Intel SSD's

[Ratfink]

Any thoughts on the Intel 180GB 330 SSD vs Intel 120GB 520 SSD?

 

The 330 has more gigs, yet slightly slower bandwidths and seems to have lower life expectancy (3 yr warranty vs 5 yr for 520). Would the 120GB 520 be a better value drive overall?

 

There's also a 240GB 520 but it's way expensive (though quiet decent), and a 240GB 335 but I was a bit put off by the review I read at http://www.anandtech.com/show/6388/intel-ssd-335-240gb-review/2

 

Was that just bad luck? Intel give 1,200,000hrs MTBF for the 335 (3 yr warranty).

 

Overall I've read some good reviews for the Intel range, they seem to be decent products - good allrounders. Apart the v pricey 520's :)

[EtherealN]

Remember that MTBF is "mean time between failure". There will always be outliers.

 

That said, I don't have personal experience with the Intel SSDs, but a friend uses them. But if you are looking for SSDs, I'd say it's better to give a price range you're willing to accept and then we can look at multiple offerings.

 

From what I recall, the Intel 320 used quite sturdy chips, but I don't know what the status is on 330's. Could dig a bit.

[Kenta]

I'm using the exact model you're mentioning.

Intel 330 180GB, so far it's working great and the performance is awesome for the price.

Don't know why anyone wouldn't want one.

The only thing that bothers me is the size. 180GB really isn't that much. If I'd go for a SSD now, I'd definitely buy 250GB

 

I'd suggest this SSD atm: Samsung SSD 840 series 250GB. Quite a bang for the buck.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Kenta

[Rubberduck]

Ratfink, I went for the 240gb, very happy with it.

 

bear in mind with win 7 and dcs, and not much else I am up to 157gb already :)

 

Oh and from cold boot to working windows is around 12 seconds :)

 

Dcs takes about 30 to get to mission ready, ie sitting in pit ready to start, not had a single stutter at all :)

Edited January 16, 2013 by Rubberduck
spelling

[Ratfink]

Thanks guys, so 240GB is perhaps the size to go for. On reflection the 240GB 520 are maybe not as expensive as my initial shock reaction let me believe! Just looked again at pricing the price jump from 180GB 330 to 240GB 520 is about £50. The 240GB 335 to 240GB 520 about £30. Over the life of the rig, that's peanuts right? :) And 5 yr warranty!

[Ratfink]

Remember that MTBF is "mean time between failure". There will always be outliers.

 

That said, I don't have personal experience with the Intel SSDs, but a friend uses them. But if you are looking for SSDs, I'd say it's better to give a price range you're willing to accept and then we can look at multiple offerings.

 

From what I recall, the Intel 320 used quite sturdy chips, but I don't know what the status is on 330's. Could dig a bit.

 

Yeh, maybe the one in the review was just the bad apple. I do appreciate that M = mean so there'll be some dud and some exceptional ones!

[Rhinox]

I'd suggest this SSD atm: Samsung SSD 840 series 250GB. Quite a bang for the buck.

Switched to this 840/Pro from Intel, and agree. This one is real beast! Very high R/W, and IOPS is double so high as 330/520/710. 840/Pro comes with zero over-provisioning (256GB is really 256GB), and let user decide (at any time, even with system installed) how much does he wants to have. BTW, 830/840/pro series is the only one where all basic components come from one house: nand-chips, ddr-chips (cache) and controller, all is samsung-made...

[Napa]

I'm using the 240GB 520 series. Its expensive but well worth the cash. Check Corsair SSDs too. They are pretty good as well.

[Wolf Rider]

Running with 2 Intel 520 series 180Gb SSD's (1 for the system and the other for DCS, etc)... these things just purr :thumbup: