SSD: Best options for under $100

[MrHood22]

I'm looking at SSD's for my OS drive. I usually keep my PC on all the night because I don't like waiting for it to turn on if I need something quick. But I figure if I shut my PC down about 8 hours a day (Estimated power use: ~600w). At the end of the month I would save about $15 an electricity.

64gb should be fine. That might be a tight fit but I don't know if I want to spend the money for 128gb now.

I'm looking at the Samsung 830 ($60/64gb)
http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-I...F8&qid=1353173966&sr=8-4&keywords=Samsung+SSD

Or maybe the Crucial M4 ($66/64gb)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W2JKWG...e=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B004W2JKWG


But it is pretty tempting to spend the extra $40 and get 128gb.


If I get a SSD will I have to treat it any differently besides what is listed in the OP of this thread?
http://www.overclock.net/t/929553/win-7-ssds-setup-and-secrets


Edit: Typo. Changed $25 to $15.

 

[Impulse]

I think your cost saving estimates might be a little off there...

Anyway, as far as SSD, you should just watch some of the Black Friday sales, there will probably be a 128GB up for sale for under $80 at some point. The 830 has been on sale lately more than half a dozen times because they're making way for the 840, usually for $70 (that's what I got my second one for last week).

128GB will definitely be easier to live with in the long term and will even leave room for a couple of games.

 

[MrHood22]

I think your cost saving estimates might be a little off there...

Anyway, as far as SSD, you should just watch some of the Black Friday sales, there will probably be a 128GB up for sale for under $80 at some point. The 830 has been on sale lately more than half a dozen times because they're making way for the 840, usually for $70 (that's what I got my second one for last week).

128GB will definitely be easier to live with in the long term and will even leave room for a couple of games.

My calculation was:
600w/1000 = .6kw
.6kw * 8 hours a night = 4.8kwh
4.8kwh * .108635 (electricity cost = .521448 cents
.521448 * 30 days = $15.64/month

I didn't follow the release of SSD too closely but I felt like every other day I was hearing about a new model that had massive failure rates or poor performance. Or can I just buy one from a good brand and be alright?

 

[JoeComp]

My calculation was:
600w/1000 = .6kw
.6kw * 8 hours a night = 4.8kwh
4.8kwh * .108635 (electricity cost = .521448 cents
.521448 * 30 days = $15.64/month

Why are you assuming your computer uses 600W?

Most consumer computers should use much less than that at idle. Unless you have an unusual configuration, I would be surprised if it uses more than 200W at idle. An Intel Sandybridge or Ivybridge system can idle at less than 100W.

 

[MrHood22]

Did you just plug in 600W for the SSD power consumption?

No that's my overall computer use. Right now I don't shut my computer down because the HDD takes too boot up. With an SSD I would probably turn it off at night when I sleep (~8 hours) because it should be much quicker to boot.

So basically I'm trying to calculate how much I pay per month to keep my PC on overnight. Still not sure if the math is right though but that's my logic.

 

[JoeComp]

No that's my overall computer use. Right now I don't shut my computer down because the HDD takes too boot up. With an SSD I would probably turn it off at night when I sleep (~8 hours) because it should be much quicker to boot.

I realized what you meant after I posted. I must have edited my post at the same time you were posting (have a look at my edited post now).

 

[MrHood22]

I realized what you meant after I posted. I must have edited my post at the same time you were posting (have a look at my edited post now).

Why are you assuming your computer uses 600W?

Most consumer computers should use much less than that at idle. Unless you have an unusual configuration, I would be surprised if it uses more than 200W at idle. An Intel Sandybridge or Ivybridge system can idle at less than 100W.

Do you want me to get an SSD or not?

A while ago I hooked it up to a killawatt and I think it was doing 480w. I upgraded since then (including bigger GPU) so I tacked on a little bit more. Thinking back I can't remember if I plugged in the computer or the UPS that powers the computer, monitors, etc and then set it up as if I were going to bed (turned monitors off, etc). I'm gonna test it again but it's a pain in the ass to trace back the cables :/

 

[BigJayDogg3]

You don't really have to do anything in that thread. Make sure the bios is set to ahci, do a clean windows install, make sure TRIM is enabled, and defrag is disabled, and you're done.

I'd personally suggest getting a 128 GB SSD. That 64 GB SSD is going to fill up FAST.

 

[Impulse]

Yeah the thread goes a bit overboard, many of the things mentioned are done automatically by Windows, etc. Still there's good suggestions in there, like using Steam Mover, and I didn't see any egregiously wrong tips.

As far as different SSD, there's still duds and compatibility issues with some out there. I'd stick to the popular tried and tested alternatives... Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Plextor M5 series, etc. 64GB is definitely usable (I have an old 40GB Intel in my netbook) but i think it's silly to skimp when 128GB can be had for less than double the cost (or as little as $10-20 more during a sale).

 

[unholythree]

If you really want a 64GB 830 B&H has had pretty good prices lately. Currently around $60 but not long ago I think closer to $50.

So yeah keep an eye out, good SSDs (IMO: Crucial, Samsung, Intel) that small are hard to find at a good $/Gig ratio.

 

[rive22]

Always get more than you need. Especially with SSDs, they perform better when they aren't full.

 

[paret0]

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[Ajiki-kun]

You really should get a 128GB. It's easier on the lifespan of the drive if you don't keep it filled to the hilt; plus, why wouldn't you want at least a few apps/games installed on SSD for quick loading?

Crucial m4 and Samsung 830 are the best choices for under $100, offering neck-and-neck performance, although the Samsungs are slowly being phased out for the newer 840s. I should know, I just bought a 128GB m4 and am waiting on its arrival.

 

[Hagrid]

No that's my overall computer use. Right now I don't shut my computer down because the HDD takes too boot up. With an SSD I would probably turn it off at night when I sleep (~8 hours) because it should be much quicker to boot.

So basically I'm trying to calculate how much I pay per month to keep my PC on overnight. Still not sure if the math is right though but that's my logic.

If you fold on the computer at night so it runs @ 100% then maybe. Makes a good heater though!

 

[omniscence]

No that's my overall computer use. Right now I don't shut my computer down because the HDD takes too boot up. With an SSD I would probably turn it off at night when I sleep (~8 hours) because it should be much quicker to boot.

So basically I'm trying to calculate how much I pay per month to keep my PC on overnight. Still not sure if the math is right though but that's my logic.

Ever heard of suspend to ram? That way the PC is down to <5W instead of 100 and takes like 3 seconds to reactivate.