SSD question for 2012 Non-Retina

datapusher · Nov 30, 2012, 09:18 PM

Am debating replacing the main drive in the macbook pro with an ssd and moving the 7200 to the optice bay. This will be primarily for using Smoke on Mac and other intensive programs.

I am curious, which would be better for my uses:

Samsung 840 Pro
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr...ds=MZ-7PD256BW

or the OWX option:
Mercury EXTREME™ Pro 6G SSD
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMX6G240T/

All the reviews for the 840pro were stellar, but hen anandtech reported multiple cases of the ssd failing on multiple machine. There is apparently a firmware upgrade to fix, but not available for macs.

Any input is appreciated.

Also should im be looking at a different drive or manufacturer?

Thanks!

angrydog · Nov 30, 2012, 09:26 PM

Go with the Samsung, as they have reliable controllers as OWC uses Sandforce controllers. Sandforce is fast but prone to higher rate of failure and plus you can get a Samsung 830 drive for <$200.

MisterKeeks · Nov 30, 2012, 09:29 PM

The only bad thing about the Samsung is that you would need to use TRIM Enabler to keep it in shape, whereas the Sandforce controller does that on its own.

T5BRICK · Nov 30, 2012, 09:31 PM

Samsung, OWC is too expensive for what you get.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

The only bad thing about the Samsung is that you would need to use TRIM Enabler to keep it in shape, whereas the Sandforce controller does that on its own.

Is using TRIM enabler detrimental in some way?

MisterKeeks · Nov 30, 2012, 09:33 PM

It's a slight inconvenience because apparently software updates can turn it off, so you would have to check on it from time to time. The only big issue is you don't know if or when it will be updated for a new OS

G-Mo · Nov 30, 2012, 09:42 PM

Neither, get a Crucial M4 (IMHO!).

T5BRICK · Nov 30, 2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Mo

Neither, get a Crucial M4 (IMHO!).

The M4 is a great drive but the 4k read and write speeds are about half of what the 840 Pro is capable of.

datapusher · Nov 30, 2012, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

It's a slight inconvenience because apparently software updates can turn it off, so you would have to check on it from time to time. The only big issue is you don't know if or when it will be updated for a new OS

Are you referring to turning trim on?

richnyc · Nov 30, 2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datapusher

All the reviews for the 840pro were stellar, but then anandtech reported multiple cases of the ssd failing on multiple machine. There is apparently a firmware upgrade to fix, but not available for macs.

You can still update to the latest FW (3B0Q) on a Mac, you just have to have do it through a Boot camp installed Windows partition

AnandTech mentioned that all those failures were pre-production units and the retail versions should be updated with the latest FW:

Update on Samsung SSD 840/840 Pro Failures

wonderspark · Dec 1, 2012, 01:38 AM

I have a pair of Crucial M4 SSDs (rev. 309), and one is in my 2012 MacBook Pro WITHOUT TRIM enabled, working fine. I also have a Samsung 830 without TRIM, but I haven't put it in the MacBook Pro yet... just in my Mac Pro.

MBP is running latest Mountain Lion,
MP is running 10.6.8,
Both are happy with TRIM-less M4 SSDs. I currently keep the Samsung as my backup clone for the Mac Pro, in case something goes wrong with the M4 in there now.

Irock619 · Dec 1, 2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

The only bad thing about the Samsung is that you would need to use TRIM Enabler to keep it in shape, whereas the Sandforce controller does that on its own.

Are you sure? I believe for all 3rd party drives trim has to be enabled by the user.

MisterKeeks · Dec 1, 2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irock619

Are you sure? I believe for all 3rd party drives trim has to be enabled by the user.

I am certain. The sand force controller does TRIM on its own, and enabling TRIM is bad for the drive.

Raunien · Dec 1, 2012, 11:05 AM

Enabling TRIM is NOT bad for the drive. Apple does it for their own Samsung 830s.

Please read this article to get a feel for what TRIM is all about and how it affects drives. http://digitaldj.net/2011/07/21/trim-enabler-for-lion/

Orlandoech.com · Dec 1, 2012, 11:24 AM

Samsung for sure. And TRIM doesn't ruin the drive nor is bad for the drive.

Irock619 · Dec 1, 2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

I am certain. The sand force controller does TRIM on its own, and enabling TRIM is bad for the drive.

I think you are talking about garbage collection, which is a feature built into the controller. Trim works by the OS commanding the controller, which requires a hack using terminal commands, or downloading the trim enabler app for 3rd party SSDs. Without the terminal command or the app, the SSD controller does not know when to trim. This is why most SSD's have garbage collection.

MisterKeeks · Dec 1, 2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raunien

Enabling TRIM is NOT bad for the drive. Apple does it for their own Samsung 830s.

Please read this article to get a feel for what TRIM is all about and how it affects drives. http://digitaldj.net/2011/07/21/trim-enabler-for-lion/

They do it for the 830s, but you should NOT do it on an OWC, as per this OWC article: http://blog.macsales.com/11051-to-tr...has-the-answer

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irock619

I think you are talking about garbage collection, which is a feature built into the controller. Trim works by the OS commanding the controller, which requires a hack using terminal commands, or downloading the trim enabler app for 3rd party SSDs. Without the terminal command or the app, the SSD controller does not know when to trim. This is why most SSD's have garbage collection.

