Looking to buy SSD and need advice.
 

Hi to all at LQ.

I am looking to buy a SSD for the first time. Are there any brands that are the best or better than most? Any models that are more GNU/Linux compatible? Or are all SSD's Linux compatible?

I have a Desktop ~ should I go for a 2.5″ drive and use a bracket or opt for a 3.5″ drive?

Thanks.

There are a lot of choices out there. I have a Samsung drive and I'd recommend it. Zero problems. I'd also be inclined to recommend Kingston because I've used their memory products a ton and have zero problems with those.

I have a Samsung 850 series SSD.

I would just get a 2.5" drive and use a bracket of some type.

Hi rtmistler.

Thanks for the tips.

Is this the one you have? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-2-5-...ds=Samsung+850

No, mine's 500G. So not that exact model/size, but it looks identical.

Oh, and don't fret over the "vertical" that has nothing to do with drive orientation, but instead how the NAND gates are organized or however they specialized their storage technology. For some reason they seem to feel that being descriptive there matters.

Member response
 

Hi,
I use 'SSD' all the time now. 'HDD' are used for archival on my systems, be it a Server, Laptop or Desktop. Differences for the 'SSD' are the cel types 'SLC' vs 'MLC'. Most consumer 'SSD' are 'MLC' to keep the cost down for production. Some users prefer a 'Sandforce' controller. Some manufactures will use a custom controller such as a Marvel or Prisom. One reason for me to stay with a Sandforce controller based 'SSD', since I can setup the 'SSD' without to much effort with my experience with Sandforce. My preferences are 'OCZ','Crucial', 'SanDisk' but I have used 'Samsung' drives. My first 'SSD' was a 'Intel X25-M' and is still in use.

If you configure the 'SSD' for your Distribution needs then you should have no issues. I suggest that you do a Search here on LQ to get some very helpful information. I stick with the 2.5 drives since that affords me the move to a Laptop when necessary. You can get mounts to fit the 2.5 to a 3.5 bay. You can also look at vertical mount techniques.
Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

Most people I know that do a lot of builds recommend either Samsung(850) or anything from Intel. The trick with SSDs is in the firmware and Intel's firmware has proven to be the most reliable. IIRC the Samsung uses the Intel firmware for their 850 product line. I really wouldn't touch anything else for either linux or windows.

I've a couple of 2.5" OCZ SSDs in my desktop (I bought a 60GB one for / and liked it so much I bought a 240GB for /home when I could afford it) -- I didn't know you could get 3.5" SSDs? Not that it matters since you can put them anywhere -- mine are in drive bays in adaptors but my case allows on mounted behind the motherboard (if you're willing to take the motherboard out to screw the SSD in and out) and in my old case I had one just hanging there.
I don't know how good or not my SSDs are but I do know that OCZ provides a firmware updater and drive checking software which runs on Linux which is nice to see. I think my 60GB is a Vertex3 and the 240GB and Agility3 but it could be the other way around.

I also didn't know they came in 3.5" until I looked it up. The sort facility on NewEgg showed about 10x as many 2.5" ones as 3.5" ones, and surprisingly the 3.5" ones were very expensive. I wonder if they're considered server class or RAID class, I didn't read much, but $1400-$2000 was a LOT of $.

I have a Msata crucial 60GB for / in my laptop and a Plextor M5 Pro 512GB for /home. I bought the Plextor for the the reasonable price and the five year warranty.

I do like Plextor. There might be a few out there that are faster, but I am happy with the performance.

I have a couple of OCZ ones (60GB (3 years) and 240GB (2 years)) - no problems here.

And some good advice, check this: https://sites.google.com/site/easyti...-states-drives

Thanks for the info and tips guys.

Member response
 

Hi,
Your Welcome!

If you feel this thread is solved then press the link above the thread to mark as solved.
Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

Cheers onebuck.

How do you guys find Transcend?

Like this one here: https://www.memoryc.com/storage/ssd/...ps-ssd370.html