Looking to upgrade current 64GB SSD to 256GB SSD

[BlindWolf8]

Hi guys,
I am interested in upgrading my current SSD for my main rig.

Here are my specs:
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i, BIOS version 2003
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core BX80605I5750
RAM: G.SKILL Trident 4GB DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD (considering upgrading to 8GB)
Video Card: Sapphire Vapor-X 100283VXL Radeon HD 5770 1GB
PSU: Corsair HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W
SSDs/Hard Drives:
1 x Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB (internal, Windows install, large program installs)
1 x WD VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10,000 RPM (internal, games/large program installs)
2 x WD Caviar Green WD10EARS 1TB 5,400 RPM (internal, RAID 1, storage/backup)
1 x WD Caviar Green WD10EARS 1TB 5,400 RPM (internal drive in external enclosure, eSATA, backup of all internal drives)
CD/DVD: Samsung SH-S203N
Case: Thermaltake Element V VL20001W2Z
OS: Windows 7 SP 1 x64 Home Premium

Looking for:
I'm looking for a 256GB SSD.

Use:
I am a game developer and the 256GB SSD drive will be for my Windows installation and all of my programs. (games, Adobe Master Collection, Unity, etc.)

Use for other drives:
My Crucial 64GB SSD and the WD VelociRaptor will be sold. The WD Caviar Greens will be kept for storage/backup purposes.

Allegiance & Recommendations:
I am open to any recommendations for drives. I have no allegiances towards any companies. (Although if Western Digital made one, I would use that in a heartbeat if costs were not prohibitive ) I need something that is stable and that will last me for many years. For example, I have had the WD VelociRaptor for 4 years with no issues.

Concerns:
■Concern 1: I have a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 TV tuner card which I use to watch TV on my PC using Windows Media Center. I rarely use the timeshifting feature in Windows Media Center but I am concerned about all those small writes to the SSD cutting the life of the drive down. I can change the location of the timeshifting folder but it would be nice to get input from someone else on this feature and SSDs.
■Concern 2: I'll be using Unity for game development purposes and I believe this program likes to thrash the drive. I am concerned about the drive going on me down the line.

Possible contenders:
■$299.99 - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2BAA 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC
■$329.99 - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC

Thank you for any help you can provide.

 

[BlindWolf8]

I was thinking about your questions about firmware updates. Began to wonder if you were thinking of something like the monthly Microsoft Windows updates, patches, and fixes. It is just the opposite with ssd firmware. The holy grail would be an ssd that does not develop any major problems and does not require any firmware updates to fix those problems. Second best would a minor firmware update to fix a minor problem that a few users might experience.

Well I simply asked because with my Crucial m4 I've had to update it multiple times. I believe in most instances they've improved performance.

PS: Can anyone else throw their hat into the ring as to my two concerns in the OP? Thanks!

 

[kovaxo]

Go wtih the Samsung 830 its would be a good choice either samsung or intel 520 no 3rd

At the 240/256 GB capacity point, Samsung's 830 is the fastest in our internally-generated trace, outpacing the 256 GB m4 by roughly 20%. Yet, getting this performance advantage requires that you pay an extra 15%. SandForce-based drives make for a good comparison, too, but the 256 GB 830 outperforms the 240 GB Vertex 3, while only commanding a 3% premium.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-review-benchmark,3139-5.html

 

[BlindWolf8]

It's now May and I believe I'm ready to pull the trigger. Looks like the Sammy 830 is still holding strong. Any last-minute objections or news of an upcoming, better model? http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-storage-value,3184-6.html

 

[geogolem]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Hitachi-Storage-ssd-12gb-sas,15502.html

 

[BlindWolf8]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Hitachi-Storage-ssd-12gb-sas,15502.html

That may be good a year or two from now, but I was thinking of something that would release this month and be competitive to the 830. If I don't get any replies soon I'll pull the trigger.

 

[BlindWolf8]

Just pulled the trigger on the 830. Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[BlindWolf8]

Best answer selected by BlindWolf8.