Inexpensive Samsung 128GB SSD available on eBay

[skygodtj]

Looking for an inexpensive entry into SSDs for my T40 Frankenpads & T60 I came across these (MMCRE28GTMXP K326R).. I bought several of them with the idea of doing the SSD mod found in the T40 Forum, and also use them for other friends laptops upgrades.. the seller dropped his price from $75 to $59, making them more attractive for modders looking to bump their performance numbers. Now, they aren't nearly as speedy as the 830's but still double the perf of traditional 4200/5400rpm drives and almost double the perf of 7200rpm drives.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-128GB-1 ... 0611012130

You would need the 1.8" to 2.5" adapter frame for the T6x SATA versions, from ny-compu-tek (one of this forum's members)... ebay, abt $4:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-SATA-1-8- ... 19d8d3909a

... and the micro-SATA to IDE/PATA adapters for the T4x platforms.. from this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 35#p637235, scroll down to the picture of the white plastic IDE frame for the PATA adapter. I ordered three of these frames last night. Apparently, they are custom cut from the time of order, nothing's premade. It'd be terrific if one of the guys that normally sell parts here would have.. 100 or so made up.. With many of the SSDs coming down in price, making a bunch for T2x, T3x, T4x owners to swap for their "spinners" would save the mfgr time to have them cut from the plastic stock..

I only wanted to bring up that these 128GB SSDs are dropping in price for those that want to go the SSD route for cheap, 'wasn't intending to reprint another SSD how-to thread.. that's all..

Just keep looking on eBay, 'cause I just found a 256GB '830 for $130. Sah-weeeet!

As always, if this belongs in another Topic (or just doesn't belong anywhere here), Mods can move it.

TJ

[RealBlackStuff]

Those adapters from ny-compu-tek on eBay are 1.8" SATA to 2.5" SATA.
They would NOT fit/work in a T40/T41/T42/T43 machine, only in T60 and newer machines!
T4x machines need 1.8" SATA to 2.5" PATA adapters.

[Pete B]

The picture in that ebay ad shows the drive as having firmware version VBM94D1Q which I do not think supports TRIM. It looks like it can be flash updated to newer firmware that does, see the last post on page 14 by ROWAN SA:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-fo ... 29813.aspx

Looks like a good deal if the picture is correct and it can be re-flashed.
I suppose this is not an issue for people still running XP where TRIM is not supported.

[skygodtj]

RBS, I never wrote "the SATA would go into a T4x.." I only put ny-tek's name on the wrong side of the link.. that's fixed now.

Pete, yes, thanks, the f/w label says VBM9MD1Q, and there is a update to have it support TRIM, I posted it just below. There's also confirmation from a Dell Forum (it's a Dell drive). I haven't flashed mine yet (as of Wed morning), but it's in a "testing phase" in this T60. I'll do the update, then it's going into my wifes T400 when it arrives later today. I ran CDM already on it and it's kinda dismal numbers, but still lots better than my 7200 rpm 320gb drive. I'm hoping the 256gb 830 drive I found for $130 will be much better.

[Olwe]

I'm confused. So what exactly do I need to do to put this "Samsung 128GB 1.8" Thin MLC uSATA SSD Solid State Hard Drive MMCRE28GTMXP K326R" on my T61?

[EOMtp]

I'm confused. So what exactly do I need to do to put this "Samsung 128GB 1.8" ... on my T61?

Only this:

[skygodtj]

^^ Yep, that's the frame for T6x and up SATA drives.. ^^

here's the thread for Tycho's 1.8" - > 2.5" bridge info:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=99771

and firmware link from a PM I got:
"I am using a older firmware, because I do not want to lose disk contents. But you might like to add a head's-up mention of updated firmware."
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/ ... Id=R276534

Link to Dell Forum asking about this firmware update for the
FDE Thin uSATA 128GB, K326R, MMCRE28GTMXP-MVBD7. The chart at the bottom of the pages shows a table for applicable drives, this MMCRE28GTDXP - MVBD7 is near the bottom of the list, but it's a confirmation it supports TRIM once updated:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-fo ... 29813.aspx

If you're using XP then it's not a problem, but if Vista (uh huh), 7 or 8 is in use, it'd def. help..

[Olwe]

^^ Yep, that's the frame for T6x and up SATA drives.. ^^

here's the thread for Tycho's 1.8" - > 2.5" bridge info:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=99771

and firmware link from a PM I got:
. . .

Okay, if I'm going to clean install on a T61 Ubuntu 13.10 on the drive and frame mentioned in the first post, does any of the above pertain to me?

[EOMtp]

Okay, if I'm going to clean install on a T61 Ubuntu 13.10 on the drive and frame mentioned in the first post, does any of the above pertain to me?

No.

