarrod, if you could please get me prices from Frontoza for a 120GB SSD that would be great.

I am also not a fan of RAID but mainly because I am too lazy to figure out how it all works. So I think from the sounds of things a Corsair ForceGT 120GB looks like the best option so far

[KakHard]

Any speed SSD will make a huge diff. The access speed is what you see first, transfer speeds are a bonus.
For that price you are looking at a 120 / 128GB SSD.

[Skouperd]

Thanks Jarrod... stealing all my thunder.... ;-)

Paul, if you want to know how RAID works, go and read my article here: http://blog.skoups.com/?p=236

However, unless you really after speed and like to have something simple, get yourself any 120GB drive but try to get yourself ones that does at least 500MB/s. It is simple, and it works. You will appreciate the speed difference.

If you are however after raw, unadulterated speed, then get as many 60GB drives (not OCZ Vertex 4 though as they are limited to only 280MB/s) as you can afford, get yourself a Rocket Raid 2720SGL card (~R2,000), and enjoy some seriously fast speeds, as in mind blowing, freaken fast speeds I am talking off.

Or, be boring, and just get yourself that single drive and be happy with plain and simple...

[Megageth]

Syphilis. Oh wait, nvm.

[Paul]

I think I will got with the Corsair ForceGT 128GB but it will only be mid March so I will be requesting a price list then

[Paul]

Got my bonus and I will be able to get the SSD for +-R1500. Jarrod can you please get the price so that I can order it

[Paul]

Can some body please get me the price for a Corsair ForceGT 128GB from Frontosa, otherwise I will have to get it at a retail store and it will cost R1800

[BadA$$jack]

R1414 exl VAT

[Paul]

Thanks Badass, next question who can order this for me for the jhb branch?

[RussianElite.]

Hey Pawl, I can get you this

Intel SSD 520 Series Cherryville (120GB, 2.5in SATA 6Gb/s, 25nm, MLC) 9.5mm, OEM Pack - SSD only
For R1482 from Axiz Johannesburg.

Lemme know




Inc VAT btw

[BadA$$jack]

I normally use Skoups account, sure we can order and you do a EFT payment

[Paul]

Thanks Russian but I want the Cosair, seems to be well known and recommend.

@ Badass, I will drop Skoup a PM

[TygerBS]

How much is a 2TB 7200 drive from frontasa?

I can get in on the order and pick it up for you Paul, as its close to my work.

[Paul]

Cool can some one who has the Frontosa account details pleae

* Check for the price of the drive for Tyger
* Place and Order for my SSD and Tyger's Drive


We will give you the money to pay frontosa and Tyger will collect.

[J_Th4ng]

Paul, I'm back from my holidays tomorrow. Will get a price for you then. If you're happy with it I can probably get the order placed in time for you to collect tomorrow. Depends on what time I get home. Flight from PE is 10am, so should be home by lunchtime.

[Paul]

Thanks Jarrod, please also get the price for Tyger as we will do a combined order and he will pick it up after work.

[J_Th4ng]

Sure thing, will do. QB, why do you want a 7200 data drive? I've found that a 5400 RPM drive is fine for media, especially if the PC is on all of the time (saves power and less wear and tear on the drive).

regardless, I'll get prices for you as soon as i get home. Unless of course badass can get the prices for you beforehand? I'll check back as soon as I get home.

[TygerBS]

Hey J, just prefer a 7200 drive, the run smoother.
I am also building a media center PC, so it will be the main drive in that for the OS too.

Yea let me know. The webistes i have checked have drives fro about R1100, so if its that or less then i am keen.

[BadA$$jack]

Western Digital Green WD20EARX / WD20EZRX , 2Tb/2000gb , Sata6G , with intellipower ( 5400-7200rpm for powersaveing ) , 64mb cache - 2 years warranty - R866 exl vat

seagate ST2000DM001 , 2000gb/2Tb, Barracuda, Sata6G , 7200rpm, 64mb cache , with OptiCache + AcuTrac + SmartAlign - 2 years warrenty - R929 ecl vat

[TygerBS]

Thanks Jack.

Let me go for the seagate. Don't trust western digital anymore.

[BadA$$jack]

Thanks Jack.

Let me go for the seagate. Don't trust western digital anymore.

np mate, you gonna get Jarrob to order it for you???

[TygerBS]

Yea i Think J said he will do it.

I don't mind who does it though.

[Paul]

Ja just let me know what Account to deposit the money and how much?



[/edit] Because Tyger is a smartass

[TygerBS]

You gonna deposit a month?

How?

[SlipperyDuck]

sideways

[J_Th4ng]

Okay, order has been placed. Costs as follows:

Paul - R1642.74 - 120GB ForceGT
Tyger - R1059.06 - Seagate Barracude 2TB 7200RPM

Items are available for collection this afternoon. Company name is Prometheus, code PRO-021

QB, send me your email address, I'll send you the deposit slip. You won't be able to collect without it.

Please pay monies into my account, not the slush fund:

Bank: ABSA
Code: 632005
Account Num: 4062783943
Name: W J McElhinney

You have both bought stuff through me before, so you probably already have me set up as a beneficiary.

[Paul]

Thanks Jarrod

Transfered R1650 into your account.

I let me know when you have the stuff and I will come pick it up, I will only be back on Sunday afternoon though but I am not in a rush and can wait until next week

[TygerBS]

Sweet thanks J

Will deposit asap.
Paul get on it too!

quentin.huggett@gmail.com

[J_Th4ng]

Okay chaps, sent the Proof of Payment to QB. Enjoy your new hardware.

QB, if you don't get the email, please SMS me.

[TygerBS]

Ok Paid you R1060 J

Send me the deposit slip and i will collect.

Paul come get it from me, and you are in a hurry. You need to have it up and running in time for our matches noob!

[Paul]

Dude I am leaving straight from work and will only be back on Sunday. I will collect it on sunday/Monday. I will only install once our matches are done so that there are no problems