What S.S.D. to use

[I Shooter]

I am looking to build a new computer and wold like to use a S.S.D. for the O.S. I just don't know any thing about them. It is my understand that they are fast and don't fail very often. I have no idea what brand is good or any thing like that. Can any one help with that type of information? Thank you much for your time.

[Transfusion]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSD

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent datawith the intention of providing access in the same manner of a traditional block i/o hard disk drive. SSDs are distinguished from traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which are electromechanical devices containing spinning disks and movable read/write heads. In contrast, SSDs use microchips which retain data in non-volatile memory chips[1] and contain no moving parts.[1] Compared to electromechanical HDDs, SSDs are typically less susceptible to physical shock, are silent, have lower access time and latency, but are more expensive per gigabyte (GB) and typically support a limited number of writes over the life of the device. SSDs use the same interface as hard disk drives, thus easily replacing them in most applications.

I have never had any experience with SSDs, so I would follow this review on the top 5 SSDs:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/1680/top_5_solidstate_drives.html

[quaxo]

Comparing the price to the actually noticeable speed difference, I still think SATA drives are better. SSD drives are still way overpriced for what they offer.

[patio]

In my opinion SSD's are not quite ready for prime time...
I'll stick to SATA's ...for now at least.

[Allan]

In my opinion SSD's are not quite ready for prime time...
I'll stick to SATA's ...for now at least.

+1

[I Shooter]

This is the unit I was thinking of using. Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CT040G3B5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CT040G3B5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

    * Sustained Sequential Read: Up to 200 MB/s
    * Sustained Sequential Write: Up to 45 MB/s
    * Power Consumption (Active): 150 mW Typical
    * Power Consumption (Idle): 100 mW Typical
    * Model #: SSDSA2CT040G3B5
    * Item #: N82E16820167045
    * Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

    * Was: $109.99
    * Now: $104.99
   
    I only plan to put the O.S. and some pictures on it. The other stuff would go on an external sata hard drive.

   

[quaxo]

You'll need brackets to securely mount that in any normal case. I don't think I've seen a case with 2.5" drive bays, only laptops. You could just lay it loose in there, but I don't suggest it.

Considering you could get a 2.5TB drive for that price, you're still wasting your money. You'd have over 62 times the space and you really wouldn't notice any different except maybe a few seconds faster in the OS loading. It won't make your computer or games or movies or anything else perform better.

[patio]

They had a huge slew of SSD's that after short use went down to 8G of usable space...

As stated...i'll wait awhile.

[Computer_Commando]

...
    * Sustained Sequential Read: Up to 200 MB/s
    * Sustained Sequential Write: Up to 45 MB/s
...

I agree with the others, wait until the price vs performance is competititve with mechanical drives.
Besides, the write speed on the one shown is extremely slow.

[camerongray]

I personally have a 60gb Corsair Force 3 SSD and 2x 1tb hard drives in RAID 1 (1tb of redundant storage), I use the SSD for Windows and common programs such as my browser but I use the hard drives for larger/less used programs such as Sony Vegas.  The speed is a lot faster than a hard drive - Boot in 15-20 seconds and log in in under one second!

[I Shooter]

You talked me out of it. Thanks. That is why I come here to find out about stuff.

[quaxo]

You talked me out of it. Thanks. That is why I come here to find out about stuff.

I really believe you've made the right choice in not doing so. Eventually, solid state drives might be the right way to go, but as you can see, most of us think that time hasn't come yet.