[Pete B]

skygodtj: A T60 is a rather old system to worry too much about performance number since I don't believe it supports AHCI. On the other hand the basic throughput numbers do not tell everything since one of the most important points is that a good SSD has near zero rotational latency and seek time. Obviously, there are no moving parts so these map to electrical access time which is microscopic compared to mechanical times. Some SSDs, probably with poor firmware design do actually have fairly slow access times but these are usually older drives. Bottom line is that even with only decent raw throughput numbers and no AHCI the drives still feel very fast even on an old system like a T60 or equivalent.

I've read that AHCI is required for TRIM support, not sure if this is true but I don't see a good reason for it other than a deliberate software/driver lockout.

I believe that the T61 should support AHCI, SATA II, and therefore TRIM at least with the Middleton BIOS, perhaps also with the standard BIOS.

[skygodtj]

Thanks Pete. The T60 does run AHCI.. SATA II also, just not III. And at $59 (now) these are way cheaper than thumb drives this size. Another benefit of SSD are lower electrical draws, saving battery life. This SSD, tho not TRIM native, is fw flashable to use it.

[Pete B]

Thanks Pete. The T60 does run AHCI.. SATA II also, just not III.

I don't own a T60 but I have other laptops with the same chip set. Does AHCI require a modded BIOS or some other trick or was it a factory option in the BIOS for the T60?

[RealBlackStuff]

T60 runs AHCI standard, under any BIOS, but its SATA speed is only SATA I.
Only the T61/R61/X61 with Middleton BIOS will improve to SATA II.

[rkawakami]

And at $59 (now) these are way cheaper than thumb drives this size.

Ah, as of right now (May 1 @ 1745 PDT), the eBay BIN price is two cents under $70. Earlier today it was $60 and before that it bounces all over the place: low of $54.73 on April Fools day and as high as $80. Note: quoted prices from eBay's history do NOT include any shipping charge that may have been in effect.

[pianowizard]

And at $59 (now) these are way cheaper than thumb drives this size.

128GB thumb drives have dropped below $59 several times in recent weeks. I got mine from Rakuten.com for $36. I saw an even better deal just last week or so.

[skygodtj]

Yeah saw the price went back up.. Shuddea bought a bunch at the $59 price!!

[danny1991]

I'm getting this for a T61. Do I have to flash it the the Middleton BIOS or anything? I don't know if I'll be using Linux or W7.

[RealBlackStuff]

ANY T61, R61 or X61 should get the Middleton BIOS.

[ajkula66]

ANY T61, R61 or X61 should get the Middleton BIOS.

Amen.

On a whole another note: what is so special about this particular SSD? What am I missing?

[aoitenshi]

On a whole another note: what is so special about this particular SSD? What am I missing?

the low price that made the SSD so special
too bad I can't buy those ssd because of my location ...

[skygodtj]

Yep, I'd bookmark that seller and keep an eye on his stuff.. $59 for a 128GB SSD is a smokin' price! Even $64 is a great price.. Nearly every other Samsung 128GB SSD listed now is $80+ so this guys bare boards, and ny-compu-tek's frame ($4) still makes it a terrific deal.

[ajkula66]

I must be completely out of touch....

[Pete B]

Maybe I'm not following you George.
I've read about many problems with SSDs from various manufacturers and the Samsungs on the other hand have been getting excellent reviews. Last time I was looking for an inexpensive SSD, it had to have TRIM, have good reliability, and should have a diagnostic/maintenance tool. I've been looking at the PM830 and 840 but I don't really need the speed of these SSDs so this one might suit my needs just fine at about half the cost. It is a bit of a pain to flash it but I think worth the effort especially if you do more than one of these SSDs.
I'm not sure if Samsung's SSD magician software is compatible with these Dell OEM drives - has anyone looked into it?

I ordered one of these and while the invoice matches the ad - I got what I think is a newer version:
MMCRE28GTDXP - MVBD7
FDE
1009
REV 0
2010.02.24
F/W VBM9LD1Q

I read somewhere that Samsung drives manufactured in 2010 all support TRIM, not sure if this is true.

[ajkula66]

Maybe I'm not following you George.

If I'm not mistaken, these Samsungs are close cousins of the ones that shipped in X30* series ThinkPads and I honestly wasn't impressed by them in the least. Frankly, I'm not a fan of pre-830 Samsungs whatsoever.

I've read about many problems with SSDs from various manufacturers and the Samsungs on the other hand have been getting excellent reviews. Last time I was looking for an inexpensive SSD, it had to have TRIM, have good reliability, and should have a diagnostic/maintenance tool. I've been looking at the PM830 and 840 but I don't really need the speed of these SSDs so this one might suit my needs just fine at about half the cost. It is a bit of a pain to flash it but I think worth the effort especially if you do more than one of these SSDs.
I'm not sure if Samsung's SSD magician software is compatible with these Dell OEM drives - has anyone looked into it?

To each his/hers own. In the similar price range, my pick would be (and have been) Crucial C300 and Indilinx-based OCZs, which is what mostly runs in my older machines, apart from a couple of Intels which are on the more expensive side of the market.

