Best SSDs For The Money: August 2012 (Archive)

[dosmastr]

March update? how about july? the m500 has launched and its a pretty big deal. 4 Months have passed, thats forever in the computer industry. where are you guys? the best gpu for the money is ALWAYS up-to-date.... what happened here?

 

[TechnoD]

Maybe its just me...But isn't arguing about the speeds of different SSD's kinda pointless? I mean, there all going to be fast (much faster than a mechanical drive), so why does it matter if it's not "the latest and greatest'. I got a Samsung 830 series drive that boots my pc in 8 seconds and everything after that is instantaneous.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

We're updating our recommendations for March in light of the recent movements

Spot the error, right at the top...

 

[CommentariesAnd More]

So No 128GB Ultra Plus ? I could find it for 90 bucks. No 64GB , 128GB mSATA SSD ?
Just saying...........

 

[ram1009]

I can't say I read every word of this article but I definitely read enough to disagree with it's intent. First, the AVERAGE SSD user will not see enough of a performance increase to justify the expense. I bought all 4 of mine for their improved reliability and, from what I read, reliability isn't even mentioned in this article. IMHO, if reliability isn't your concern then a HDD will suffice nicely provided you do regular backups and replace them as they age. Personally, I think the author is extremely remiss for omitting the primary reason for investing in an SSD.

 

[Onus]

I cannot remember the last mechanical HDD I've had fail in use, but I do remember two SSDs failing.
For someone who is in and out of programs a lot, and doesn't keep lots of stuff open, the speed improvement from a SSD is definitely worthwhile.

 

[JPNpower]

Toms should check out the Plextor m5pro Xtreme. Same or better price than the non xtreme, better performance, usual Plextor LEGENDARY reliability.

 

[blader15sk8]

I got my 128GB Samsung SSD for $70 about 8 months ago. Sucks how they cut production of NAND, at the rate prices were dropping the same drive should have been $50 by now.

 

[vertexx]

Very timely - it's good to have this reference.

Any word on when you guys expect to get your hands on the new Intel 530 series?

Also, what's the best mSATA form factor line for the $$ right now?

 

[mapesdhs]

Re the section, "Best SSDs for ~$170: 256 GB Options, Priced to Move",
the summary table between 'SanDisk Ultra Plus' title is wrong; the data
shown is for the Mushkin Chronos Deluxe instead.

Ian.

 

[mapesdhs]

toms' pricing given here got me thinking. I reckon what's happened with
SSD pricing is not so much a case of NAND manufacture (though I'm sure
that's partly relevant), rather it's suppliers have realised they don't
have to offer SSDs below certain cost levels in order for them to sell
perfectly well. It seems like the hot spot in the UK for a 256GB SSD atm
is around 125 UKP; sellers just don't need to price them below this level
to get decent sales. This was made rather obvious back in February when
ebuyer started listing the Samsung 830 256GB for 130 UKP with free
shipping - they sold hundreds of them in just the space of a few days.
Then when the 840 came out, the 830 just vanished ("It's gone, McCready!").
Even the specs pages from seller sites were removed, which is bizarre -
normally old spec pages hang around on sites for months or years.

Perhaps NAND supply is one factor, but at least in the UK I think now
it's much more down to the basic concept of an item only ever being worth
what someone is willing to pay. Here atm people are willing to pay 125+
for a 240GB/256GB SSD no matter what type it is, so even though various
sellers should in theory have gone below 100 UKP for some 240/256GB models
by now, in reality they just don't have to.

Also, comparing UK pricing to toms' $US numbers, it seems as if there is
a clear markup in the UK on premium models. If it was simply a currency
issue then two different models from the same manufacturer ought to show
the same degree of markup from the same seller, but that's not the case
(check the Plextor info below). Most intriguing of all, the Plextor M5S
128GB is available here with apparently no currency markup at all (that's
very unusual for consumer tech products in the UK). By contrast, some
models such as the Vector have rocketed up in price since first launch
(it's 206 UKP here atm, which is kinda nuts).

