X220 mSata SSD or 7mm SSD

[dolphin19303]

I want to upgrade SSD for my thinkpad x220. Now I have 2 options:
1. Replace my 320gb hard drive with an 7mm SSD like Intel SSD 320
2. Keep my 320gb hard drive and install an mSata SSD like Intel SSD 310 mSata
I'm so confused , I have some question:
+ Is there any different between two option ?
+ Does mSata on x220 support sata 3? (Because i found some mSata card support read speed up to 500mb/s like this)
Which choice is better for my x220, I love speed and want to improve my x220

[ZaZ]

The mSATA SSDs on ThinkPads are SATA II because the Intel chipset only supports two SATA III connectors. This will change with Haswell, but there's little practical difference between SATA II and III for most uses, unless you copy and past files all day.

Personally, I'd go with the mSATA as it will allow you to keep the platter drive for storage where speed is not as paramount. Good luck and welcome to TPF.

[dr_st]

Personally, I'd go with the mSATA as it will allow you to keep the platter drive for storage where speed is not as paramount.

That's what I would do as well.

[dolphin19303]

The mSATA SSDs on ThinkPads are SATA II because the Intel chipset only supports two SATA III connectors. This will change with Haswell, but there's little practical difference between SATA II and III for most uses, unless you copy and past files all day.

Personally, I'd go with the mSATA as it will allow you to keep the platter drive for storage where speed is not as paramount. Good luck and welcome to TPF.

tks for fast reply , if I choose mSata then card like Micron RealSSD C400 only run at speed 200mb/s right? (Because mSata only support sata 2).
Is thinkpad x220 support Micron RealSSD C400 ? . Because It's so hard to find a mSata in my country

[JPH]

I have tried Samsung PM810, Crucial M4, and Mushkin Atlas so far and yes because of the mSATA SATA II bottleneck, do not expect read or write speeds exceeding 270-280 MB/s. My Atlas writes at maximum 265 and reads at 283 and for my M4, it is respectively 190 and 280 (ATTO benchmarks, queue depth 4). In real-life there is very little to differentiate between any of the newer mSATA SSD's. You will still boot up in less than 20 secs, which beats 7200 rpm drives hands-down anyday.

Is the Micron C400 the same as Crucial M4? If so, then do not hesitate to go for it. Just make sure you have the latest firmware though (currently 04MH I think).

[dolphin19303]

I have tried Samsung PM810, Crucial M4, and Mushkin Atlas so far and yes because of the mSATA SATA II bottleneck, do not expect read or write speeds exceeding 270-280 MB/s. My Atlas writes at maximum 267 and reads at 282 and for my M4, it is respectively 264 and 280 (ATTO benchmarks, queue depth 4). In real-life there is very little to differentiate between any of the newer mSATA SSD's. You will still boot up about in less than 20 secs, which beats 7200 rpm drives hands-down anyday.

Is the Micron C400 the same as Crucial M4? If so, then do not hesitate to go for it. Just make sure you have the latest firmware though (currently 04MH I think).

thanks for userful advices

[Summilux]

I have a 1Tb drive in my Ultrabase and a 128Gb SSD in my X220. I'm planning to add an mSATA to the setup.
I like the idea of leaving the big data securely at home, and to be able to lug my laptop around without having to fear for the hard drive.