SSD Buying Guide

[IngerMan]

So I just installed 8GB of RAM about a week ago. Gave a bit of a performance boost but with a staff discount I couldn't pass it up. I just recently got a 256GB Crucial M4 SSD. Put it in about 45minutes ago. Wow the performance boost is crazy. Best purchase I've made in a long time . Using my old HD as a backup now with Time Machine.

BTW I got a 2011 13inch 2.7ghz i7 MBP and it feels like a brand new computer.



SSD FTW haha.

LOL, it is a brand new computer before the upgrade :roll eyes:

Nice to hear your happy with the BOOST

 

[Dorde]

LOL, it is a brand new computer before the upgrade :roll eyes:

Nice to hear your happy with the BOOST

Hahha yeah, still happy with the upgrade.

 

[KPOM]

Has anyone had issues using an Intel 320? Whenever I attempt to clone my system drive onto it using CCC, it appears to work, but then when I unmount it and remount it, I get the "disk cannot be repaired" error message and can read, but not write to the disk. I've tried formatting the SSD and re-cloning, but the same issue crops up fairly quickly.

Perhaps I just have a bad disk, but are there any other ideas?

 

[trajan2448]

INTEL is using Sandforce in their NEW 520 SSD's and they have found them to be very reliable after intensive testing, so the rubbish about old Sandforce controllers is not applicable.

I would go with Crucial M4 instead. Agility 3 is a SandForce based drive and hence not really known for reliability. Plus the Crucial is actually slightly cheaper.



Couple of thing: That drive is only 64GB. After over-provisioning and OS X install, you would most likely have around 50GB of free space. That's very little given that it would be your primary storage. I would get at least 128GB.

Moreover, Patriot drives are very hit&miss. That specific drive uses Phison controller and to be honest, this is the first time I've seen that name. It promises decent speeds but it may also mean incompatibility and poor reliability. I would stick with known controllers.



Serial ATA (or usually just SATA) is the interface used by most internal hard drives and SSDs. The difference between SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s is their speed: SATA 3Gb/s is good for up to 3 Gigabits per second while SATA 6Gb/s is good for up to 6 Gigabits per second. When 8b/10b encoding is taken into account, we are looking at ~280MB/s and ~580MB/s in real world.

In a nutshell, SATA 6Gb/s is twice as fast as SATA 3Gb/s, However, keep in mind that the actual bandwidth is determined by the SSD and its controller, NAND configuration etc. SATA 6Gb/s SSD is not automatically twice as fast as SATA 3Gb/s SSD.



I've said this before but SSD is the biggest upgrade you can make today. It's not just marketing speech, it really makes a difference. How much it's worth is another question, though. I would look into the Optibay solution as 512GB SSDs are really expensive. Optibay allows you to have both SSD and HD inside your MBP at the expense of the optical drive. That way even a 128GB SSD should be more than fine, which cuts the cost a lot.

 

[Weaselboy]

INTEL is using Sandforce in their NEW 520 SSD's and they have found them to be very reliable after intensive testing, so the rubbish about old Sandforce controllers is not applicable.

Before you go calling rubbish, you might want to read up on what is happening here. Intel has developed their own firmware version together with Sandforce for the 520 SSD, and this firmware is not available to other SSD manufacturers. Apparently Intel did a lot of testing with Sandforce to fix reliability issues with the SF-2281 controller. So at best, the SF-2281 only as used in the Intel 520 may be more reliable than previous Sandforce controlled drives. Quote below from the article.

The important takeaway is anything fixed in Intel's firmware isn't necessarily going to be fixed in other SF-2281 based drives in the near term.

 

[new1macuser]

Sorry for the late response. Glad to hear that you got it working. As for doing the update with a PC, the process is simple.

1. Remove SSD from Mac (obviously)
2. Connect to a Windows PC internal SATA port on the motherboard, making sure to connect both the data and power cables (very important. The update CANNOT be done if the drive is connected externally using USB, Firewire, etc. The drive must be connected internally using a SATA port)
3. Run firmware update using bootable CD using instructions from Crucial for Windows PCs
4. Reinstall SSD in MBP.

