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More RAM or SSD?

Just an update. I decided to go with SSD and I just got it installed and set up OSX on it. So far it is super fast and I am happy. I am still installing apps. But opening Photoshop for example took about 2 seconds 🙂
Thanks everyone, especially Hellhammer for help.
 
tarsierspectral said:
Just an update. I decided to go with SSD and I just got it installed and set up OSX on it. So far it is super fast and I am happy. I am still installing apps. But opening Photoshop for example took about 2 seconds 🙂
Thanks everyone, especially Hellhammer for help.
Click to expand...

Which one? 😕
 
SSD all the way, baby!

Go with the SSD! 😀 I am in the same boat as you. I have a Mac Pro (8-core from Early 2008). I have 8GB of RAM. More than enough regular hard drive space.

I recently debated getting another 8GB of RAM to speed stuff up (16GB total) or get an SSD for the boot drive. I opted for the SSD boot drive. Why? Because my computer barely uses the 8GB of RAM that I already have!

I, like you, run Final Cut Studio, Photoshop CS5, and many more all at once for editing. Like I said, the 8GB of RAM is barely what is slowing things down. It's the hard drive.

Everything is soooo much faster now. Quick stats:

Before (500GB Seagate Boot Drive ST3500630AS)
Sequential
Uncached Write 28.45 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 47.21 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 11.40 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 46.28 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random
Uncached Write 1.76 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 29.35 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 0.59 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 21.00 MB/sec [256K blocks]

After (256GB Crucial SSD CT256M225)
Sequential
Uncached Write 218.13 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 154.59 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 43.33 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 241.33 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random
Uncached Write 12.16 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 202.82 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 24.55 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 171.03 MB/sec [256K blocks]
 
tarsierspectral said:
opening Photoshop for example took about 2 seconds
Click to expand...




What about things that matter, though? Have you actually done anything with the SSD that made actions of consequence faster?

I get that it's really fun to boot up and start apps... but in the grand scheme of your computing day, what does that really accomplish?
 
Sean Dempsey said:
What about things that matter, though? Have you actually done anything with the SSD that made actions of consequence faster?

I get that it's really fun to boot up and start apps... but in the grand scheme of your computing day, what does that really accomplish?
Click to expand...
It's hard to tell. My Photoshop is super fast now but I don't know if it is a result of SSD or more RAM or better processor??? I just switched from Dual core 2.66Ghz to 6 core 3.33Ghz, so naturally everything feels much much faster.
 
Hellhammer said:
Take a look at your page outs. 10GB should be sufficient and the HD is the biggest bottleneck. I would get this instead because it's newer than Vertex 1 and comes with SandForce controller which is currently the best one on the market.
Click to expand...

@Hellhammer,

I found that same ocz vertex 2 120gb here for $260 - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6371305&CatId=5300

definitely worth it? just upgraded my MBP 13" to 8gb of RAM..i'm sure an SSD would make more of an impact performance-wise and would make sure I'm getting full use of RAM..I also installed a Seagate Momentus XT drive and have noticed a speed increase - but, have read mentions of drive failure, etc? this SSD would blow that away?
 
RWil85 said:
@Hellhammer,

I found that same ocz vertex 2 120gb here for $260 - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6371305&CatId=5300

definitely worth it? just upgraded my MBP 13" to 8gb of RAM..i'm sure an SSD would make more of an impact performance-wise and would make sure I'm getting full use of RAM..I also installed a Seagate Momentus XT drive and have noticed a speed increase - but, have read mentions of drive failure, etc? this SSD would blow that away?
Click to expand...

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3734/seagates-momentus-xt-review-finally-a-good-hybrid-hdd

Momentus XT is nice but still faraway from a real SSD. Look at those benches, the Patriot drive is the closest as it has SandForce controller like the OCZ. If you have the $, it's definitely worth it
 
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