Upgrading MBP 15'' i5 to SSD?

[OzyOly]

So improved speeds (especially random read/writes), much higher size for probably similar money that the G2s cost as well as improved lifetime isn't a good enough improvement?

The Intels also seem to have more solid firmware than the SandForce stuff.

I'm torn between the Vertex 2E and the new intel G3s. Just wondering when they'll be released...

 

[nlr]

Well the maximum bandwidth of SATA II is 3Gbps like I said, I don't know what the sustained bandwidth is though, SSDs are only writing and reading in the range of 200-300MB/s at the moment though.
As for apps loading instantly, it wont just depend on your SSD, you'll have main memory and CPU to consider.
Apps load pretty much instantly with current SSDs now - check this out;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTCcJe_S6e8

Well I got a macbook pro i7 4gb ram..

and with my current 7200rpm drive it takes 2 bounces for chrome to open!!

 

[OzyOly]

Well I got a macbook pro i7 4gb ram..

and with my current 7200rpm drive it takes 2 bounces for chrome to open!!

Then it would take one bounce with an SSD, obviously the HD is the bottleneck.

 

[nlr]

Then it would take one bounce with an SSD, obviously the HD is the bottleneck.

Yeah

Whats good about the new G3?

 

[OzyOly]

Yeah

Whats good about the new G3?

Well the capacity is increasing, so the price will be cheaper also the longativity has being dramatically increased. Intel have always being above the competition and free of the problems of other drives since before the sandforce controllers.

I'm undecided whether to wait for the G3s for just go for the OCZ Vertex 2 seeing as I probably wont be using the drive for more than 2.5 years.

 

[nlr]

Well the capacity is increasing, so the price will be cheaper also the longativity has being dramatically increased. Intel have always being above the competition and free of the problems of other drives since before the sandforce controllers.

I'm undecided whether to wait for the G3s for just go for the OCZ Vertex 2 seeing as I probably wont be using the drive for more than 2.5 years.

Cool, do you think the next refresh will have sata 3? and osx in the summer will support trim?

 

[OzyOly]

Cool, do you think the next refresh will have sata 3? and osx in the summer will support trim?

I think it's a safe bet that OSX Lion will support either TRIM or have it's own pesudo garbage collection. As for SATA III, I've not got a clue. Nobody though that apple would be using C2D chips still but they are...

 

[nlr]

Thanks and sorry for all the questions..

I have folk out alot of money for my mbp do you think its worth to upgrade to SSD then?

 

[OzyOly]

Thanks and sorry for all the questions..

I have folk out alot of money for my mbp do you think its worth to upgrade to SSD then?

It depends on how fast you want it. If I had your spec machine I wouldn't bother, it would be fast enough for me!

I have a 13" MBP instead because I need to take it around with me every day at University (3rd year MEng Embedded Systems). I want it to be as snappy as a 15" machine so an SSD is my only option.

It's upto you of course, but if your machine is fast enough, stick with what you've got and maybe in a year of two upgrade to an SSD once the prices come down. That's what I'd do if I were you anyway.

 

[danwat1234]

Well the capacity is increasing, so the price will be cheaper also the longativity has being dramatically increased. Intel have always being above the competition and free of the problems of other drives since before the sandforce controllers.

I'm undecided whether to wait for the G3s for just go for the OCZ Vertex 2 seeing as I probably wont be using the drive for more than 2.5 years.

Well, the Sandforce 2000 chip will give the G3 a beating.
G3:
Sequential Read: 250MB/s
Sequential Write:170MB/s
read IOPS: 50K
write IOPS:40K
Security: AES-128

Sandforce 2000:
Sequential Read: 500MB/s
Sequential Write:500MB/s
read IOPS: 60K
write IOPS:60K
Security: AES-256


Source: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3971/...oller-sf2000-capable-of-500mbs-and-60k-iops/1

 

[OzyOly]

Well, the Sandforce 2000 chip will give the G3 a beating.
G3:
Sequential Read: 250MB/s
Sequential Write:170MB/s
read IOPS: 50K
write IOPS:40K
Security: AES-128

Sandforce 2000:
Sequential Read: 500MB/s
Sequential Write:500MB/s
read IOPS: 60K
write IOPS:60K
Security: AES-256

Niiiice.

 

[miata]

Which chip does the OWC SSD units employ?

 

[OzyOly]

Which chip does the OWC SSD units employ?

What, do you mean controllers or the actual NAND flash?

Controller wise it's the Sandforce 1200/1500 atm. And the flash I'd go out on a limb and say Samsung as they make most of the world's flash.

 

[miata]

What, do you mean controllers or the actual NAND flash?

Controller wise it's the Sandforce 1200/1500 atm. And the flash I'd go out on a limb and say Samsung as they make most of the world's flash.

Thanks Ozy. I was wondering about the Sandforce 2000 chip that was being mentioned earlier. Sounds like the OWC still use an earlier version, but of course it has been scoring very well on benchmarks, so...

 

[danwat1234]

1

 

[RayK]

I'd say to stick with a Sandforce controller drive or an Intel one. I own an Intel and a samsung (in an Air) and the Intel is a much better drive. Much faster and I haven't had any problem with speed degradation.