One thing to note, for past firmware updates the BIOS needed to be set to IDE mode (not AHCI) and the drive needed to be connected to a SATA II 3Gb/s port (as opposed to a SATA III 6Gb/s port) however from what I have read on the Crucial forum these are no longer necessary with others having reported successfully updating to firmware 0309 while connected to a SATA III port in AHCI mode. If you need to use a friend's PC there is a good chance they know how to change the BIOS and which SATA ports are II and III so it shouldn't be a problem. The update could also easily be done using a Mac Pro, again using one of the internal SATA ports.

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. Sincerely appreciated.

 

[randscreen]

Samsung 830 Desktop vs Laptop version?

It looks like there's a place that has the Samsung 830 *desktop* version on sale this weekend, and I'm tempted to bite. If my research is correct, the difference between the desktop version and the laptop version is only in the 'extras' that come with the drive (cables, spacer, etc). Does anyone know if it matters which version I get for putting it into my MBP (late 2011 15")? I'm planning to put it in my optibay.

Oh, and thanks for the great thread Hellhammer.

 

[Agent-P]

Okay, after searching around for a bit, I cannot find a straight answer anywhere. I have been using an Intel X25-M 80gb ssd for a few months now on my 2011 MBP running 10.7.3. Do I need to use TRIM Enabler to get TRIM working for this drive? Or is mine one that doesn't need it? I'm leaning toward I need it, but I don't want to try anything yet.

 

[NickZac]

So I was going to buy the Intel 510 or Crucial M4. I was leaning towards the M4 until I noticed that the Cherryville 520 Intel has been released and is doing both read and write speeds in excess of 500mbps...anyone have experience with it? Think it will be as good reliability wise as the Elmcrest 510? I realize the Elmcrest has 34nm and Cherryville 25nm flash, but I don't think that will make much a difference given 25 will still last a loooooong time, right?

 

[Hellhammer]

It looks like there's a place that has the Samsung 830 *desktop* version on sale this weekend, and I'm tempted to bite. If my research is correct, the difference between the desktop version and the laptop version is only in the 'extras' that come with the drive (cables, spacer, etc). Does anyone know if it matters which version I get for putting it into my MBP (late 2011 15")? I'm planning to put it in my optibay.

Oh, and thanks for the great thread Hellhammer.

The drives are exactly the same. Desktop version comes with 2.5" to 3.5" bracket and SATA data and power cables (you don't need them, though). The extras can be useful in the future though so getting the desktop version is a wise decision, especially if it's cheaper.

Okay, after searching around for a bit, I cannot find a straight answer anywhere. I have been using an Intel X25-M 80gb ssd for a few months now on my 2011 MBP running 10.7.3. Do I need to use TRIM Enabler to get TRIM working for this drive? Or is mine one that doesn't need it? I'm leaning toward I need it, but I don't want to try anything yet.

You need to use TRIM Enabler if you want to enable TRIM. IIRC TRIM works fine with X25-M G2 80GB (make sure it's G2) so feel free to enable it if you want to. You can always disable it in case it causes issues.

So I was going to buy the Intel 510 or Crucial M4. I was leaning towards the M4 until I noticed that the Cherryville 520 Intel has been released and is doing both read and write speeds in excess of 500mbps...anyone have experience with it? Think it will be as good reliability wise as the Elmcrest 510? I realize the Elmcrest has 34nm and Cherryville 25nm flash, but I don't think that will make much a difference given 25 will still last a loooooong time, right?

34nm and and 25nm MLC NAND are both rated at 3000-5000 P/E cycles. Either way, there is no need to worry about this since even 3000 P/E cycles is a lot and takes years to go through. 520 Series is still fairly new so that can be a concern but it should be a solid choice if you're looking for the fastest SSD on the market.

 

[macuser2134]

520 Series is still fairly new so that can be a concern but it should be a solid choice if you're looking for the fastest SSD on the market.

The Intel drive is excellent but not unrivalled. There are other options. Perhaps you might want to enable Filevault 2 on your Mac? Then it may be worth considering either the Plextor PX-256M3 or PX-256M3P.

There was a bad case posted a while ago here involving Plextor M3 and a 13" Macbook Pro. We may not find out what was the cause of that incident for sure. However it would be great to hear any additional reports positive or negative about how these Plextor SSDs fare with Mac hardware.

 

[Agent-P]

You need to use TRIM Enabler if you want to enable TRIM. IIRC TRIM works fine with X25-M G2 80GB (make sure it's G2) so feel free to enable it if you want to. You can always disable it in case it causes issues.

