New SSD a waste of $$?

[RaistlinZ]

^^ It's worth it. Like someone said, your system is only as responsive as it's slowest component. From loading programs, to copying large files, to loading game scenes, to shutdown, my Vertex 2 has thoroughly impressed me.

It's relatively new tech, so there is a price premium which makes it hard for people to justify. But I'm telling you, it's still worth it. I paid $320.00 for my Vertex 2 and they can be had for about $100 less now. It's worth it.

 

[RonniJamesDiode]

For that reason, a low-powered CPU + SSD works much better for the average consumer than a high-performance CPU + HDD.

Totally agree! Latest build is a cheap atom mobo + 3GB ram + 40GB Intel SSD. For basic web/email/office stuff it's just fine. 22 watts idle, leave it on 24/7.

 

[ronbo613]

I've been considering an SSD for some time now. Some of the stuff I do, it will help; Photoshop and Adobe CS4 programs and some of the tasks it will not help, like video encoding.
No way am I going to reinstall all my software, so being able to clone to the new SSD will be a factor, with Win7 64 bit, I'm hoping it won't be much of a problem. Most of my files are already on other hard drives.
I love to buy new computer parts, but I've learned my lesson; if you wait, most of the time the things you want will be cheaper down the road. I'm waiting until the Gen 3 SSDs come out, then probably go for one of the Gen 2 Sandforce SSDs I've had my eye on.

 

[grajasekar]

My roommate had a Lenovo laptop with an Ultrabay and 2 500gb HDDs in it. One of them crapped out and he replaced it with a Kingston 128GB V100, which I think is the most basic of their line. Still, after the update, his system is noticeably faster when loading any program and I think it's a worthwhile upgrade when you're going in to replace some hardware that's conked off, or when you're getting a new system.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one until the prices drop a bit, what with the newer Sandforce controllers right around the corner.

 

[ochadd]

SSD is worth it. If I was looking for one right now it would be a Samsung 470 or C300.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

Personally, I wouldn't buy one until the prices drop a bit, what with the newer Sandforce controllers right around the corner.

This is a valid point, but I do have to point out quick that when we bought 120GB Vertex 2s at work in July they were like $430. Newegg is now selling them for under $200 (AR).

 

[GundamF91]

Price will always come down, or what you buy for the same money will be faster or better, it's an eternal waiting game. The only decision point is when you decide you can't put up with what you have anymore, and then make the upgrade. It's really a function of what you have, and not what is out there (except for very few occasions when generations change, such as now Gen2 moving to Gen3.)

 

[Mfusick]

SSD > 7200rpm any day for speed

 

[extide]

SSDs are the biggest breakthrough in performance consumers have ever had.

This.

Just get it. Especially if your a software dev you will be kicking your own butt thinking why didn't I do this sooner?!

Personally, I wouldn't buy one until the prices drop a bit, what with the newer Sandforce controllers right around the corner.

I paid $320 for a 128GB Falcon (Vertex 1) in May 2009 and it was worth it then. You can get way better drives for for far cheaper now too.

 

[stupidhatmatt]

For a boot system it's definitely worth it. Go with a reliable brand like Intel. For data storage it get's a bit tough to say because you can go through 160-256GB in no time. Besides, you can get an Intel 80GB G2 SSD for under $150 now.

 

[COPOHawk]

I agree...get the SSD.

As for cloning. I have used Ghost 15 to successfully clone from existing HDDs. Both XP and Win 7 systems...with no problems. In fact, running ASSSD benchmark shows speed/rating is where it should be. I mention this because there is some concern out there about alignment issues...but I didn't take any extra precautions and it worked fine.

HTH...

 

[MrCoyote]

Anyone else remember the days of computers with their O/S stored in ROM? (Commodore 64, Amiga, Tandy Color Computer). You could press the power button, and the system was instantly ready. This is basically what we got right now with SSD, except it's writable too. So I can't imagine anyone questioning whether or not a SSD would be worth it.

 

[hal2kilo]

Why? I think the pop from no SSD to a gen2 SSD would me much greater than gen2 SSD to gen3 SSD.

bingo!