2011 mini SSD upgrade - its not the size that counts.

Non-Euclidean · Jan 23, 2013, 11:55 AM

OK, I have a mid-11 upgraded to 8G RAM. I have been looking at getting an SSD for the boot drive, I already bought an OWC drive kit, and am checking what is at NewEGG. I think I will go with a Samsung. I was reading here that it is better to get an underdeclared capacity SSD (120 vs 128).

My question is, how much do I really need.

As a boot/app drive, I dont think I am currently using more than 40G or so on my existing HDD. Thats ML, XCode, MKVCreate, Handbrake and a few other things. OH, and my iTunes music files. Videos are on an external Lacie 2TB.

So I would think 120G would do me fine.

A number of you have already done this. Anyone running into issues with an 120G SSD boot/apps only and HDD other crap setup.

paulrbeers · Jan 23, 2013, 12:10 PM

In My 2011 Mac Mini I had 128GB SSD and the stock 500GB mechanical drive. It worked pretty well. I sold my 2011 mini, but recently purposed a 2012. This time I'm going with a 240-250GB drive. Not because I necessarily need the space, but largely because the drive costs have come down so much and generally in the past the 240-250GB drives were faster than their 120GB counter parts (since generally the 120GB drives had half the amount of Flash Chips). Further, if I am going to risk damaging my Mini by adding an SSD (and thus possibly voiding my warranty), I'm going to make sure I put something large enough in that I don't have to do it again!

This is just my .02 worth. Many are more than happy with a 120-128GB SSD. It's the only option in the Apple Fusion setup....

dasx · Jan 23, 2013, 02:12 PM

Bear in mind that the higher the disk capacity the better speed performance you'll get.

If you were planning on getting, for instance, a Samsung 830, this would mean: (see attached image)

As you can see, writing speeds in the 256GB model are almost 3x times the speeds in the 64GB model.

Non-Euclidean · Jan 23, 2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasx

Bear in mind that the higher the disk capacity the better speed performance you'll get.

If you were planning on getting, for instance, a Samsung 830, this would mean: (see attached image)

As you can see, writing speeds in the 256GB model are almost 3x times the speeds in the 64GB model.

Ouch, I hadnt realized there was a speed issue. In that case, it seems far wiser to get a 256 drive or so...

53x12 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Non-Euclidean

Ouch, I hadnt realized there was a speed issue. In that case, it seems far wiser to get a 256 drive or so...

Prices of SSDs have dropped so much that you can get a good 250GB Samsung 840 for ~$170-180. Less if you find a great deal.

Santabean2000 · Jan 23, 2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Non-Euclidean

Ouch, I hadnt realized there was a speed issue. In that case, it seems far wiser to get a 256 drive or so...

Anandtech also suggests keeping approx 25% space free to maintain speed and consistency in your SSD.

Aim for a bigger drive, i.e. 240GB +

philipma1957 · Jan 23, 2013, 05:51 PM

yeah I have done a lot of these and now that 240 gb plus is pretty cheap go for it.

jwjsr · Jan 23, 2013, 08:25 PM

any one know of a good SSD memory deal today? I am gonna buy tonight.

53x12 · Jan 23, 2013, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwjsr

any one know of a good SSD memory deal today? I am gonna buy tonight.

Which model do you want and what size?

Once you know the above go to: http://www.google.com/shopping?hl=en&tab=wf, www.amazon.com or www.ebay.com or www.newegg.com. google shopping is best as it will pull everything up.

First you need to decide on size and model/brand.

jwjsr · Jan 23, 2013, 08:46 PM

Either 120 or 240, Newegg, I see 840 samsung 250gb for 149 via coupon AFTBEXC123 , or Tiger Direct- Sandisk 128gb for $79 after $30 rebate. Size shouldn't be problem for me right now as I don't really do anything but surf, I just want one.
I should mention this will be going in a 2012 mini so I will at least need the sata cable, I think I have the tools

philipma1957 · Jan 23, 2013, 09:17 PM

get the samsung it is a more reliable company. it is worth the 149

jwjsr · Jan 23, 2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipma1957

get the samsung it is a more reliable company. it is worth the 149

thanks, think I will

Non-Euclidean · Jan 23, 2013, 11:21 PM

Huh, I maybe spent too much, I got the OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-256G 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) from NewEgg for 229.

I chose it because it had the highest MTBF (2M as opposed to 1.5M for the 840), great random read/write (90K/120K IOPS as opposed to 96K/62K IOPS for the 840), twice as fast sustained write (510 to 250 MB/sec for the 840) and a 5 year warantee.

Now, of course, it will arrive DoA!

Anyways I also did upgrade the internal HDD to a Western Digital WD Blue WD7500AZEX 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive. I am a little paranoid about heat in my little mini, and figured the Black would be spinning more...

That will complete the upgrade of the mini. Now I am regretting only getting 8MB RAM, but heh. will be plenty happy with this.

jwjsr · Jan 24, 2013, 12:48 AM

No, u did right , the oc4 just wasn't in my budget and I hope I will never know the difference. I went over budget anyway by stepping up from from 128gb to 250gb.

Amrives · Jan 24, 2013, 02:47 AM

With most SSD's the bigger you go the faster you get, up to a certain point. I was stupid and bought a 128gb 840pro only to realize if I had spent a little more money I would literally be able to read/write any format video that could possibly come my way.

jwjsr · Jan 24, 2013, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amrives

With most SSD's the bigger you go the faster you get, up to a certain point. I was stupid and bought a 128gb 840pro only to realize if I had spent a little more money I would literally be able to read/write any format video that could possibly come my way.

That's good t know, I've been watching these sad threads for a couple of months and can' recall that being discussed

Jan 23, 2013, 11:55 AM	#1
Non-Euclidean macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Houston, TX	2011 mini SSD upgrade - its not the size that counts. OK, I have a mid-11 upgraded to 8G RAM. I have been looking at getting an SSD for the boot drive, I already bought an OWC drive kit, and am checking what is at NewEGG. I think I will go with a Samsung. I was reading here that it is better to get an underdeclared capacity SSD (120 vs 128). My question is, how much do I really need. As a boot/app drive, I dont think I am currently using more than 40G or so on my existing HDD. Thats ML, XCode, MKVCreate, Handbrake and a few other things. OH, and my iTunes music files. Videos are on an external Lacie 2TB. So I would think 120G would do me fine. A number of you have already done this. Anyone running into issues with an 120G SSD boot/apps only and HDD other crap setup.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 12:10 PM	#2
paulrbeers macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2009	In My 2011 Mac Mini I had 128GB SSD and the stock 500GB mechanical drive. It worked pretty well. I sold my 2011 mini, but recently purposed a 2012. This time I'm going with a 240-250GB drive. Not because I necessarily need the space, but largely because the drive costs have come down so much and generally in the past the 240-250GB drives were faster than their 120GB counter parts (since generally the 120GB drives had half the amount of Flash Chips). Further, if I am going to risk damaging my Mini by adding an SSD (and thus possibly voiding my warranty), I'm going to make sure I put something large enough in that I don't have to do it again! This is just my .02 worth. Many are more than happy with a 120-128GB SSD. It's the only option in the Apple Fusion setup.... __________________ MBP 8,2 15" 2.2Ghz w/ 120GB SSD + 500GB MBA 4,2 13" 1.7Ghz w/ 128GB SSD Mac Mini 6,2 2.3ghz w/ 240GB SSD + 1TB Mac Pro 1,1 w/ 8 cores @ 2.66 w/ 240GB SSD
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 02:12 PM	#3
dasx macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Barcelona	Bear in mind that the higher the disk capacity the better speed performance you'll get. If you were planning on getting, for instance, a Samsung 830, this would mean: (see attached image) As you can see, writing speeds in the 256GB model are almost 3x times the speeds in the 64GB model. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2012 Mac Mini
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Jan 23, 2013, 05:51 PM	#7
philipma1957 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2010	yeah I have done a lot of these and now that 240 gb plus is pretty cheap go for it.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 08:25 PM	#8
jwjsr macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairhope, Alabama	any one know of a good SSD memory deal today? I am gonna buy tonight.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 08:46 PM	#10
jwjsr macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairhope, Alabama	Either 120 or 240, Newegg, I see 840 samsung 250gb for 149 via coupon AFTBEXC123 , or Tiger Direct- Sandisk 128gb for $79 after $30 rebate. Size shouldn't be problem for me right now as I don't really do anything but surf, I just want one. I should mention this will be going in a 2012 mini so I will at least need the sata cable, I think I have the tools
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 09:17 PM	#11
philipma1957 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2010	get the samsung it is a more reliable company. it is worth the 149
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 11:21 PM	#13
Non-Euclidean Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Houston, TX	Huh, I maybe spent too much, I got the OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-256G 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) from NewEgg for 229. I chose it because it had the highest MTBF (2M as opposed to 1.5M for the 840), great random read/write (90K/120K IOPS as opposed to 96K/62K IOPS for the 840), twice as fast sustained write (510 to 250 MB/sec for the 840) and a 5 year warantee. Now, of course, it will arrive DoA! Anyways I also did upgrade the internal HDD to a Western Digital WD Blue WD7500AZEX 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive. I am a little paranoid about heat in my little mini, and figured the Black would be spinning more... That will complete the upgrade of the mini. Now I am regretting only getting 8MB RAM, but heh. will be plenty happy with this.
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 12:48 AM	#14
jwjsr macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairhope, Alabama	No, u did right , the oc4 just wasn't in my budget and I hope I will never know the difference. I went over budget anyway by stepping up from from 128gb to 250gb.
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 02:47 AM	#15
Amrives macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	With most SSD's the bigger you go the faster you get, up to a certain point. I was stupid and bought a 128gb 840pro only to realize if I had spent a little more money I would literally be able to read/write any format video that could possibly come my way.
	0