Best SSD, 256-512GB, for older Sandy Bridge SFF?

[VirtualLarry]

First of all, did OEM Sandy Bridge PCs have SATA6G? I'm hoping that they had at least 2 ports, but I'm not really sure. I don't remember back that far, as far as chipset specs.

But I think my H61 mATX ECS board doesn't have SATA6G.

So, should I spend money on a Crucial MX300, Samsung 850 EVO, or Intel 545s, or just get whatever is cheap-n-dirty, including used SATA2 Intel (G2, X-25M) SSDs?

This is for a client, whom is not super computer-savvy.

Going to likely do a fresh install of Windows 10 64-bit onto it, replacing a 1TB Toshiba P300, that was installed new a few months ago.

I used to be the type to buy the cheapest off-brand SSDs I could find at Newegg, or Newegg on ebay.

Now, I'm thinking I should spend the extra $10-20 on a Crucial, Samsung, or Intel, for the reliability, stability, and warranty.

If I could find one of the new Intel 545s drives discounted, I would probably go that way, because it's the newest driver / newest tech out of the three I mentioned above.

Edit: Or should I just get one of these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-643916-0...s-SSD-320-Series-SSDSA2BW160G3H-/282631570347

160GB G2 SATA2 used

I've used used / refurb Intel G2 drives, in SATA2 rigs, and honestly, they're great.

 

[cbn]

Which OEM desktop? All of the Sandy Bridge business desktops that I know of have SATA 6 Gbps.

However, the H61 chipset found on lower end consumer desktops does not have SATA 6 Gbps.

 

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...2178996&cm_re=firecuda-_-22-178-996-_-Product

Seagate 2TB 3.5" FireCuda 7200RPM SSHD?

 

[ClockHound]

Looks ok - however after getting 3rd degree data burns from the old Quantum Fireball series, I refrain from purchasing any hard drive with the word 'Fire' in its name. Once burnt...etc...

I've had good success with the HyperX MLC series and the Mushkin MLC units in Sandi builds. The new 3D MLC drives from Crucial seem like a good, reasonable cost choice too.

 

[jjmIII]

Now, I'm thinking I should spend the extra $10-20 on a Crucial, Samsung, or Intel, for the reliability, stability, and warranty.

That's my thought. Its so little extra cash...

 

[Shmee]

I would just get whatever decent name brand SSD you can get new, so that you get decent warranty. I would say crucial, WD, or Sandisk. The samsung 850 Evo will be better by a bit, but it is also a bit more typically. Tbh, I am not a big fan of intel SSDs, the consumer ones in my opinion do not seem any more reliable than say, an 850 Evo, and are generally slower. Even the NVMe 600p is hit or miss with performance.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

6x (Sandy Bridge) series chipsets didn't have SATA3. Some motherboards had it, but it was usually a crap third party controller that wasn't actually faster in most use cases than the Intel SATA2.

Any old SSD will work good, basically. I would not go used or super-old.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

... Intel (G2, X-25M) SSDs?

...

Edit: Or should I just get one of these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-643916-0...s-SSD-320-Series-SSDSA2BW160G3H-/282631570347

160GB G2 SATA2 used

I've used used / refurb Intel G2 drives, in SATA2 rigs, and honestly, they're great.

No. Just... no. Consumer electronics have a shelf life.

 

[VirtualLarry]

No. Just... no. Consumer electronics have a shelf life.

Are you referring to the used SSD, or the used Sandy Bridge PC that it would hypothetically be going into?

Both of them, physically (caps, etc.), should last another 5-10 years, if not longer.

Those older Intel SATA2 MLC SSDs, G1/G2/G3, were built like tanks, and have an amazing lifespan, as far as P/E cycles go for 20/25nm MLC Intel/Micron NAND.

I wouldn't have any issues buying one of those, and putting a vendor warranty on it for a year.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Are you referring to the used SSD, or the used Sandy Bridge PC that it would hypothetically be going into?

Both of them, physically (caps, etc.), should last another 5-10 years, if not longer.

Those older Intel SATA2 MLC SSDs, G1/G2/G3, were built like tanks, and have an amazing lifespan, as far as P/E cycles go for 20/25nm MLC Intel/Micron NAND.

I wouldn't have any issues buying one of those, and putting a vendor warranty on it for a year.

Specifically the SSD. Sandy Bridge parts would be a couple years newer and likely have some more life left in them.

The early Intel SSDs were overbuilt, but that's just not a good habit to get into; eventually they're going to start failing at higher rates and that day may be tomorrow. Find something new for a few bucks more with a 5 year manufacturer warranty and call it a day.

Penny-wise and pound-foolish.

 

[VirtualLarry]

So, you don't believe the pundits, that claim that XYZ SSD, with N TBW, will last 50 years at a consumer workload?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

So, you don't believe the pundits, that claim that XYZ SSD, with N TBW, will last 50 years at a consumer workload?

Sample size.

Also, most SSD failures aren't related to NAND writes. The pundits who have to say stuff like that are specifically talking about NAND write cycles, because of all the FUD surrounding SSDs and NAND back when they first hit the market.

"Past performance," the saying goes, "does not guarantee future results." It's true that they had lower failure rates than their OCZ contemporaries (but, pretty much everything did), and many of them have been solid for many years (notwithstanding the 8MB bug). But they're not likely to be more reliable than the stuff on the market now.

IMHO any device that old is not suitable for primary/main system storage, even in an otherwise used-refurbished or "well it's new to me" system. If you had them on hand, I might say, "well, use 'em or throw 'em out" but I wouldn't be buying one for a new build.

 

[nathanddrews]

I'm at the point now where even my old Q6600 machine has an Evo 850. Sure, it can't use all the bandwidth, but it's still a tremendous performer with great software and support. When (if?) that system dies, I'll just move the SSD to another machine or as a fast external drive. I think I got the 120GB model for $59 on sale, which placed it within the price range of lesser-performing SSDs.

I gave my 80GB X25-M to my dad and it's still going strong as the boot drive of his Q8400 machine.

 

[VirtualLarry]

but I wouldn't be buying one for a new build.

This isn't for a new build, this is for a Sandy Bridge rig, it's comparatively "old" these days, but of a similar era to the SSD in question.

For actual new builds, I agree completely.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

This isn't for a new build, this is for a Sandy Bridge rig, it's comparatively "old" these days, but of a similar era to the SSD in question.

For actual new builds, I agree completely.

Would it help if I'd put the "new" in sarcastiquotes?

The old Intel SSDs were released in 2009. Sandy Bridge is 2011. That's not nothing.

I've seen enough computer failures (and I suspect you have too) to realize that CPUs and motherboards don't fail the same way that SSDs do; they tend to work fine until one day, they stop. By contrast, intermittent and frustrating failures due to a not-quite-ready-to-get-on-the-cart storage device are MADDENING.

And unlike a wonky storage device, a CPU failure will not delete all your family photos, resume, checkbook ledger, etc., beyond any chance of recovery. So IMO the stakes are lower.

Oh, and back up, back up, back up, back up.

 

[VirtualLarry]

OK, OK, point taken. Back to "Plan A" - buy a name-brand current mainstream SSD, WITH WARRANTY.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I feel better.