New, reliable, SSD; Intel 520 or Kingston HyperX?

[kiddingguy]

Given this thread I am kinda looking for a more reliable SSD than my current OCZ as a boot disk for my main computer.

I have two in mind: Intel 520 120 GB or Kingston HyperX 120 GB

Which one do you guys recommend and why?

I can use the SATA III connection and speed, because my mobo supports it.

[Glassed Silver]

Personally I'd avoid SandForce based models...

Glassed Silver:mac

[kiddingguy]

Both have Sandforce controllers. Which other brand/SSD would you recommend?

[neufuse Veteran]

Personally I'd avoid SandForce based models...

Glassed Silver:mac

care to explain why? they've corrected pretty much all the original issues with sandforce controllers... and its one of the widest used controllers now that intel helps with its development

[Glassed Silver]

care to explain why? they've corrected pretty much all the original issues with sandforce controllers... and its one of the widest used controllers now that intel helps with its development

Hmm interesting...

I shall look into comparison tables then again sooner or later...

Still waiting for decent prices for 500GB models. Or ideally 1TB drives...

Glassed Silver:mac

[shiven]

Since I'm now officially a soon-to-be member of this still rather exclusive club of SSD owners, may I suggest, with my limited knowledge, the Vertex 4? I know you don't want an OCZ again, but since the V4 has a Marvell based controller instead of Sandforce (as with previous installments of the Vertex line), perhaps you will reconsider? But if not, and you're set on one of the two you mentioned, I'd probably go for the Intel 520. As far as specs go, they seem about the same. I haven't heard anything about Kingston SSD's, but Intel's are always mentioned in a favorable light.

[Open Minded]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236

I know it has the Sandforce controller, but I just built a rig for a friend and used the 60 gig model of this drive and it works great. No firmware updates were needed to fix any issues, which is more than I can say for my SSD, among others.

It's 120 gig for under 100 bucks. 90k IOPS, 550 meg/sec read 515 meg/sec write and comes with the adapter bracket. I'm thinking about picking up two for a disk stripe.

[still1]

I just got Intel 520 120GB today at work. Its supper fast. I totally recommend it.

[BoneyardBrew Member]

SandForce is definitely maturing with Intel at the helm. Of the two I'd recommend that one for reliability.

If you're taking suggestions and manage to find Shiven's thread about SSDs we came to the conclusion either the Vertex 4 or the Crucial M4 are the way to go. I've owned two Crucial drives already (and only upgraded for increased capacity) and they're rock solid and fast. The Vertex 4 shies away from SandForce and uses an Indilinx Everest 2 controller which is also a viable alternative, with an even faster write speed than the M4. Retailers tend to price the Vertex 4 a little higher than the M4, so it depends on whether the price difference is worth it if you take either into consideration.

[Open Minded]

Here's a good review by Tom's-

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-review,3194.html

[kiddingguy]

So Vertex 4 over Intel, right?

Is OCZ latest (far) better than Vertex 1 and 2? - which I currently own

[Astra.Xtreme]

The Vertex 4 is definitely the one to get right now. The Intel one is nice, but it's really expensive and the performance isn't as great as the other ones available.

[kiddingguy]

Will the Vertex 4 give me the same issues as my other Vertex's 1 and 2?

Or are these controller-related and/or model/time related?

[Astra.Xtreme]

Will the Vertex 4 give me the same issues as my other Vertex's 1 and 2?

Or are these controller-related and/or model/time related?

What issues have you had? I've used every version of OCZ SSD (except for the 4) and they are all still running strong.

I'm assuming you have the latest firmware running on them, correct?

[mattmatik]

Sorry to jump the thread but I have a question re: SSD. I'm doing a new build and am curious what kind of perfomance there is when Win7 is on SSD but games are on HDD? Is there a noticeable hit? Should I wait and get the biggest SSD I can afford?

[shiven]

Sorry to jump the thread but I have a question re: SSD. I'm doing a new build and am curious what kind of perfomance there is when Win7 is on SSD but games are on HDD? Is there a noticeable hit? Should I wait and get the biggest SSD I can afford?

