Intel 320 vs 510 series

OK, I'm a bit on the fence here deciding between these drives. It'll be used in either an X58 or Sandybridge system once I get my Corsair 650T case.

The intel 320 is a little slower with SATA 2 and much slower when compared to a SATA 3 system. The nand is 25nm vs 34 nm on the 510. However, the IOPS are higher on the 320 vs the 510 series. The 320's are a bit cheaper than the 510. I toyed with the ideal of getting a Micron M4 but I feel more comfortable with Intel. This computer will be used for light gaming, video encoding, dvd burning, internet, etc. My gut tells me all I really need it the 320, but my "e-penis" wants the 510. For those of you who have bought either one of the referenced drives, which one did you decide on and how do you like it?


Thanks!

I'd go with the 320. It is basically an improved version of the X25-M, with features to improve reliability (power loss protection, XOR parity data protection). The 510 is a new design, with a Marvell controller, and it lacks the reliability features of the 320.

I would also go with the 320. It has faster random reads and random writes than the 510. IMHO, this is more important than sequential reads for an OS drive,

320 is the only one with a real intel controller.

I'd say the 320, intel's own controller seems to be alot more reliable than other ssds.

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like 320 is the one for me. I've been burned by "the latest and greatest" too many times. Much rather have reliability over speed!

So as I understand it, the Intel 510 and the Crucial m4 are pretty similar, minus the issue of 34nm vs 25nm?

Where will performance be noticeable on a 510 vs. 320 when SATA 3 is involved? I understand that real world loading of OS and apps won't be too obvious

The difference between SATA2 and SATA3 is only noticable on sequential access, which is an unusual access pattern for an OS/application drive.

omniscence said:

The difference between SATA2 and SATA3 is only noticable on sequential access, which is an unusual access pattern for an OS/application drive.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for

I was debating between these SSDs for my new notebook as a boot/application/games drive, and it supports SATA 3, but it doesn't appear that paying the premium may be worth it

I have a 510 in my MBP and love it so far and another 510 in my win7 desktop for storage / mysql... going great the couple weeks i've had them Can't really tell the difference between the the 510 and my G2 in real-world usage.