Confused SATA II or III? SSD Help!?

[DesignFusion]

Im looking at getting an ssd for my mac pro but im stuck.... heres my dilemma:

I can either get (im looking at OCZ as im in the uk and OWC isnt really an option)

SATA II: http://www.ebuyer.com/225416-ocz-12...-sata-ii-read-285mb-s-write-oczssd2-2vtxe120g

(if SATA II is the answer i could probably stretch to this which is obviously a more desirable size: http://www.ebuyer.com/225417-ocz-24...-sata-ii-read-285mb-s-write-oczssd2-2vtxe240g

SATA III: http://www.ebuyer.com/259774-ocz-12...s-read-550mb-s-write-500mb-s-vtx3-25sat3-120g

Now im in this for the long run so I want to get the most reliable (ie long lifespan). Will a SATA III handle garbage collection better ? seems as this could be beneficial as there is still no native trim support.

 

[derbothaus]

When are you planning on replacing your computer? If not for a long time get the Vertex2 as they are very solid and cheaper. If you want to move SSD to new SATAIII box later on get the 3. Only 3-year warranty though.

Will a SATA III handle garbage collection better ? seems as this could be beneficial as there is still no native trim support.

Both models handle garbage collection just fine without TRIM. Whether SATAII or SATAIII does not have much to do with it. Nor would an observable distinction in use be apparent.

 

[Loa]

Hello,

Can I point you to a thread with nearly the same question: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1212127/

As for the SATA2 or SATA3 question, its answer is implied in the thread: unless you're willing to RAID your SSDs, it won't really make a real-world difference, even if you could get a SATA3 Mac Pro today.

Loa

 

[nanofrog]

Hello,

Can I point you to a thread with nearly the same question: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1212127/

As for the SATA2 or SATA3 question, its answer is implied in the thread: unless you're willing to RAID your SSDs, it won't really make a real-world difference, even if you could get a SATA3 Mac Pro today.

Loa

There are single SSD's that can exceed SATA II for sustained throughputs though, so it can matter for some disks. Take the Intel 510's for example; they can reach ~400MB/s - 500MB/s, which would saturate a SATA II port before their full capabilities were reached.

 

[Loa]

There are single SSD's that can exceed SATA II for sustained throughputs though, so it can matter for some disks. Take the Intel 510's for example; they can reach ~400MB/s - 500MB/s, which would saturate a SATA II port before their full capabilities were reached.

Yes, but if he's planning on using it a boot volume (I'm guessing), will he see real world differences?

Loa

 

[nanofrog]

Yes, but if he's planning on using it a boot volume (I'm guessing), will he see real world differences?

Not all that much for that particular usage with high-end SSD's (random access isn't as different as sustained throughputs - IIRC, some of the SATA III models are worse at random access). There are performance reductions in the more budget minded models however, due to compromises made to lower manufacturing costs.

But if it's for large data files (can utilize the sustained throughputs), then the performance differences will be noticeable.

Though I suspect you're right on the OP's assumed usage, it's not actually stated. So I figured it was worth mentioning.