SSD Are Me! - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MickMcGeough · 12-03-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Does anyone have any experience with the Seagate Momentus XT? It's a hybrid drive. I want to get an SSD for my MBP, but don't want to lose the optical drive, and don't want to be limited to little storage space. Thinking this might be a good route to take but I was hoping others had some insight.

I don't have direct experience but as I understand it the drive moves frequently accessed data into the SSD portion of the drive on its own and there's no way you can manually choose the data you want to be quickly accessible.

sclitheroe · 12-03-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

The reviews that I read seem to be positive, not as fast as an SSD but does give a nice boost over regular drives.

I deployed one in a clients Macbook, and they were very happy with the performance.

OldDutch · 12-05-2010, 04:14 PM

I just picked up and installed this drive in my Sony Vaio i5 laptop this weekend:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...ME).aspx?cc=1\

Totally changed my opinion on my laptop. It used to be sluggish to do anything (waking up, installing, opening apps), and I hated it. Thought it was the worst purchase I ever made.

Then I installed the SSD drive, and it is totally night and day. Installed Office 2010 in less than 5 minutes. Used to take 20 mins or more. Wakes up instantly, boots up in less than a minute.

I know the drive I got isn't anywhere as good performance as the Intel X-25 drives. However, at that price, I think it is a great deal. Especially for anyone with a 5600rpm drive in their laptop. You will notice a massive improvement.

Best upgrade I think I could have done.

sclitheroe · 12-05-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDutch

I just picked up and installed this drive in my Sony Vaio i5 laptop this weekend:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...ME).aspx?cc=1\

Totally changed my opinion on my laptop. It used to be sluggish to do anything (waking up, installing, opening apps), and I hated it. Thought it was the worst purchase I ever made.

Then I installed the SSD drive, and it is totally night and day. Installed Office 2010 in less than 5 minutes. Used to take 20 mins or more. Wakes up instantly, boots up in less than a minute.

I know the drive I got isn't anywhere as good performance as the Intel X-25 drives. However, at that price, I think it is a great deal. Especially for anyone with a 5600rpm drive in their laptop. You will notice a massive improvement.

Best upgrade I think I could have done.

Good to hear that the economy segment performs well too.

OldDutch · 12-06-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Good to hear that the economy segment performs well too.

So far so good! I think it is great for any midstream laptop. Gaming for sure should be an Intel level drive.

The drive I installed supports all the basics you need (like TRIM). Plus has a 3yr warranty. By then the Intel should be in the sub $200 range.

Storage is the only drawback. However I took my old 500GB drive and put it in a $20 eSata/USB enclosure. I can store all my large files on there. Quickly transfer over if needed.

So the $80 difference with the Momentus XT was not that large in the end.

MickMcGeough · 12-06-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDutch

So far so good! I think it is great for any midstream laptop. Gaming for sure should be an Intel level drive.

The drive I installed supports all the basics you need (like TRIM). Plus has a 3yr warranty. By then the Intel should be in the sub $200 range.

Storage is the only drawback. However I took my old 500GB drive and put it in a $20 eSata/USB enclosure. I can store all my large files on there. Quickly transfer over if needed.

So the $80 difference with the Momentus XT was not that large in the end.

There's a lot of competition between Sandforce-based SSD drives, which in my experience are much faster in writes and only a bit behind in reads overall. You can find 120GB Sandforce drives for under $200 pretty easily.

Vulcan · 12-25-2010, 04:16 PM

Here's the new Kingston 128GB SSD at Memory express for $170. Boxing day only and sold out online. Luckily I'm visiting in Richmond so I might pick one up.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX31439(ME).aspx?cc=1

Hack&Lube · 12-25-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Here's the new Kingston 128GB SSD at Memory express for $170. Boxing day only and sold out online. Luckily I'm visiting in Richmond so I might pick one up.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX31439(ME).aspx?cc=1

Is it any good? Looking to migrate a friend's system to Windows 7 from XP. Might as well install it on an SSD.

-edit seems that is the slower version. The new one is V+ and not just plain V.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4010/k...lus-100-review

Vulcan · 12-26-2010, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Is it any good? Looking to migrate a friend's system to Windows 7 from XP. Might as well install it on an SSD.

-edit seems that is the slower version. The new one is V+ and not just plain V.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4010/k...lus-100-review

The old one was the V series. If you look at it;s specs(V100), this is faster. Not top of the line for sure but this is still very good for the price.

http://thessdreview.com/our-reviews/...8b-ssd-review/

Hack&Lube · 12-27-2010, 01:19 PM

Way better deal now. X25-M 120GB's are $179.99 after rebate.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...31221(ME).aspx

I'd get one but I am too poor after last month.

