256GB vs 512GB Speed Difference?

[djinn]

Any concern that a 256GB will be slower than a 512GB SSD? Looking at a 13" MBP and trying to decide on the HDD. Space isn't an issue, just concerned about speed.

 

[robvas]

There is no 'slow'.

256GB is 'very fast', 512GB is 'super fast'

 

[djinn]

There is no 'slow'.

256GB is 'very fast', 512GB is 'super fast'

Hmmm... not sure that answers my question. Maybe this isn't a valid concern. Just reaching out.

 

[jksu]

Any concern that a 256GB will be slower than a 512GB SSD? Looking at a 13" MBP and trying to decide on the HDD. Space isn't an issue, just concerned about speed.

512 is faster but not really perceivable in day to day use. if you don't need the space save your money

 

[Sanpete]

What use do you have in mind where you think the speed difference will matter? There is most likely a significant difference for moving large files, but for most things you wouldn't notice.

 

[djinn]

What use do you have in mind where you think the speed difference will matter? There is most likely a significant difference for moving large files, but for most things you wouldn't notice.

Doing some school stuff and programming. I do need to run a Windows VM for some visual studio work. That's about it.

 

[TrueBlou]

Doing some school stuff and programming. I do need to run a Windows VM for some visual studio work. That's about it.

Speed aside, both are fast enough for you not to care. Space should be your primary concern. As a programmer myself and also using VM's (among the many other apps needed for development work) I found that I really pushed the limit of a 256GB SSD before too long and had to upgrade to a 512 (on my iMac.)

I noticed a considerable difference when I switched. Not just because the drive was faster, but also because there was a lot more free space on the drive for swap files and so on. Whereas with the 256 I had got to a point where there was almost no space at all for swap files and caching.

Of course that'll depend entirely on how many apps you install and how much storage your files take up, along with the VM's.

 

[rutrack]

Speed aside, both are fast enough for you not to care. Space should be your primary concern. As a programmer myself and also using VM's (among the many other apps needed for development work) I found that I really pushed the limit of a 256GB SSD before too long and had to upgrade to a 512 (on my iMac.)

I noticed a considerable difference when I switched. Not just because the drive was faster, but also because there was a lot more free space on the drive for swap files and so on. Whereas with the 256 I had got to a point where there was almost no space at all for swap files and caching.

Of course that'll depend entirely on how many apps you install and how much storage your files take up, along with the VM's.

I'll second that, you'd probably want to keep at least 10% of your drive free for cache, swapping, logs, indexing, vm snapshots etc. Speed of ssd is the least factor to consider, they are both very fast.

 

[djinn]

Awesome.. I really appreciate the comments everyone. I am sorry that it was a generic question, but there was reason for it. Again, thank you very much!!! Very helpful!

 

[Weaselboy]

Look at the disk speed tests in the Ars Technica review here. They show the 512 faster than the 256 and that is consistent with about all flash storage devices due to the way the chips are laid out on larger drives.

There is a thread here with some 1TB tests and they are a little faster than the 512, but not a whole lot.

Just from reading SSD reviews in general over the years, the speed bump from larger drives really diminishes after 512GB. I'd be really surprised if you could tell the difference between 1TB and 2TB.

See my earlier post here from another thread. There is some difference, but in normal usage you will never notice the difference. If you don't need the added space, it is certainly not worth spending the extra money on the 512 just for the speed.