SSD needed, Cheap, not nasty Options

[jdm_com_au]

I just need a basic SSD for dual booting Win 7 and Ubuntu Studio. Just for web surfing and some basic open office tasks, not games. I spotted a Patriot Torqx2 128M Buffer Cache 32G SSD from MSY for $60. Just after advice if it will do the job as well as a conventional platter drive, or if it's a POS. Or if there's something much cheaper out there.

Will 32G be enough to dual boot those two O/S?

[Dasa]

im running vista as a office pc on a 30g ssd for our atom office pc its fairly much full and windows 7 is bigger so i think you will struggle to dual boot unless you do a lite install of it
this may help with that im not sure the last time i did a lite install was win xp http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/137765-win...64-bit-updated/

for a little bit more you can get bigger but slower ssd although for a office pc the read\write speed isnt as important as the seek times vs a normal hdd which these are still good at
OCZ Vertex Plus 60GB SSD $75
OCZ Petrol 64GB SSD $79

[osama_bin_athlon]

you really need a 120G SSD to boot both - a 60G SSD won't house both
using the SSD to house only part of the OS sounds like a lot of hassle - just the boot files seems rather pointless
you're better off with an SSD as a boot drive, housing all the OS, than using Intel's caching stuff
you see bargains all the time - Mwave for instance have had 120G SSd Sata 3 for well under $200 - closer to $150
just my two cents worth.......

[Ezkaton]

I'm looking at buying an SSD with a new full size case (current gets too hot with crossfire) Friday night.
SSD if I can afford to, if not it'll be next pay.

Currently got my eye on these four SSD, but I'm not sure which is worth my time and money.
Keeping in mind I am currently only running a SATA 2 board.

Intel 520 series, 120gb - $195
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_p...oducts_id=19276

Samsung 830 series, 128gb - $229
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_p...oducts_id=19688

OCZ Vertex 3, 128gb - $189
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_p...oducts_id=17031

OCZ Vertex 4, 128gb - $209
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_p...oducts_id=19985

I don't really know much/anything about SSD, as I've never needed to until now... when prices have become somewhat reasonable.
The drive will be used as my boot drive, and for BF3 (and any future online MP game I get in to).
Just in case those are partly deciding factors.

Can anybody with more knowledge help me out? :)

[bushi]

I'm getting the Intel one.

[mudg3]

Intel for the samsung. I wouldnt buy a OCZ one again.

[Ezkaton]

I've heard good things about the Intel, but I've also read good things about the new Vertex 4.
Superior controller or something?

I've also read OCZ have a pretty high failure rate though, is that correct?
What issues have you had, mudg3?

[fajw]

I've been using an OCZ Vertex 3 SSD for many months and haven't had any problems.

I think I read that the Vertex 4 uses a controller whose company OCZ bought so they have complete control now.

[jdm_com_au]

...I think you will struggle to dual boot unless you do a lite install...
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/137765-win...64-bit-updated/

Thanks for the link about the lite install, it looks like a great idea for most (if not all) of my Win 7 installs. The download links in the OP are broken, but I found this one.

http://www.rt7lite.com/downloads.html

The only problem I would have is that it suggests I use Virtual PC, which will take me forever to download via my smoke signal speed wireless broadband. I'll assume I could use any VM software to test it? ideally I'd get one that's simple to use and only requires a small download.

[pwarren]

I got a Patriot Pyro 60GB for $90, goes bloody fast! Uses the sandforce controller, and apparently struggles (by 50MB/s or so) with writing already compressed data.

Then I followed this guys advice for making sure windows works well with it:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-w...e-for-ssds-hdds

in the end, I had 28GB free space. Which I filled with games :)

This post has been edited by pwarren: Apr 13 2012, 01:59 PM

[Ezkaton]

I ordered an Intel 520 series 120gb this afternoon.
Should have it Tuesday. :)

Can't wait to be blown away; I've never used an SSD.
The fastest drive I've used is like a single WD Black. :p