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davemp88

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 13, 2020
105
19
So, long story short, Got a mid 2012 a1278 MacBook Pro from one of my best friends, but it only had 4gbs of ram and was an i5, 1600MHz dual core. So first, I got one 8gb RAM stick so at least I'd go from 4gb to 10. EXPONENTIAL difference. Then, when I started reading about the longevity of HDD drives, and considering how old this Macbook is, I figured, if I want this to last as long as possible, I should get good parts or it. So to be delivered Monday WAS another 8gb Crucial 1600MHz DDR3 RAM stick and the Crucial MX500, 500gb internal SSD drive. for some reason in my mind I thought that have the same manufacturer for the ram and SSD would make them perform with better sychronicity, but from literally every review I've read, the Samsung 860 Evo wins out on total speed. So I cancelled the Crucial MX500 and got the 860 Evo. I'm sure the question has been asked on here like a million times but, which one do you guys think is better? and is there any actual connection between the RAM and SSD? (Like, that would be to say their system integration would theoretically have the easiest compatibility. My Best friend/tech guru/guy I got the computer from suggested the Samsung and said it's the best. Personal experience guys? Care to weigh in? Amazon has a good return policy so if anything I could always exchange it if I became convinced the other MX500 was that much better.
 
So, long story short, Got a mid 2012 a1278 MacBook Pro from one of my best friends, but it only had 4gbs of ram and was an i5, 1600MHz dual core. So first, I got one 8gb RAM stick so at least I'd go from 4gb to 10. EXPONENTIAL difference. Then, when I started reading about the longevity of HDD drives, and considering how old this Macbook is, I figured, if I want this to last as long as possible, I should get good parts or it. So to be delivered Monday WAS another 8gb Crucial 1600MHz DDR3 RAM stick and the Crucial MX500, 500gb internal SSD drive. for some reason in my mind I thought that have the same manufacturer for the ram and SSD would make them perform with better sychronicity, but from literally every review I've read, the Samsung 860 Evo wins out on total speed. So I cancelled the Crucial MX500 and got the 860 Evo. I'm sure the question has been asked on here like a million times but, which one do you guys think is better? and is there any actual connection between the RAM and SSD? (Like, that would be to say their system integration would theoretically have the easiest compatibility. My Best friend/tech guru/guy I got the computer from suggested the Samsung and said it's the best. Personal experience guys? Care to weigh in? Amazon has a good return policy so if anything I could always exchange it if I became convinced the other MX500 was that much better.
There's not enough difference in performance on these drives to worry about which is faster so just get the one that's the best price. It does not matter whatsoever what brand the RAM and disk are; there is no connection in performance there.
 
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There's not enough difference in performance on these drives to worry about which is faster so just get the one that's the best price. It does not matter whatsoever what brand the RAM and disk are; there is no connection in performance there.
Thank you for the info. Even tho it was like $2 more on Amazon, my Best friend/Tech Guru buddy suggested the Samsung, so I think I'll stick with it. I figured with an almost 9 year old laptop, I'm kinda surprised the HDD is even still working period. I thought they were only supposed to last like 3-5 years??
 
They are only supposed to last until they fail. It could be any number of years. There may be an average lifetime but specific devices don’t care about averages.
 
I have 2 TB MX500 paired with 16GB of Corsair Vengence 1600 in my 9,2. Works fantastic. Running 11.1 like a champ.

I have also ran a 860 Evo in another 2012 and found it to be comparable in speed. Both are great drives.
 
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OP wrote:
"from literally every review I've read, the Samsung 860 Evo wins out on total speed. So I cancelled the Crucial MX500 and got the 860 Evo. I'm sure the question has been asked on here like a million times but, which one do you guys think is better?"

There will be no discernible speed difference because the MBP is too old to make a difference.

If there wasn't THAT MUCH of a price difference, just use the drive "that's in your hand" and be done with it.

Here's what can REALLY help with the drive preparation and swap:

Use it to "prep and test" the new SSD BEFORE you open the MBP to swap drives.

Then, use it to hold the old drive after you take it out.
It can serve as a backup, or for extra storage.
 
OP wrote:
"from literally every review I've read, the Samsung 860 Evo wins out on total speed. So I cancelled the Crucial MX500 and got the 860 Evo. I'm sure the question has been asked on here like a million times but, which one do you guys think is better?"

There will be no discernible speed difference because the MBP is too old to make a difference.

If there wasn't THAT MUCH of a price difference, just use the drive "that's in your hand" and be done with it.

Here's what can REALLY help with the drive preparation and swap:

Use it to "prep and test" the new SSD BEFORE you open the MBP to swap drives.

Then, use it to hold the old drive after you take it out.
It can serve as a backup, or for extra storage.
Yeah I already hear the ticking from my HDD drive plus my MacBook gets hot much faster than it should. I’m basically creating the best possible computer so that it will hopefully last me until computers are obsolete!😜
 
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