Keep Vertex 2 or get a new SSD?

[Denis54]

I use my computer 3 - 4 hours a day to surf the web, read emails and do some light Word and Excel work. I want to give my present computer to my daughter and get a new one.

I realize that I do not need a very powerful computer but I want one nevertheless. I plan to get a Core i5-3570K and an ASUS P8Z77 LE board. I want to get the i5 because it will allow me to use 3 monitors without a discrete graphics card and it is fast

Should I use my present 60 GB Vertex 2 or should I get a new drive such as a Crucial M4? Would I see a the difference in speed with a new drive? I do not need more than 60 GB but I might get a 120 GB if there is not much difference in price. I also have a separate 1 TB WD Caviar Black to store unimportant stuff.

I want also a reliable machine. I am no expert but I have read several recent posts where the OCZs get pretty unfavorable comments regarding reliability. Is the Vertex 2 a reliable drive?

I do not want to spend foolishly but I have a flexible budget. I will probably keep this computer for at least the next 5 years so I do not mind to spend a bit more money to get a fast AND reliable one.

 

[Forceman]

You won't really see any difference in speed, but personally I'd stay away from OCZ. The newer drives are supposed to be better on the reliability side, but they've had enough trouble in the past that I wouldn't mess with them. There are enough other manufacturers making good, competitively priced SSDs that I wouldn't take a chance on OCZ.

 

[mwroobel]

Unless you are on a VERY tight budget, get a 120GB (or larger) drive over a 60. Due to one of the ways SSD's gain their speed (striping data across the NAND die) the 60's usually have 1/2 the number of die and can therefore be significantly slower than a larger drive like a 120 (dependent on model of course). Personally, I will recommend against OCZ as a company regardless of model. I prefer Samsung and Intel but you will usually hear Samsung, Intel & Crucial (and recently Plextor) as most peoples favorite.