Need SSD recommendations please...

[Chaka of the Pakuni]

Building a new system. Been using my current rig for the last 6.5 years (E6700, 680i mobo), so it's time to upgrade.

I ordered most of the parts last night from Newegg (still deciding on which case to get);

---------------------------------------------------------------

1 x ($219.99) Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
$219.99

1 x ($214.99) EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2662-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$214.99

1 x ($134.99) ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$134.99

1 x ($119.99) CORSAIR HX series HX650 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$119.99

1 x ($62.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
$62.99

1 x ($59.99) NVIDIA Coupon Metro: Last Light
$59.99

1 x ($-20.00) DISCOUNT FOR PROMOTION CODE
$-20.00

1 x ($-59.99) DISCOUNT FOR AUTOADD #80349
$-59.99

1 x ($-60.00) DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #1270848 (this is for the mobo and CPU, they were on sale as a combo)
$-60.00

Subtotal:
$672.95

Tax:
$60.57

Shipping and Handling:
$16.29

Total Amount:
$749.81

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I'd like to get an SSD this time around (something in the 250GB range) but know nothing about them. Currently use a 300 gig Raptor for OS and progs, with a couple of 750 gig drives for storage. I'll reuse the two 750s, my DVD drives and sound card, but other than that I want to keep my old system complete to have as a back-up.

So, any recommendations for an SSD?

Also, now that I think about it, should I use the stock cooler for the CPU or get an aftermarket?

Thanks.

[Zork Nemesis]

The computer I put together about a month ago uses this one:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/sandisk-256 ... 01577.html

A little pricy, but it's been working out for me so far.

[Masakari]

I bought a Samsung 830 256GB, and love it. When I did my research, found Samsungs to be the most reliable (Though not as fast as OCZ and others). Frankly though, reliability > speed for me. It's still really fast, trust me.

[DDYzErO]

I bought a Samsung 830 256GB, and love it. When I did my research, found Samsungs to be the most reliable (Though not as fast as OCZ and others). Frankly though, reliability > speed for me. It's still really fast, trust me.

Agreed here. I got 2 of the 840's and knock on wood no problems yet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820147193

[Flash]

Another Samsung vote. I'm using the 840 Pro that Zero linked to above. (There is a big difference between the 840 and 840 Pro so watch that detail.)

[Chaka of the Pakuni]

Another Samsung vote. I'm using the 840 Pro that Zero linked to above. (There is a big difference between the 840 and 840 Pro so watch that detail.)

Does it fit in a normal drive bay? They look small...

[Masakari]

Just check and see if it comes with an adapter. If not, they're fairly cheap to add on.

[Soltan]

Some cases have space behind the MOBO tray for mounting an SSD.

[gator]

Another Samsung vote. I'm using the 840 Pro that Zero linked to above. (There is a big difference between the 840 and 840 Pro so watch that detail.)

Does it fit in a normal drive bay? They look small...

You'll need a 2.5" to 3.5" mounting kit (one will hold 2 SSDs IIRC); it probably will come included in a retail kit, for an OEM SSD only you'll have to buy one separately but they're relatively cheap.

Or what Soltan said for newer cases (I don't follow cases that much )

[Chaka of the Pakuni]

Looks like the 840 Pro doesn't come with a bracket. I'm thinking about the Antec 900 case. It appears to have a place to screw in a 2.5" drive.

Also, when you install an OS on an SSD drive do you still need to format it?

[Boss Llama]

The upper end of the Intel SSD line have always received good press, and I'm pleased with mine that I have installed for Steam. Reliability definitely trumps speed in my mind (I've lost way too many HDDs in the past), but the speed will be a significant upgrade even with the slightly slower ones.

[Flash]

Also, when you install an OS on an SSD drive do you still need to format it?

Yes, you'll treat it like any other hard drive when installing an OS.

[Checkm8]

I have two kingston HyperX(s) set up as a RAID 0 configuration and I love them. I also have a smasung 840 pro series in the laptop and love it. I'd say go samsung though because it's a better brand. FYI, the kingstons came with an adapter but the same sung does not. Bays are cheap.

[Clay Pigeon]

The newest samsungs are supposedly pretty good.

The antec p280 has mounting points for 2.5 inch drives. It's the same price as the 900 right now on newegg, but should be quieter.

see: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1775/5/

[Chaka of the Pakuni]

So I ordered the Samsung 840 Pro yesterday afternoon. It went on sale this morning. But since it already shipped I'm stuck with the non-sale price. The video card I ordered went on sale too.

Could have saved $50 bucks. What a crock...