Yeah, all SSDs have garbage collection. However, the Sandforce controller is different from that in other drives, and OWC states that you should not use TRIM on their drives. I assume this would apply to all drives w/Sandforce, but I am not sure.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

Samsung for sure. And TRIM doesn't ruin the drive nor is bad for the drive.

Yes, with non-OWC drives you should use TRIM. However, as per this OWC article, you should not use TRIM on their drives, which is what I was referring to.

Category 5 · Dec 1, 2012, 08:01 PM

I have a crucial M4 256, an Intel 320 160GB and "had" an Intel 520 180GB.

All were excellent. But I just got an OCZ Vertex 4 (micron edition) from Amazon for a pretty decent price and OMG!

This thing is a competely different animal altogether. Fastest I have ever seen. In fact, It really does feel like a whole new computer. Shipping FW was 1.5 and so far installation was no different from a regular spinning disk. INstal, recover from time machine, and boot up in 15 seconds (7 seconds from the spinning icon to full desktop load). It's just insane.

Vertex 4 gets my vote. OCZ is back from the dead with indilinx. The new Vector drives look even better!

Nov 30, 2012, 09:18 PM	#1
datapusher macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2011	SSD question for 2012 Non-Retina Am debating replacing the main drive in the macbook pro with an ssd and moving the 7200 to the optice bay. This will be primarily for using Smoke on Mac and other intensive programs. I am curious, which would be better for my uses: Samsung 840 Pro http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr...ds=MZ-7PD256BW or the OWX option: Mercury EXTREME™ Pro 6G SSD http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMX6G240T/ All the reviews for the 840pro were stellar, but hen anandtech reported multiple cases of the ssd failing on multiple machine. There is apparently a firmware upgrade to fix, but not available for macs. Any input is appreciated. Also should im be looking at a different drive or manufacturer? Thanks!
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 09:26 PM	#2
angrydog macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2009	Go with the Samsung, as they have reliable controllers as OWC uses Sandforce controllers. Sandforce is fast but prone to higher rate of failure and plus you can get a Samsung 830 drive for <$200. __________________ MacBook Pro 9.1 [Retina] \| 2.6 GHz Quad-Core \| 16GB \| GT650M \| OS X [Mountain Lion] + Windows 7 & iP4 5.1.1 JB'ed [T-Mobile]
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 09:29 PM	#3
MisterKeeks macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2012	The only bad thing about the Samsung is that you would need to use TRIM Enabler to keep it in shape, whereas the Sandforce controller does that on its own. __________________ Core Duo 1.83 Mac Mini, Dual 2.7 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.8 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.25 MDD G4, 1.6 GHz iMac G5, 900 MHz iBook G3, 800 MHz iMac G4, 500MHz iMac G3, 400MHz iMac G3
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 09:33 PM	#5
MisterKeeks macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2012	It's a slight inconvenience because apparently software updates can turn it off, so you would have to check on it from time to time. The only big issue is you don't know if or when it will be updated for a new OS __________________ Core Duo 1.83 Mac Mini, Dual 2.7 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.8 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.25 MDD G4, 1.6 GHz iMac G5, 900 MHz iBook G3, 800 MHz iMac G4, 500MHz iMac G3, 400MHz iMac G3
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 09:42 PM	#6
G-Mo macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ	Neither, get a Crucial M4 (IMHO!). __________________ Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) 8GB RAM, 256GB, Mac mini (Late 2012) 16GB RAM, Fusion Drive (128GB SSD/750GB 7200RPM) iPad mini 16GB, iPhone 4S 16GB
	1

Dec 1, 2012, 01:38 AM	#10
wonderspark macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denver, CO	I have a pair of Crucial M4 SSDs (rev. 309), and one is in my 2012 MacBook Pro WITHOUT TRIM enabled, working fine. I also have a Samsung 830 without TRIM, but I haven't put it in the MacBook Pro yet... just in my Mac Pro. MBP is running latest Mountain Lion, MP is running 10.6.8, Both are happy with TRIM-less M4 SSDs. I currently keep the Samsung as my backup clone for the Mac Pro, in case something goes wrong with the M4 in there now. __________________ Wait a second... So you're telling me anything that happens in the sky is legal, and there's a giant crime-blimp flying around this place? I don't know how I missed that.
	0

Dec 1, 2012, 11:05 AM	#13
Raunien macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2011	Enabling TRIM is NOT bad for the drive. Apple does it for their own Samsung 830s. Please read this article to get a feel for what TRIM is all about and how it affects drives. http://digitaldj.net/2011/07/21/trim-enabler-for-lion/
	0

Dec 1, 2012, 11:24 AM	#14
Orlandoech.com macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	Samsung for sure. And TRIM doesn't ruin the drive nor is bad for the drive.
	0

Dec 1, 2012, 08:01 PM	#17
Category 5 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2011	I have a crucial M4 256, an Intel 320 160GB and "had" an Intel 520 180GB. All were excellent. But I just got an OCZ Vertex 4 (micron edition) from Amazon for a pretty decent price and OMG! This thing is a competely different animal altogether. Fastest I have ever seen. In fact, It really does feel like a whole new computer. Shipping FW was 1.5 and so far installation was no different from a regular spinning disk. INstal, recover from time machine, and boot up in 15 seconds (7 seconds from the spinning icon to full desktop load). It's just insane. Vertex 4 gets my vote. OCZ is back from the dead with indilinx. The new Vector drives look even better! __________________ 01010010 01001001 01010000 00100000 01010011 01110100 01100101 01110110 01100101 00100000 01001010 01101111 01100010
	0

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