FanIn80 · 01-05-2011, 01:37 AM

Here's an interesting question...

I stuck a 160GB Intel SSD in my MacBook, and tomorrow I'll be swapping out the dvd drive for a second hard drive bay. Needing to pick up a second drive to stick in said bay, I'm seriously looking at the 500GB Scorpio Blue, which is a 5400RPM drive.

I'd like to go with the 5400 for the sake of lower power consumption and the lesser noise/vibration. I'm just concerned about speed issues, with an application installed on a SSD trying to access data files stored on a 5400 drive.

Should I be concerned with this? Do I need to suck it up and get the 7200RPM Scorpio Black instead? My brain is telling me I'll be fine with the 5400 drive, but I realize there may be some quirks I haven't thought of yet.

PS: The desired setup is OS/apps on the SSD, and data/media on the second drive. Identical to the way I have my Dell laptop set up.

MickMcGeough · 01-05-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Here's an interesting question...

I stuck a 160GB Intel SSD in my MacBook, and tomorrow I'll be swapping out the dvd drive for a second hard drive bay. Needing to pick up a second drive to stick in said bay, I'm seriously looking at the 500GB Scorpio Blue, which is a 5400RPM drive.

I'd like to go with the 5400 for the sake of lower power consumption and the lesser noise/vibration. I'm just concerned about speed issues, with an application installed on a SSD trying to access data files stored on a 5400 drive.

Should I be concerned with this? Do I need to suck it up and get the 7200RPM Scorpio Black instead? My brain is telling me I'll be fine with the 5400 drive, but I realize there may be some quirks I haven't thought of yet.

PS: The desired setup is OS/apps on the SSD, and data/media on the second drive. Identical to the way I have my Dell laptop set up.

I have the same setup with a 7200rpm 500GB drive in the optical bay. The extra drive is used exclusively for media & Time Machine backups of critical stuff. When I'm on battery, Time Machine is off and I rarely need my full iTunes library. When the drive isn't in use, I have OSX set to put the drive to sleep, so having the extra horsepower in the HDD doesn't cost me any battery life.

Also, this is old but probably relevant: http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=795432 Unless things have changed drastically since then, the 5400rpm Scorpio isn't that much easier on battery than the 7200rpm.

PS: Hope you didn't cheap out on the optical bay! There's some nasty stuff out there...

FanIn80 · 01-05-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I have the same setup with a 7200rpm 500GB drive in the optical bay. The extra drive is used exclusively for media & Time Machine backups of critical stuff. When I'm on battery, Time Machine is off and I rarely need my full iTunes library. When the drive isn't in use, I have OSX set to put the drive to sleep, so having the extra horsepower in the HDD doesn't cost me any battery life.

Also, this is old but probably relevant: http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=795432 Unless things have changed drastically since then, the 5400rpm Scorpio isn't that much easier on battery than the 7200rpm.

PS: Hope you didn't cheap out on the optical bay! There's some nasty stuff out there...

Hmm. That's pretty interesting. I assumed the 5400 would be a huge difference in power consumption, but I guess not. I researched it a bit when it first came out, and knew it had almost the same speed rating as the 7200, just figured the advantage would have been a lower power drain.

I did cheap out... I let a friend talk me into ordering one on eBay for $12. I haven't seen them yet, but he says his works perfectly. I'm picking mine up today, so we'll see. I'm not someone who typically takes the cheap road over quality, but being a student these days... Well, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, if it doesn't work out, I've only lost $12. Then I'll just suck it up and order a real OptiBay model.

Ps, thanks for the power consumption tips. I can't believe I didn't even think of that.

sclitheroe · 01-05-2011, 10:10 AM

Something to note about using spinning drives in the optical bay - it's my understanding that the Mac's built in sudden motion sensor will not park the heads on the optical mounted drive if there is shock or vibration.

I believe you can find laptop drives with the sudden motion sensor tech built in, but I don't know if it would be enabled by default, etc.

Something worth researching while you wait for the drive sled to arrive.

MickMcGeough · 01-05-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Hmm. That's pretty interesting. I assumed the 5400 would be a huge difference in power consumption, but I guess not. I researched it a bit when it first came out, and knew it had almost the same speed rating as the 7200, just figured the advantage would have been a lower power drain.