You'll probably be able to read them at whatever speed your HDD is at. I assume it would be similar to plugging in an external HDD and running a game off of that. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

[Squuiid]

Personally I'd avoid SandForce based models...

+1. Sandforce does not equal reliability. I really wish Intel had not moved to Sandforce; bad move IMO. They may have fixed the issues in their firmware, but time will tell.

As for a recommendation, I have bought 50+ Samsung 830s, both in 128Gb and 256Gb models and they are excellent. Very fast, reliable and work as well in Macs as they do in PCs. You can't go wrong.

http://www.anandtech...-ssd-830-review

http://www.anandtech...-to-sandforce/9

[BoneyardBrew Member]

Sorry to jump the thread but I have a question re: SSD. I'm doing a new build and am curious what kind of perfomance there is when Win7 is on SSD but games are on HDD? Is there a noticeable hit? Should I wait and get the biggest SSD I can afford?

Load times are really the only area you'll see an improvement. Is it nice? Yes, but not absolutely necessary.

I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 128GB drive considering they don't cost any more than $150 or so.

[kiddingguy]

What issues have you had? I've used every version of OCZ SSD (except for the 4) and they are all still running strong.

I'm assuming you have the latest firmware running on them, correct?

Yes I have all latest firmware.

I have to plug out the powercable once in a while to get the SSD recognized again. Kinda annoying I must say.....

[kiddingguy]

Based on your comments and reviews I ordered a Vertex 4 128 GB.

Hope this will fix my problems...

[Odom Member]

I had an OCZ Vertex 2 and recently swapped it out for a Kingston Hyper X 240GB, as I needed more space. Also got another Kingston for my laptop to replace the drive. I don't run any benchmarks, so I can't give y ou any numbers, but I have had no problems with either one.

soLoredd, on 30 May 2012 - 23:35, said:

Sorry to jump the thread but I have a question re: SSD. I'm doing a new build and am curious what kind of perfomance there is when Win7 is on SSD but games are on HDD? Is there a noticeable hit? Should I wait and get the biggest SSD I can afford?

SSD's have much faster reads and writes, so whatever it is you want to have running faster, put it on the SSD. If you want games to run faster (less load times, better response - also widely depends on games), then it makes no sense in putting Windows on the SSD and the games on a regular HDD.

On the other hand, if you get an 128GB SSD, with almost every game now coming out having over 10GB in size, you'll run out of space fast.

[Squuiid]

Based on your comments and reviews I ordered a Vertex 4 128 GB.

Hope this will fix my problems...

Ugh, seriously? After all the advice given you go with an OCZ...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/08/ocz_bsods_ongoing/

http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/141651-High-failure-rate-of-OCZ-SSDs-yields-answers-that-raise-troubling-questions

http://news.softpedia.com/news/OCZ-Confirms-Vertex-3-and-Agility-3-Firmware-Issues-205185.shtml

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/OCZ-Octane-Firmware-Update-SATA-6Gbs,14540.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380456,00.asp

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?97995-Horrified-by-you-OCZ-3rd-failed-drive-awful-support

[kiddingguy]

What better?? Kingston HyperX? Or a different SSD?

Maybe I am able to cancel it just yet...

[DAOWAce]

Reliability? Samsung.

Speed? OCZ/Kingston.

Best of both worlds? Might be the Vertex 4 if the controller is really a custom Indilinx controller and not a re-branded Marvell like I've seen some people claim. Hasn't been long enough (and won't be for some time) for anyone to get reliability reports on the drives.

[Squuiid]

Reliability? Samsung.

Speed? OCZ/Kingston.

Best of both worlds? Might be the Vertex 4 if the controller is really a custom Indilinx controller and not a re-branded Marvell like I've seen some people claim. Hasn't been long enough (and won't be for some time) for anyone to get reliability reports on the drives.

Given OCZ's track record I would avoid them at all cost. Spending a few more bucks on Intel or Samsung is very much worth it IMO. Not sure which is cheaper though. In speed tests the Samsung 830 is on a par with the Intel 520 and I can vouch for the Intel 510 which is no longer on sale as being excellent too.

http://www.anandtech...-ssd-830-review