Best SSD for ~$100 USD?

[FarNerdy]

I'm going to be using this as my boot drive for Windows 7 Pro as I already have 1TB HDD storage on the rig. See specs below for the rig I'm currently working on:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer

Can someone recommend to me a good SSD? I'm open to any size, brand, etc. - just looking for a good, reliable SSD on the market these days.

Thanks.

 

[Brillis Wuce]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148820

I have my OS, Office and a bunch of games on this thing, and it performs flawlessly. Windows 8.1 boots in under 10 seconds.

 

[photonboy]

I prefer the Samsung 840/850 EVO drives because Samsung Magician is really great and the SSD is solid as well.

There are several SSD's for cheaper that should work fine though.

*You can even get a 120GB SSD for pretty cheap now which is fine for Windows + apps. As for GAMES it only affects loading times so doesn't benefit much. Games like SKYRIM with frequent loads (maps) do benefit a lot.

**I have Skyrim loaded on an SSD which is designated as my second Steam folder (main Steam is on an HDD). You can buy one later and MOVE games over if they benefit. Backup game, delete local content and RESTORE but choose the second steam folder instead (i.e. "F:\Steam2").

Here's a good way to go.

1. 120GB SSD - Windows + apps
2. 1TB+ HDD - Steam games, backups (including Windows Image), downloads, video etc

3. 250GB SSD - for Steam 2nd folder (Games with frequent loading points like Skyrim due to map jumps/dungeons)

Options:
$40 120GB: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-internal-hard-drive-cssdf120gbls

Corsair linked above probably fine (update: I meant the first post). More SSD's (use customer feedback as a guide):
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#R=5,4&S=120000,320000&sort=a6&t=0

Other:
My point of explaining all this is partially to free you up $60 to put elsewhere on your PC (and get 2nd SSD later) if you wish. That could include an R9-280X instead or a slightly better CPU cooler to reduce noise a bit (Noctua NH-U12S) or some combo.

If so, I recommend the Asus R9-280X:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9280xdc2t3gd5

 

[RealBeast]

Yup, go with the Samsung. The 850EVO 256 is on sale at Newegg for $114 for a day or so.

 

[FarNerdy]

Yup, go with the Samsung. The 850EVO 256 is on sale at Newegg for $114 for a day or so.

Do you have a link? Only questioning because I found an 850 EVO 250 SSD for $134 on Newegg with a $15 off coupon code, but seeing as I live in California (where they add tax to online purchases), it comes out to ~$130 total, even with the coupon. I wanted to make sure this was the same one you were speaking of before I go clicking and buying whatever I find first!

Link here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147372

 

[RealBeast]

Yup, that is the one, sorry that you are taxed so much for the privilege of living in California.

 

[FarNerdy]

Yup, that is the one, sorry that you are taxed so much for the privilege of living in California.

Thanks for the clarification!