What size ssd drive?

[gpspad]

I planing on putting a SSD drive in my mac mini and keeping the stock 1TD inside it just for files. Any suggestions on what size I should get?

Its a 2012 i7 with 16gb of memory. Im running Yosemite; and the plan is to use it as a server for media and time machine backups, maybe some video editing with final cut, and have it run windows now and again for Auto CAD.

Suggestions on what size I should get?

 

[Luap]

Only you know how much storage you need..
So, how much storage do you need?? Find out, and add at least a 3rd to it. Then you know you'll be covered for a good while into the future.
Done.

 

[Apple06]

If it's just the OS and Applications, I think 128GB/256GB will do fine.

If you are also putting user files (like iTunes/Pictures/Videos) there then obviously something 512+GB is recommended based on your whatever size you currently have in terms of data.

 

[P00t]

In my opinion 64GB or 128GB is enough for what you actually need for speed, like OS and Applications make the most use of SSD, no need for speed with Music, Movies and Files.

Obviously if you game on a machine (which I doubt via the Mac Mini with eGPU) you should also install games on an SSD.

That's my opinion anyway.

 

[paulrbeers]

I planing on putting a SSD drive in my mac mini and keeping the stock 1TD inside it just for files. Any suggestions on what size I should get?

Its a 2012 i7 with 16gb of memory. Im running Yosemite; and the plan is to use it as a server for media and time machine backups, maybe some video editing with final cut, and have it run windows now and again for Auto CAD.

Suggestions on what size I should get?

240GB+. Anything less and the manufacturer uses less flash memory chips which means subpar performance. Even some of the newest SSDs don't hit peak performance until you hit the 480GB+ size. Further with SSD costs dropping like flies, there is no reason to go less than 240 (256GB).

 

[mojolicious]

~250GB all the way. Plenty of room for a decent sized Windows partition/image, plus 'work in progress' files. And they're better value than smaller SSDs: generally 150-175% the price of their equivalent ~125GB variants.

Additionally a ~250GB SSD will remain 'usefully repurposable' for a fair few years yet, should the mini be retired or die.

 

[scottsjack]

Watch it though. You have to be prepared for the future. In my case the future involves Hi-Def music from HDTracks and lots of Apple lossless CD rips. My iTunes library is about 300GB. I've also got a pictures in iPhoto for about 60GB.

Because I want my Crucial M500 SSDs to have lots of empty space to work with I got 960GB models. I've read they are about $350 to $420 out there. The newer, improved M550 is around $470 for the 1TB model.

 

[phrehdd]

Just a suggestion for consideration -

Get 240 or better for internal. Media files don't need speed beyond 5400 rpm for easy play and in that, consider an external enclosure for the media files themselves via USB3. Consider the SSD for OS, Apps and perhaps work space.
The alternative might be network storage but DAS should do the trick quite nicely and there are some enclosures that emulate the look of the Mini if that is of concerned (just use spacers if you stack for heat dissipation).

 

[EvilEvil]

I personally would go for a 1TB Samsung Evo right now.