SSD Purchase...

[stickman.walks]

I am looking to get a new SSD for my Mac Pro. I am not as wide open on choices being located in Japan. So I`d prefer to buy here and not have to do costly mailings for shipping (and god forbid if there is a problem requiring a mailback for repair/replacement).

I have access to Yodobashi and Bic Camera.

I was looking at the Intel X25M 160GB SSD. I know that Intel has their name/reputation behind them, just not sure how this drive fares, as some reviews say it`s great, some say it`s old, etc.

Any brand/model suggestions?

 

[philipma1957]

It is a good drive is it second generation type? I do say look for the series 320 by intel the 3rd generation 160gb or 300gb. I have a 3rd generation intel 300gb and 600gb.


this is the 160gb intel you should get if you can get one in Japan

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Intel-SSDSA...e_Internal&hash=item2310521a1f#ht_2845wt_1250

I am a big fan of intel ssds for mac pros

 

[stickman.walks]

Honestly, I`m not sure which Intel SSD is the most recent or not. Even at the Intel website I see the following SSD`s listed:

510 Series (120GB / 250GB)
320 Series (120GB / 160GB)
310 Series (40GB / 80GB - too small for me)
X25M Series (120 GB / 160GB)

I can add Amazon into the mix, along with Yodobashi and Bic Camera. And any other shop here in Japan.

Just not sure which of these are older, newest, etc.

 

[johnnymg]

Honestly, I`m not sure which Intel SSD is the most recent or not. Even at the Intel website I see the following SSD`s listed:

510 Series (120GB / 250GB)
320 Series (120GB / 160GB)
310 Series (40GB / 80GB - too small for me)
X25M Series (120 GB / 160GB)

I can add Amazon into the mix, along with Yodobashi and Bic Camera. And any other shop here in Japan.

Just not sure which of these are older, newest, etc.

If you can order from Amazon then I would recommend the OCZ vertex 2 and Vertex 3 drives. Caveat: The 3's have just been released so their track record hasn't been established.

FWIW, I have the Vertex 2 in my 2010 MP (~9 months now) and have been VERY pleased with the performance. Auto garbage collection mean the read/write speed of the drive stays very close to the as-installed benchmarks. The Vertex 2 drive 'sleeps' and 'wakes' reliably in my MP.

cheers
JohnG

 

[Einz]

Go with Intel 320 series. Vertex is a pain to upgrade its firmware. I'm still unable to upgrade the FW on my Vertex2. Fortunately, I have no problem with the Vertex2. Intel SSD is easiest to upgrade on an Intel Mac.

 

[philipma1957]

Honestly, I`m not sure which Intel SSD is the most recent or not. Even at the Intel website I see the following SSD`s listed:

510 Series (120GB / 250GB)
320 Series (120GB / 160GB)
310 Series (40GB / 80GB - too small for me)
X25M Series (120 GB / 160GB)

I can add Amazon into the mix, along with Yodobashi and Bic Camera. And any other shop here in Japan.

Just not sure which of these are older, newest, etc.

for a mac pro the series 320 is the correct ssd to buy.
don't over think this. it is very simple. I have used and installed more then 25 ssds. the series 320 is the most up to date ssd and it is the best suited ssd for a mac pro.


It is not that I am only for intel. for the 2011 iMacs or new 2011 macbook pros other ssds may be better vertex 3 or crucial m4's come to mind. The macpro is best suited for the intel series 320 ssd. The speed is good and the reliability is the best of all ssd's. In new iMacs and new macbook pros the vertex 3 the crucial m4 would be quicker and not as reliable. You want one for the mac pro just go get an intel series 320 get the 160gb size if you can afford it.