[zybar]

Lots of brands out there, anybody have any favorites or recommendations?

I am thinking that this will be the boot drive in my music server.

Thanks,

George

[Turnandcough]

This is what I'm looking at right now.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/solid-state-drives/pci-express/revodrive/ocz-revodrive-pci-express-ssd-.html

[shawnbaden]

Intel SSDs have always been well reviewed by combining value, performance, and reliability.

Since you didn't list how much you want to spend...  The sweet spot right now is 80GB for right around $200.  Since this will be the boot drive for your music server, 80GB should be more than enough for OS and media-related apps.

Here's the one I'd pick.

Intel X25-M 80GB SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023

[silver_strings]

They are all pretty much going to be better than the regular spinning HD's so you really ant go wrong, that said I think Intel is considered the best ATM, I have a kensington ssdnow 128gb which works great

[ctviggen]

Is it only a music server?  My C: drive has 56GB on it, but I use it for everything.  I have Office installed (bloatware), multiple internet browsers, money software, remote control software, etc., etc.  If it's really just a music server, you could easily go 40GB or less.

[zybar]

Did some research last night and it looks like the latest SSD's that use the SandForce Controller have substantially surpassed the Intel SSD's (and other SSD's using the older technology) in performance.

I need to really look at what is on my C: drives today and determine what needs to stay and what needs to move.  Once I do that, I can determine how big a drive I really need.

George

[LejfK]

Is it only a music server?  My C: drive has 56GB on it, but I use it for everything.  I have Office installed (bloatware), multiple internet browsers, money software, remote control software, etc., etc.  If it's really just a music server, you could easily go 40GB or less.

Haven't tried it yet, but 40 gigs for $99.  http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce

[NekoAudio]

This is a site I always check when shopping around for hard disks: http://www.storagereview.com/. Check the leaderboard for a quick recommendation.

[floresjc]

I would buy the OWC Mercury Extreme. Fastest drives on the market and the speed doesn't go down over time. They also have 30 day money back guarantee.

OWC is primarily a Mac Upgrade site, offering great products and service. But their SSD's are platform agnostic (as are everyone else's) and top of the performance heap, so I wouldn't let their being a Mac outlet phase you.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce

[jermmd]

Here's a nice drive for a good price if you need 120GB and you don't mind rebates. Specs are good.

[pjchappy]

I just installed this Samsung SSD in my new, self-built desktop, which is also my HTPC: Samsung SSD.  Boot up times are insanely quick!

64GB, which is perfect for a boot drive, plus main programs. 

If you are not using Windows 7, make sure you look into how to properly align your SSD.


Paul

[pjchappy]

If I would have done any research before I got my SSD, I would have purchased this one instead:  Crucial RealSSDC300.  SUPER fast. . .(if your PC has a SATA III interface).

 

I'm miffed. . .I did a ton of research on all the components of the PC I built last week.  The SSD I installed this week for the OS was an after thought.

EDIT:  Actually, the one I have has over twice as fast write time and ultra-low power consumption.  The Crucial does have 155 MB/s faster read time, though. 

No matter what SSD you get, you are going to have much faster boot-up and program access times.


Paul

[adydula]

zybar,

Been running (4) SSD's for a year now.

I have (2) of these in RAID 0 as my OS Boot drive: 2 x 30gb = 60 gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393

I have 2 - 120GB SSD's in RAID 0 as my data drive...ie 2 x 120gb = 240 gb.

Running WIN 7 with Intel I7 CPU overclocked at 4.4 GHZ.

Boots to the WIN 7 desktop in 15 sec or so.

This is a game pc with (3) Nvidia GTX 280 video cards in Tri-Sli..

Very stable and very fast...


All the best
Alex

[pjchappy]

zybar,

Been running (4) SSD's for a year now.

I have (2) of these in RAID 0 as my OS Boot drive: 2 x 30gb = 60 gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393

I have 2 - 120GB SSD's in RAID 0 as my data drive...ie 2 x 120gb = 240 gb.

Running WIN 7 with Intel I7 CPU overclocked at 4.4 GHZ.

Boots to the WIN 7 desktop in 15 sec or so.

This is a game pc with (3) Nvidia GTX 280 video cards in Tri-Sli..

Very stable and very fast...


All the best
Alex

4.4 Ghz!   Water or air cooled?  Which i7 model?  I can get my AMD 1055t to about 4.1 on air (HUGE aftermarket heatsink and very quiet fans; haven't tried to OC it any farther).  To play it safe temperature-wise, I keep it at 3.8.  Have my memory OCd to 1.8 and NB to 2.4.  Very fast.  With Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, from the on switch to the log-in screen takes about 12 seconds (estimate. . . I'll have to time it).

Re the SSDs in RAID for the boot drive, I looked into that, too.  Saw many posts where there is no discernable difference b/w RAID 0 and a single SSD (again, for boot drive) and that SSDs in RAID 0 for the boot may cause issues.  Glad it's not a problem for you, but maybe something zybar would want to consider, if he happen to be giving RAID 0 SSDs for the boot drive any thought.

Would love to have SSDs in RAID 0 storage for my data.  However, as much space as I need, that is a very expensive proposition.  Instead, I have 2 WD 640GB Caviar Blacks in RAID 0.  Quiet and fast. . .and enough storage (for now).

I built mine for multiple use.  Have it set-up by my system for HTPC duties (nice and quiet); music recording/mixing (main purpose); and gaming.  Haven't got around to doing my music on this one (just a couple weeks old), but it's been stable and fast.   Has played games great (with settings maxed -- Splinter Cell Conviction; Civ 5) with an OCd ASUS HD 5830. 

To get back on topic, using an SSD for a boot drive is a great thing!



Paul

[adydula]

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping
Intel® X58 / ICH10R
NVIDIA® NF200

ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution motherboard.
Supporte tri-sli in full 32 bit on all video sockets.
 
Air cooled, HAF 932 case with BIG fans.
http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NH-U12P-SE1366-Heat-Pipe-Bearing/dp/B001QFCVE6

Best Case ever: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2810

You can fit a lot of stuff in here, and it wires up very neat.

Had it up to 4.8GHZ, not stable enough.
Play games for hours at 4.4GHZ...

But do not use for music..do all that on a laptop...FLACS to Oppo BD83SE via Asset UpnP DLNA.

The RAID 0 for boot vs non raid is about the same.
Only reason to RAID was wanting to have a boot drive at least 60gb for win 7 and some games.

Some servers now are coming with SSD boot drives.

Alex

[pjchappy]

I was looking into that case.  However, my focus was on everything being super quiet. . .so, I got this one: Cosmos.  I'm sure not as much air flow as yours, but it has plenty. . .and it is quiet.

To officially stop hijacking this thread, here are the details on the rest of my build: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=85467.0


Paul