Question about PCIe SSD (SM951)

[SuperCactus]

I am considering this 128GB PCIe SSD.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM951-128GB-AHCI-MZHPV128HDGM-00000/dp/B00VELD5D8

 

1) What do you think of it? it's $170 but reads at 2000MB/sec! That's almost 4x some other SSD's.

2) How come the SSD's PCIe port is so small? The PCIe 4x slot on my PC is much larger! I don't get it? Why is the PCIe port on the SSD smaller than the slot on my MOBO?

3) Other criticism

4) Other non-criticism

 

Thank you

[Interfectorem]

It does not physically use a PCI-E slot, instead it uses an M.2 slot which uses the PCI-E interface. Make sure your motherboard has an M.2 slot.

[Lolzious]

That is an M.2 SSD.

 

That explains it pretty good. If you really want it though, I'm pretty sure you can buy little adapter cards that plug in to a PCIe slot. That is, unless your motherboard already supports it, in which case, I'd say go ahead!

[wyattzx]

I am considering this 128GB PCIe SSD.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM951-128GB-AHCI-MZHPV128HDGM-00000/dp/B00VELD5D8

 

1) What do you think of it? it's $170 but reads at 2000MB/sec! That's almost 4x some other SSD's.

2) How come the SSD's PCIe port is so small? The PCIe 4x slot on my PC is much larger! I don't get it? Why is the PCIe port on the SSD smaller than the slot on my MOBO?

3) Other criticism

4) Other non-criticism

 

Thank you

1. It's $170 because it's OEM, and because it's only 128GB. Just to put it into perspective, you can get a Samsung 850 EVO 120GB drive for $70. (OEM doesn't mean refurbished, or open-box. Just that it's nothing but the drive and some off-hand packaging. No warranty, and so on.)
2. That's not a standard PCI drive. It doesn't plug in directly into any of your PCI slots. It's an M.2 drive, and not all (or rather most don't) have M.2 support. 
3. Unsure.
4. Unsure.

[Stefan1024]

1) On 128 you can't install all programms and big sequencial performance is mostly usless for the OS. It doesn't have more IOPS than a "normal" SSD. The Intel 750 is ~400$ for 400 GB and has muuuuch more IOPS as well as sequencial performance.

 

2) You may have an M.2 slot with PCI-E. Or you can get a PCI-E adaper card. They cost ~20$.

[Stefan1024]

Adaper for 29$: http://www.amazon.com/Lycom-DT-120-PCIe-Adapter-Support/dp/B00MYCQP38/ref=pd_bxgy_147_text_y

[SuperCactus]

Thank you very much lolzious and Interfectorum. My MOBO does not have a native "M.2" slot. Do you think the adapter slows down the speed much, or is it just passive?

[wyattzx]

Thank you very much lolzious and Interfectorum. My MOBO does not have a native "M.2" slot. Do you think the adapter slows down the speed much, or is it just passive?

The adapters actually work very well, from what I've seen. 

[SuperCactus]

Thank you Stefan1024 and Nonahexa!

 

Do you have any recommendations for other PCIe or M.2 SSD's that are really worth it more than an 850 PRO or Intel 730? I'm looking for the cheapest 128-250GB solution that is faster than or equal to the 850 PRO, preferably under $1 per GB. I currently have a 840 EVO 120GB but I am willing to upgrade, is there anything worth it?

 

I think I can sell my EVO for 40-60$ on ebay and buy something better for $90-150, so I will only pay 30-90$ for the upgrade but I want the speed difference to be noticeable

 

I got the 840 EVO almost 2 years ago so I'm surprised that SSD's haven't improved much

[Stefan1024]

Thank you Stefan1024 and Nonahexa!

 

Do you have any recommendations for other PCIe or M.2 SSD's that are really worth it more than an 850 PRO or Intel 730? I'm looking for the cheapest 128-250GB solution that is faster than or equal to the 850 PRO, preferably under $1 per GB. I currently have a 840 EVO 120GB but I am willing to upgrade, is there anything worth it?

What are you using the SSD for? Large files (like editing a movie) or a lot of smal files (OS, compiling....)?

And a PCI-E SSD is never the cheapest solution^^

[SuperCactus]

I have perfectionist issues actually, the only game that I play is Starcraft 2, maybe maximum 1 hour per day, so really it's not "necessary" but I like to have the best stuff.

 

The only thing it would help is for loading the game and booting the Windows OS, (and Chrome and Excel, GIMP, Word Documents), which is why I stick to the 120 gb.

 

Is Chrome speed even affected at all by SSD speed?

 

Perhaps I should just get a really fast 64GB PCIe SSD? Is that plenty enough for Windows + SC2 + Chrome? I'm researching it.

[Stefan1024]

I have perfectionist issues actually, the only game that I play is Starcraft 2, maybe maximum 1 hour per day, so really it's not "necessary" but I like to have the best stuff.

 

The only thing it would help is for loading the game and booting the Windows OS, (and Chrome and Excel, GIMP, Word Documents), which is why I stick to the 120 gb.

 

Is Chrome speed even affected at all by SSD speed?

 

Perhaps I should just get a really fast 64GB PCIe SSD? Is that plenty enough for Windows + SC2 + Chrome? I'm researching it.

Too smal (< 256 GB) SSDs are normally slower because they have to less Flash ships, so the controller can not use all channels. For your use you need high IOPS rater than sequencial speed. You won't noticable benefit from the PCI-E SSD unless it is using NVM-E protocoll (Intel 750 is the only consumer one you can buy at the moment).

I think you are not enougth a power user to feel a difference.

[karlbolders]

I don't have real world results but it is damn fast. I had the sm951 in an m.2 slot on my Asus rog ranger vii. In there crystal disk mark hit about 770MB/s. Adding a cheap pcie card for 15$ took the sequential read spotted to 1400MB/s. It's held back by the lack of PCIe 3.0 lanes so that's something to check on your board. If you don't do sli or cross fire you'll have spare lanes available.

Booting is another question though. I think you need uefi bios and even then it might not be enough. If it works it's good though, I'm very happy