Best usage for SSDs

[IAmAndre]

Hi,

 

I'm building a PC and as I have a very limited budget, I can't afford to buy a HDD and a SSD at the same time. People in this situation usually buy a SSD to install their OS and a few programs, then buy the HDD just for storage. Should I be called a fool for doing the opposite? I want to buy an hybrid drive (SSHD) now to install my OS an all I need, then buy a SSD just to move the programs I use the most to (like Eclipse, Visual Studio or Sony Vegas). Since SSDs are meant to be read, and not be written to too often, and SSHDs often show comparable performances (when booting and launching programs) can this be a good solution, at least for the longevity of the system?

 

Thanks

[DudeWazap]

Yeah it seems like a good idea to me if you won't be buying your SSD for a while.

[IdeaStormer]

I would steer clear of SSHD's, but that is based on the older generation of SSHD's (they sucked balls), going to take some solid data on them before I fork any cash on them again. Stick with HDD's for now then.

[WoodenMarker]

Modern ssds will likely last longer than you need them to. Don't worry about writing to it as a problem unless you're writing several hundred gigs a day. http://us.hardware.info/reviews/4178/10/hardwareinfo-tests-lifespan-of-samsung-ssd-840-250gb-tlc-ssd-updated-with-final-conclusion-final-update-20-6-2013

[IdeaStormer]

Modern ssds will likely last longer than you need them to. Don't worry about writing to it as a problem unless you're writing several hundred gigs a day. http://us.hardware.info/reviews/4178/10/hardwareinfo-tests-lifespan-of-samsung-ssd-840-250gb-tlc-ssd-updated-with-final-conclusion-final-update-20-6-2013

 

So you've used the newer SSHD's?

[WoodenMarker]

So you've used the newer SSHD's?

Yeah, they're pretty much somewhere between ssd's and hdd's--quite snappy for lighter programs.

[Ahnzh]

I would steer clear of SSHD's, but that is based on the older generation of SSHD's (they sucked balls), going to take some solid data on them before I fork any cash on them again. Stick with HDD's for now then.

 

This.

 

 

It's just a personal preference... call me conservative, I like to have control over my system and where what is saved... I feel like i don't have full control over SSHDs

[IAmAndre]

Modern ssds will likely last longer than you need them to. Don't worry about writing to it as a problem unless you're writing several hundred gigs a day. http://us.hardware.info/reviews/4178/10/hardwareinfo-tests-lifespan-of-samsung-ssd-840-250gb-tlc-ssd-updated-with-final-conclusion-final-update-20-6-2013

 

I'm very surprised by the results of these tests, and that basically means that the bigger the SSD is, the longer it will last. In this case I think that the best solution is to buy a SSHD then save money to buy a big SSD. I have another question though (not sure if I should create another topic for that) : I currently have an old SSD on my laptop (a Samsung RBX) with Windows installed and I want to know if I will lose performance if I clone it over the SSHD. I've read somewhere that cloning a HDD to a SSD without an appropriate software (usually provided by the SSD manufacturer) would result in a loss of performance so is it true on the other way around?

Also, will I have to buy a new Windows activation key?

Thanks

[tbc]

ssd longevity is NEVER a factor anymore.  i'm going to bet that you're not building a server rack, nor are you making a double digit cpu count rendering farm.

 

never spend more money for 'longer lasting NAND'.  it'a a marketing gimmick such as 'gaming grade'

[IAmAndre]

ssd longevity is NEVER a factor anymore.  i'm going to bet that you're not building a server rack, nor are you making a double digit cpu count rendering farm.

 

never spend more money for 'longer lasting NAND'.  it'a a marketing gimmick such as 'gaming grade'

Actually buying a SSD + a HDD is much more expensive. Using a SSHD is about half of the price and it would allow me to buy a SSD later, after I save enough money.

Any idea on the SSD to HDD cloning ?

[Ahnzh]

well, if you REALLY want to have an SSD'ish performance, get an HDD and a SandForce chip driven USB stick... since it's not entirely about transfer speeds in that regard but about access latency these will serve you just fine - Mushkin Ventura ultra or Kingston Data Traveler Workspace (which is windows2go certified). I ran some tests on the Kingston, got around 9k IOPS@4kUncompressedPorn, 55MB/s write, 200MB/s read. Perfect for a boot device or your most important apps. Always have in mind that the SSHD integrated SSD is around 8 GB large. 80$ for the stick is okay. 55$ for a WD blue and you're ready to go with a better solution (in my opinion)

[WoodenMarker]

I'm very surprised by the results of these tests, and that basically means that the bigger the SSD is, the longer it will last. In this case I think that the best solution is to buy a SSHD then save money to buy a big SSD. I have another question though (not sure if I should create another topic for that) : I currently have an old SSD on my laptop (a Samsung RBX) with Windows installed and I want to know if I will lose performance if I clone it over the SSHD. I've read somewhere that cloning a HDD to a SSD without an appropriate software (usually provided by the SSD manufacturer) would result in a loss of performance so is it true on the other way around?

Also, will I have to buy a new Windows activation key?

Thanks

Not sure but probably. It's unlikely a sshd would be faster than a ssd. 

If you use the drive with the same motherboard, you shouldn't need to reactivate it. 

Actually buying a SSD + a HDD is much more expensive. Using a SSHD is about half of the price and it would allow me to buy a SSD later, after I save enough money.

Any idea on the SSD to HDD cloning ?

Depends on where you're shopping, current pricing, and picking the right drives that aren't overpriced. A 120GB ssd + 1TB hdd usually costs 120 USD. A 1TB sshd is around $80-90 USD--not exactly twice as expensive.