How to choose an SSD drive for a laptop: Basic rules. Choosing an SSD drive - how to buy a good SSD (solid state drive) drive Review of ssd solid state drives

  • 1. Volume
  • 2. Flash memory
  • 3. Interface
  • 4. Write and read speed
  • 5. Form factor
  • 6. Manufacturer

Choosing the right storage for your data is one of the first priorities when purchasing a personal computer. The quality of the media will determine the security of the information you plan to store on your PC, as well as the speed with which you can use it.

Traditional hard drives are gradually going out of fashion, giving way to the storage media of the future - solid state drives, also known as SSDs. Our material today is devoted to the question of which SSD is better to choose for a specific situation and how to do it so that you don’t have to regret the purchase in the future. Let's talk a little about the main characteristics of these media.

Volume

A painful topic for those who decided to upgrade their hardware and buy an SSD instead of the usual hard drive. The prices for this toy are very steep - 512 gigabytes will cost you about $200, and a terabyte will be a very serious purchase - from $500 and above. It is clear that in the modern world, where a computer toy can weigh tens of gigabytes, only a very wealthy person will be able to equip his computer with SSD drives only. But there is a way out - a symbiosis of these devices. The main purpose of using solid-state drives is to speed up the operation of the system, which means that it is enough to purchase the volume that will be enough to accommodate your operating system, and place all the information, be it movies, games or programs, on regular HDDs. What volume should the average user prefer? Let's think about which SSD drive to choose together:

  1. 32 GB - this volume is enough to install the OS back to back and maybe throw a couple of more frequently used programs on it. If the system unit is being assembled for an office in which nothing but the standard MS Office package is used, this will be an ideal option; for other situations you will still have to fork out a little.
  2. 64 GB – such an SSD can already accommodate a fairly impressive amount of software, but still, this is again an option for a purely work computer, and it is unlikely to be suitable for any professional engineering programs with large databases.
  3. 120 GB – several games can already fit here; fans of playing Dota and other online games will be greatly pleased with the loading speed of their favorite applications on a fast drive;
  4. 240 GB – if you do not have a penchant for collecting unnecessary rubbish from the nooks and crannies of the Internet, then this volume may well be enough for full-time work without connecting additional HDDs. If you like to store large libraries of music, films and other large multimedia files, such a disk will quickly fill up. Overall, this option looks like the perfect compromise between price and capacity.
  5. 480 GB and above – for most users, such an SSD drive will be enough to store all the information they are interested in. If you are in the habit of having a terabyte or two of music on hand, then there is only one option - to buy an additional high-capacity HDD. Or spend thousands of dollars on solid state drives.

Flash memory

The reading speed, durability and performance of the device depend on this parameter. And accordingly the price. There are two main types of memory - two-bit MLC cells and three-bit TLC. As in the previous paragraph, the choice depends on the intended tasks that will be assigned to the drive.
So is it TLC or MLC? If you look at two SSDs with the same price but different flash memory, you will notice that the capacity of the TLC drives will be significantly larger. It would seem, what’s there to think about? Let’s quickly run to the store. Not everything is so simple, the number of rewrite cycles, which is less for TLC, determines the speed of the system, and therefore if we decide to purchase an SSD drive in order to increase the performance of our PC, then we should still choose MLC. If the disk is purchased simply for storing information, then, of course, it is worth getting additional space and purchasing a three-bit version, although a good hard drive will also be suitable for these purposes.
There is another type of flash memory - 3D V-NAND, it is produced by the South Korean giant Samsung. It has a number of technological differences from the two previous options, which, according to experts, make it more reliable in comparison with its competitors, but there is no point in specifically chasing it.

Interface

Once again we are faced with the task of finding the best option in terms of price and quality ratio. The fastest connector, without a doubt, is PCI - phenomenal performance, but the price is not affordable for everyone. The slowest is USB, so it is advisable not to use a solid-state drive with such a connector as stationary storage; it is only suitable for external drives. But let's deal with the remaining SATA.
First, we need to find out which type of SATA our motherboard supports - there are three in total. To do this, we go to the manufacturer’s website and find out the specifications of the existing model. This can also be done by visually inspecting the board or by entering the combination “wmic baseboard get product” without quotes into the Windows command line.