Here's some pricing data I gathered, mostly from Scan but with the odd
one or two from Aria, ebuyer and Novatech:

Model                           toms' RRP    Theoretical UKP    Actual UKP
^^^^^                           ^^^^^^^^^    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^    ^^^^^^^^^^

SanDisk Ultra Plus 64GB:           $65            44 UKP          50 UKP
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 90GB:     $90            60 UKP        NOT AVAIL
Samsung 840 120GB:                $100            67 UKP          75 UKP
Plextor M5S 128GB:                $110            74 UKP          74 UKP
Plextor M5 Pro 128GB:             $130            87 UKP         108 UKP
Samsung 840 Pro 128GB:            $140            94 UKP         107 UKP
SanDisk Ultra Plus 256GB:         $170           114 UKP         126 UKP
Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB:     $185           124 UKP        NOT AVAIL
Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB:         $190           127 UKP         156 UKP
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB:            $240           160 UKP         185 UKP
Samsung 840 500GB:                $340           227 UKP         258 UKP
Crucial M500 960GB:               $600           400 UKP         450 UKP

Also worth mentioning: ebuyer has the Samsung 840 250GB for 130 UKP with
free delivery just now, IMO definitely a better buy than the SanDisk
Ultra Plus 256GB.

Ian.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

VAT. Just sayin'.

Also, in the preface it says "The list is based on some of the best U.S. prices from online retailers. In other countries or at retail stores, your mileage will most certainly vary."

 

[mapesdhs]

Nothing to do with VAT. The same rate applies to all products; the differences
between products are not consistent.

Besides, if it was VAT, then the M5S would be more expensive than it is.

Ian.

 

[Inquisitive Builder]

"You can have your cake and it, too."

The Cake is a lie!!!!!
(who all gets where this quote comes from? 😛)

 

[computertech82]

Article seems off bad. Some of these 'best buys' are also the most likely to become BRICKS (sandforce controllers). I'd rather having something that will last, then something that cost the least....just saying.

 

[phillipnolan]

Why is this one not listed in the 240 and up category -- i have been using one of the first gen models and it is smoking fast. http://ocz.com/consumer/revodrive-3-x2-pcie-ssd

 

[JPNpower]

the Revodrive? I've heard there are some issues with them. Also they are insanely priced.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Somehow this article got the image off the Shield review for it's thumbnail...

 

[MC_K7]

Article seems off bad. Some of these 'best buys' are also the most likely to become BRICKS (sandforce controllers). I'd rather having something that will last, then something that cost the least....just saying.

Yeah me too I prefer Maxwell controllers.

 

[JohnPaul McCrary]

This SSD is only 99.99 and features thermal control, power loss protection, ultra low power usage, instant boot, and its 120 gb. it think it kicks your SSD's butt.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148693

http://www.micron.com/products/solid-state-storage/client-ssd/m500-ssd

My website:
https://sites.google.com/site/thedigitaldoctorokc/

 

[Someone Somewhere]

It's $120, and most of those features are in every SSD (except power loss protection, which isn't a major issue in most cases).

 

[envy14tpe]

Where can I get a $100 Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme ? impossible to find for less than $115.

 

[giovanni86]

Even today theres hate on OCZ drives. I bought my Vertex 4 in September of 2012. I haven't updated a single thing on it. Installed OS, installed a few games and hasn't given me a single issue, almost a year now. Considering i only own two SSD's at the moment one being a samsun 830 for caching off a 3TB and the OCZ vertex 4 for my main boot drive. I'm pretty happy, but these 500-1TB of SSD storage is really making my mouth water on switching out my 256GB for one of those soon.

 

[flong777]

A lot of people commenting did not read the article very well. Make sure you read and understand what the article said before you post something stupid.

This is actually the best SSD review I have seen from Tom's. I agree with it right up to the Crucial recommendations and I just don't see Tom's point with the Crucial recommendation which have mediocre performance.

BTW TH is recommending the Mushkin DELUXE, 240 GB which is not the same nand as the.Enhanced (non-deluxe) Chronos. It can be confusing. The 240 Deluxe has gotten very good reviews but it is an older generation SSD.

 

[ram1009]

It would be nice (and accurate) if authors on this site would occasionally list improved reliability as a valid reason to invest in an SSD. Speed is nice but goes unnoticed after a few weeks of use. Reliability is permanent.