An independent maintenance tool is really needed if one runs XP/Vista, or on a machine that doesn't support AHCI/TRIM such as my modded T43p.

But once again, all of this is just my opinion...based on personal experiences, and obviously limited as such.

[aoitenshi]

I'm not sure if Samsung's SSD magician software is compatible with these Dell OEM drives - has anyone looked into it?

Samsung Magician software only works on ssd that are sold with their retail package.
I have Samsung 830, samsung 470 oem from dell laptop and samsung ssd from X301 that I bought from Mr. TuuS ..

Samsung Magician 3.1 cannot recognized Samsung 470 oem nor 830 oem for other laptop ...

One of my local manufacturer for memory, is selling samsung 830 oem ssd. The NAND is recognized as samsung 830 using ssd-life but my Samsung Magician 3.1 doesn't recognized the ssd

[rumbero]

I've read about many problems with SSDs from various manufacturers and the Samsungs on the other hand have been getting excellent reviews.

I wouldn't trust only a brand name as this means nothing. One has to evaluate particular models, and then some more details. Personally, i am rather fond of the Samsung 470 and the Intel Postville G2 drives, with the Samsung 830 being of high interest too.

I'm not sure if Samsung's SSD magician software is compatible with these Dell OEM drives - has anyone looked into it?

No, OEM drives are not supported by the Samsung Magician tool. While it is at least capable to recognize the SSD and also set some performance settings in Windows, it is not able to perform any firmware updates. And OEM's usually don't care to provide any firmware updates, even if sorely needed.

There is a particular OEM version of the usually very recommendable Samsung 830 by Dell, called PM830 aka MZ7PC256HAFU, and which is famous for not being faster than a normal HDD due to unacceptable 4k access times. There is a thread about it at http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienwa ... mware.html and no solution was found so far, as Dell doesn't provide any firmware updates to fix the issue. Half of the OEM Samsung SSD PM800 shipped by Dell were infamous for not having proper TRIM support, and for this reason alone i wouldn't want to buy one of these pigs in a poke either.

You can get them all for cheap on ePay, but i wouldn't really call it a bargain considering the poor counter value.

I read somewhere that Samsung drives manufactured in 2010 all support TRIM, not sure if this is true.

I wouldn't want to waste any money on any Samsung drive prior to the 470 model.

[Pete B]

The PM800 did quite well in reviews. I'm not looking for ultimate performance at a $59 price point:
http://thessdreview.com/our-reviews/sam ... nclusions/

[automobus]

The PM800 did quite well in reviews. (Samsung PM800 mSATA, by Les Tokar at The SSD Review)

Pete, I think that review is mistaken. I believe, their so-called "PM800 mSATA" might be properly called PM810. Their SSD contains Samsung's SATA controller MAX, S3C29MAX01-Y340: it is like a Samsung 470 in mSATA shape.

The OP deal is a series PM800 SATA-2 RBB MLC, also called PB22-J, family 'Slim uSATA'. Its controller is S3C29RBB01-YK40. ODM Samsung PM800 SSDs were sold by Kingston as SSDNow V+, and Corsair as P series, and OCZ as Summit. Knowing these retail names, one should be able to find PM800 reviews. I found two by Nathan Kirsch at Legit Reviews Storage:
Kingston 256GB SSDNow V+
Corsair P256 256GB

I took a hint of Sasung SSD names from this EOL notice PDF,
http://www.msc-ge.com/download/pcn/sams ... sata-2.pdf

I have one Dell part number M158R, for Latitude E4200. I attest, controller RBB in MMCRE28GTMXP does sustain 220 Mo/s sequential read. The deal which skygodtj announced might be a different, though similar, part. Being a 'slim' bare board, it does rattle in frame 42W7888. That can easily be fixed with tape, foam, paper, or hot glue.

edit: I overwrote full disk four times, no break between passes, whole-disk sustained sequential write rate is about 110 Mo/s. Capacity is 250069680 logical blok.

[Pete B]

Edit: Deleted comment linking measurements that do not apply to this drive.

I read this review of the Kingston SSD Now V+ drive and the controller and cache are identical. The only difference that I see is that the reviewed drive is 256GB:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1110/1/

I installed the drive in a tower system that happened to be opened up and it did show up in the device manager as:
Samsung SSD PB22-JS3 FDE TM 128GB

I'd say that this drive has quite decent performance for $59, don't expect it to compete with the newest and best designs.

The Thinkpad carrier came today, but my T61 needs a new motherboard and the adapter does not want to go into a Dell 830 system that I have here. Looks like I need a more standard 1.8" to 2.5" adapter.

[skygodtj]

Pete, if its the carrier from ny-compu-tek, try removing the rubber corners (of slice a sliver off them) to see if it'll slide in easier.. I had to rub down the two front corners before it'd fit in my T60..