SSD of choice for a 2009 iMac

[djtofu]

So, after lots of consideration I've decided to relocate my superdrive as an external and replace it with a 240-256gb SSD. The questions I have are:

1- I know SSD with a SandForce controller would be my best bet, but if so which brands would you recommend in terms of price/reliability?
2- Are there issues with installing the OS onto the SSD? I've read online with some users using their 10.6.3 install disks, it would not read/find the SSD.

Thanks.

Alan

 

[Hellhammer]

1. They are all more or less the same drives with different logo on them. This is currently the cheapest

 

[finnschi]

Ive tested a couple and the best are the following 2

1. OCZ Vertex 2 128Gb $200 285mbit read 280mbit write (SandForce)

2. Real SSD 300? 128Gb $250 320mbit read 170mb Write (marvel)


if you need high write speeds choose the OCZ , if you need high read speeds choose the Real SSD ... thats about it

 

[Hellhammer]

Ive tested a couple and the best are the following 2

1. OCZ Vertex 2 128Gb $200 285mbit read 280mbit write (SandForce)

2. Real SSD 300? 128Gb $250 320mbit read 170mb Write (marvel)


if you need high write speeds choose the OCZ , if you need high read speeds choose the Real SSD ... thats about it

That's if you have SATA 6Gb/s. iMacs don't. With SATA 3Gb/s, the read performance is very similar

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3681/oczs-vertex-2-special-sauce-sf1200-reviewed/5

 

[djtofu]

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Thanks for all your input. Now is 120gb enough for installing the OS and applications? And should I install my VMs onto the SSD or secondary drive?

 

[Hellhammer]

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Thanks for all your input. Now is 120gb enough for installing the OS and applications? And should I install my VMs onto the SSD or secondary drive?

Depends how much apps do you have. You can find out the size of you app folder by right-clicking Applications folder and selecting Show Info. Most likely the 120GB will be more than fine. You can install VMs to the SSD as long as there is enough space