So after all the gen I have just read on SSD's, can I conclude that the Intel X25-M ("G2" with trim) is the best SSD available for my next build? Raid is not in my plan, only the best SSD available for my OS and applications coupled with other good HDD's for storage etc.
What say you?
X-25M
Any Sandforce 1200 SSD (OCZ Vertex 2, Corsair Force, GSkill Phoenix Pro, others as well)
Crucial C300 (only the 256Gb version)
Any of these will do fine, and are all fast. In a blind test, you won't be able to tell the difference between any of them. I think the overall average speed would be C300(256gb) > Sandforce=C300(128gb) > X-25M.
The Sandforce 1200 is the controller chip, and multiple companies have drives out, and they are all basically the same +/- 1-2%. OCZ Vertex 2 has a slightly better firmware, but still not that big a deal.
Crucial C300 is 6gb SATA, but you need either a controller card or mobo that supports 6gb. It will run fine in 3gb SATA mode of course. The 256 Gb model is the best, and a bit faster then the sandforce drives. The 64 is slower, and the 128 is about equal to sandforce, which is why I mentioned that only the 256gb is worth getting (IMHO).
For a 120gig-ish drive, go sandforce.
If you use XP still, XP doesn't support TRIM, so definitely drop the C300 option. And make sure you align the HD sectors when you format (again, if you use XP; if you use Win7, it will do that automatically)