I did cheap out... I let a friend talk me into ordering one on eBay for $12. I haven't seen them yet, but he says his works perfectly. I'm picking mine up today, so we'll see. I'm not someone who typically takes the cheap road over quality, but being a student these days... Well, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, if it doesn't work out, I've only lost $12. Then I'll just suck it up and order a real OptiBay model.

Ps, thanks for the power consumption tips. I can't believe I didn't even think of that.

I've read a lot of horror stories on the macrumors forums about drive failures from drives shaking around in cheap optical bays.

If the ebay one doesn't work out, this is the one I use:
http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?...66113102d5f606

Pop the black bevel off and it works perfectly (I think they've got one without the bevel now, too). Bolts down properly and everything's snug. Plus it doesn't cost $100 or whatever the OptiBay does (but of course it doesn't come with a superdrive enclosure).

MickMcGeough · 01-05-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Something to note about using spinning drives in the optical bay - it's my understanding that the Mac's built in sudden motion sensor will not park the heads on the optical mounted drive if there is shock or vibration.

I believe you can find laptop drives with the sudden motion sensor tech built in, but I don't know if it would be enabled by default, etc.

Something worth researching while you wait for the drive sled to arrive.

Actually I remember reading something about this, and that in an SSD+HDD configuration, it's actually better to put the SSD in the optical bay and the HDD in the standard shock-resistant drive bay.

Hack&Lube · 01-05-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Actually I remember reading something about this, and that in an SSD+HDD configuration, it's actually better to put the SSD in the optical bay and the HDD in the standard shock-resistant drive bay.

That makes perfect sense, you should do that.

FanIn80 · 01-05-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Something to note about using spinning drives in the optical bay - it's my understanding that the Mac's built in sudden motion sensor will not park the heads on the optical mounted drive if there is shock or vibration.

I believe you can find laptop drives with the sudden motion sensor tech built in, but I don't know if it would be enabled by default, etc.

Something worth researching while you wait for the drive sled to arrive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Actually I remember reading something about this, and that in an SSD+HDD configuration, it's actually better to put the SSD in the optical bay and the HDD in the standard shock-resistant drive bay.

I didn't even think of that. What if I skipped on the Western Digital ones, and instead went for this Seagate with drop-detection: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...3361(ME).aspx?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I've read a lot of horror stories on the macrumors forums about drive failures from drives shaking around in cheap optical bays.

If the ebay one doesn't work out, this is the one I use:
http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?...66113102d5f606

Pop the black bevel off and it works perfectly (I think they've got one without the bevel now, too). Bolts down properly and everything's snug. Plus it doesn't cost $100 or whatever the OptiBay does (but of course it doesn't come with a superdrive enclosure).

I saw you mention that one earlier. I priced out what a good optical enclosure would cost, and it ends up working out to pretty close to the same cost anyway. The deciding factor would be shipping, really.

Edit: Although, I could pick up this bad boy: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...29914(ME).aspx which would lean things back towards New Modus side. I'm getting ahead of myself though. I still don't know if I need to buy a new bay or not.

Edit: Whoops. Never mind, I forgot I'd need an IDE enclosure for the dvd drive. I'd have to go with this guy: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...19064(ME).aspx, which makes it about $85 altogether. Compared to $99 for the OptiBay with the (better) free enclosure.

MickMcGeough · 01-05-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I didn't even think of that. What if I skipped on the Western Digital ones, and instead went for this Seagate with drop-detection: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...3361(ME).aspx?

I saw you mention that one earlier. I priced out what a good optical enclosure would cost, and it ends up working out to pretty close to the same cost anyway. The deciding factor would be shipping, really.

Edit: Although, I could pick up this bad boy: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...29914(ME).aspx which would lean things back towards New Modus side. I'm getting ahead of myself though. I still don't know if I need to buy a new bay or not.

Edit: Whoops. Never mind, I forgot I'd need an IDE enclosure for the dvd drive. I'd have to go with this guy: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...19064(ME).aspx, which makes it about $85 altogether. Compared to $99 for the OptiBay with the (better) free enclosure.

For me the NewModeus one saved me $50+ because I didn't really need the optical drive, period. My superdrive sits in my MBP box waiting the day I sell it.

I wouldn't bother with an enclosure if you absolutely need a DVD drive. A complete external DVD writer shouldn't cost more than $30
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...28082(ME).aspx

Hack&Lube · 01-05-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I wouldn't bother with an enclosure if you absolutely need a DVD drive. A complete external DVD writer shouldn't cost more than $30
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...28082(ME).aspx

Great drive, the same one cost me $50 last year. Because of these things I don't even have an optical drive in my desktop anymore.