Question about SSD in a T60p

[joester]

I'm in need of an HDD replacement (dropped my T60p - dangit!) and am a bit confused with read/write speeds listed on SSD's.
I see 300MB/sec here, 500 MB/sec there, and oh look! 6GB/sec up there!

My T60p has the T7600 processor and is maxxed out at 4GB RAM.
Is there any need to try matching the read/write speed to the processor? 6GB/sec would be great, but if the system can't support it, then it's money wasted in my book and better spent on a "lesser" speed SSD.

...or am I all goofed up on this?

Joe

[RealBlackStuff]

A Sandisk Extreme Pro would be one of the best choices.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820171998
Eventually you could move it to your next/newer laptop.

The 6.0Gb/s speed you saw, probably refers to SATA III speed itself, not a Read/Write speed.

[Cigarguy]

No need to worry about max speed for a T60p. The hardware max out at around 130-140 MB/s (SATA I speeds). Having said that a SSD is a huge improvement over a HDD in any system. The Extreme Pro recommended by RBS is a very good SSD.

[joester]

Thanks.
I have newer laptops but the T60p is my favorite for daily use. Size, form, fit, feel......

Next is to find a new plastic base. and a caddy door....

[Cigarguy]

Yeah me too. I love the T60 series, especially the 4:3 screen format. I rotate between a few Thinkpads and always come back to the T60 being my favorite. A 30 GB SLC SSD in the main drive bay with Win 7 and a 500 GB HDD in the Ultrabay still works great for me.

[joester]

Did some looking around and I think I'm grabbing one while they have them. Maybe two?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-ssd ... Id=3075012

[RealBlackStuff]

Don't buy the Sandisk SSD Plus!
If you aim for ~240GB and still cheap, take this Zotac, MUCH better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820016002

[joester]

Don't buy the Sandisk SSD Plus!

Whats the issue?

...just trying to educate myself, not doubting you....

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Google for "Sandisk SSD Plus review" and read the reviews.
They are TLC, which you don't really want.
The Sandisk Extreme Pro, as well as that Zotac, are both MLC.
And don't ask what the difference is between TLC and MLC, again Google it.

[joester]

OK.. TLC and MLC in that order, and according to what I've read, SLC is the best (and most expensive) With higher reliability and read/write cycles than either TLC or MLC.

[ajkula66]

OK.. TLC and MLC in that order, and according to what I've read, SLC is the best (and most expensive) With higher reliability and read/write cycles than either TLC or MLC.

Correct, MLC is middle of the road and still the most common architecture.

The problem is that there are no SLC drives in current production that I'm aware of. However, Intel's X-25E (32 or 64GB) or Micron's P300 (50, 100 or 200GB) can still be located on the second-hand market.

If you need a larger drive, Sandisk Extreme Pro would be my # 1 recommendation.

Happy upgrading.

[brchan]

SSDs have come a long way in durability with better wear leveling. Even if you are writing very large amounts of data everyday, a solid MLC drive will still last you for years (especially >= 256GB drives): http://www.anandtech.com/show/8239/upda ... d-die-size.

[joester]

Ordered a 240GB SLC for $75 shipped.
Figured I couldn't beat that price with a hammer. Toshiba as a brand may be a gamble, but the price was right and so is the architecture.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-q30 ... Id=4574815

I have issue with online purchasing with credit cards. My identity has been stolen/compromised enough and I do everything I can to protect myself now.
Best Buy let me pay with cash and order in-store and it's a nice walk from home.

[Cigarguy]

That drive is NOT SLC, it's TLC as is common and is becoming more common with cheaper and not so cheap SSDs. Like it or not TLC is the future. The SLC is a little deceptive and is designed to lure people in. SLC is only used in a tiny portion of the write buffer/cache.

Here's the first review that I found on this drive.

http://www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-q300-ssd/

[joester]

Slow drive, yes.
But I don't think the T60p will mind.

I thought I had a good understanding too, but I guess the SLC claim in the advertising got me.

Oh well. I guess I'll learn one way or the other.... But I'll share the experience in the process.