Alright. It is a G2 Intel ssd. I'll download TRIM enabler and let you know how it goes. Thanks!

EDIT: TRIM Enabler says everything's up and running after a reboot of my Mac.

 

[trajan2448]

Before you go calling rubbish, you might want to read up on what is happening here. Intel has developed their own firmware version together with Sandforce for the 520 SSD, and this firmware is not available to other SSD manufacturers. Apparently Intel did a lot of testing with Sandforce to fix reliability issues with the SF-2281 controller. So at best, the SF-2281 only as used in the Intel 520 may be more reliable than previous Sandforce controlled drives. Quote below from the article.

I trust Intels R and D. They also have the lowest failure rate in the business, much lower than crucial.

 

[Hellhammer]

I trust Intels R and D. They also have the lowest failure rate in the business, much lower than crucial.

But you have to remember that Intel has not used SandForce based controller in the past. We are looking at a totally new product, and it's always possible that there are bugs. The 8MB bug in 320 Series is a good example that even Intel isn't perfect.

 

[macchiato2009]

I agree

If i were you i would keep buying the 510 for the moment, because it's 100% made by Intel

the 2 best SSD at the moment are still the Intel 510 and Samsung 830: great performance, reliability and 100% compatible with all Macs without any issue or need to update firmware

 

[Hellhammer]

If i were you i would keep buying the 510 for the moment, because it's 100% made by Intel

It's not, the controller is made by Marvell (same as in Crucial M4 and Plextor M3). Samsung and OCZ seem to be the only OEMs with in-house SATA 6Gb/s controllers.

 

[paul117]

i have a Kingston Hyper-X SSD Installed in my macbook pro early 2011 model... it is very fast and only takes 17 seconds to boot up from pressing power buttons

 

[macchiato2009]

It's not, the controller is made by Marvell (same as in Crucial M4 and Plextor M3). Samsung and OCZ seem to be the only OEMs with in-house SATA 6Gb/s controllers.

thanks for this info

i thought Intel was manufacturing 100% of its SSD

 

[TexasChemE]

This thread is immensely helpful! I'm thinking about making the plunge and doing an SSD/HDD setup on my 15'' MBP. Thank you Hellhammer and everyone else that has made useful contributions to this thread!

 

[KPOM]

thanks for this info

i thought Intel was manufacturing 100% of its SSD

They do for their SATA II drives, but they don't have a SATA III controller ready yet, and so for the 510 series they worked with SandForce to use one of theirs. They made extensive changes to the firmware, however, so it should be more reliable than other SandForce drives.

 

[Weaselboy]

They do for their SATA II drives, but they don't have a SATA III controller ready yet, and so for the 510 series they worked with SandForce to use one of theirs. They made extensive changes to the firmware, however, so it should be more reliable than other SandForce drives.

I think you mean they used Sandforce for the new Intel 520. The 510 uses a Marvell controller.

 

[NickZac]

I think you mean they used Sandforce for the new Intel 520. The 510 uses a Marvell controller.

The 520 is SandForce driven?!?!

 

[NickZac]

I trust Intels R and D. They also have the lowest failure rate in the business, much lower than crucial.

The current Crucial SSD, the M4, seems to be as reliable as Intel. The reviews speak for themselves. The M4 has about as high of a customer satisfaction rating as you can get...

 

[KPOM]

The 520 is SandForce driven?!?!

Yes. AnandTech had a review of it a week ago. They did extensive testing and made some changes to the firmware, so it should be reliable, but perhaps not up to Intel's normal standards.

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I think you mean they used Sandforce for the new Intel 520. The 510 uses a Marvell controller.

Yes, that's correct. I had the 520 and 510 mixed.

 

[trajan2448]

The current Crucial SSD, the M4, seems to be as reliable as Intel. The reviews speak for themselves. The M4 has about as high of a customer satisfaction rating as you can get...

In actual studies, not comments sections, Intel leads the pack with half of one percent failure rate.
This is from a review last week: Based on test results, the Intel 520 Series 240GB is a rock solid performer, we can see a vast improvement over its 510 Series predecessor. Intel has waited the right time for the SF-2281 before they finally use it, due to some bugs issues with SandForce controller was facing before. For years, Intel SSD’s has an almost perfect record and goes through extensive test procedure before shipping it to consumers. This is what reliability is all about.
Why would anyone want a 510?