If we have a SATA III connector at our disposal, it is very advisable to use it, because the transfer speed with its help is 6 Gb / s, which is twice as high as SATA II and four times higher than SATA I.

Write and read speed

I think there are no questions about what this parameter is responsible for. The higher this indicator, the faster the drive is able to read or write a file, that is, it is responsible for the performance of the device. With high reading speed, our programs and games will launch faster, and fast writing will help you not wait for hours to unpack the archive.
Modern SSDs for the most part have speeds in the range of 500-600 MB/s, which, by the way, is slightly less than what the SATA III interface allows for transferring - 750 MB per second. There are also slower, outdated solid state drives, but we recommend not to consider them - they are already obsolete and with their help it will be difficult to achieve a significant performance increase compared to hard drives. The speed of the latter, by the way, fluctuates around 128 MB/s, that is, a modern SSD will show four times better results! If the write and read speeds are represented by different numbers, then preference should be given to the latter - it affects operational performance in repetitive processes, while writing information to disk is one-time in nature.

Form factor

Unlike the situation on the hard drive market, solid-state drives did not have to choose between sizes - almost all models are available in the 2.5-inch form factor. The problem arises when such a device needs to be installed in the body of the system unit - the ports are provided for 3.5-inch models. But SSD manufacturers almost always equip their devices with an adapter box, and therefore, in the end, there is practically no difference. Some craftsmen even screw a smaller copy into a regular slot using the same black bolts, using two of them.
If you decide to install such a drive in a laptop, then you need to first analyze what dimensions you can fit into the body of the laptop. For example, the height of a 2.5-inch SSD can vary between 5 and 9.5 mm. So, having a seven-millimeter space at your disposal, purchasing a large solid-state body would be a mistake. The same applies to interfaces; some laptops only have mSATA and M.2 connectors, which means we need an SSD that supports them. Care is required when analyzing each of the device parameters.

Manufacturer

We have already repeated several times that an SSD is an expensive toy, and therefore we advise you to consider its purchase as a long-term investment. In order not to have to break the box again immediately after the warranty period expires, it is advisable to buy equipment from a time-tested company, we list the most popular options that have earned an excellent reputation:

  1. Samsung – almost half of the solid-state drive market belongs to this South Korean giant. If other manufacturers do not shy away from performing only some technological processes from the full cycle, outsourcing the rest, then Samsung has everything thought out from start to finish. Their SSD may cost a little higher than the average market price, but there is practically no chance of running into a defect.
  2. Kingstone - these guys are the trendsetters in delegating authority to third-party developers, while they themselves prefer to skim the cream. This does not negatively affect the quality; the company’s quality control department works at the highest level. The breadth of the model range is one of the main reasons to give preference to this brand; in almost any price category you will find an SSD that best suits your needs.
  3. Crucial and SanDisk are a little less reliable, a little more affordable. Not to say that this is a budget option, but if the goal is to meet the minimum amount and not lose quality, then be sure to take a closer look at these manufacturers.

You should avoid unfamiliar companies, spend a few hundred dollars and after a while end up with nothing - a so-so prospect, but this is exactly what purchasing an unknown device for the sake of saving a few dollars promises.

We have not listed all the characteristics that SSD drives have, but the ones mentioned will be quite enough to narrow down your search range and choose a good solid-state drive that will faithfully serve you for many years.

Tired of your computer running slowly? All you need to do is replace your old hard drive with an SSD. This alternative will allow you to work comfortably with data and not worry about its safety. Solid state drives are capable of quickly processing large flows of information, relieving the load from the central processor. The drive has a standard connection connector, so it is suitable for both laptops and desktop PCs. The parameters of each SSD may differ in terms of technical characteristics and price. Therefore, it is important to choose a quality product that will perfectly suit your device.

We've compiled a list of the best solid-state drives (SSDs) based on expert reviews and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

  1. ADATA
  2. Western Digital
  3. Kingston
  4. Intel
  5. SiliconPower
  1. Transcend
  2. ADATA
  3. Samsung
  4. Silicon Power

Expensive/Premium class

  1. Samsung
  2. Western Digital
For laptops For computers Type: SATA Budget External Volume: up to 512 GB Volume: 1TB or more Type: PCI-E

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

SSD drives: For laptops

Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: PCI-E / For computers/ For laptops

Main advantages
  • SSD has increased reliability and is capable of recording up to 1.2 PB of data
  • The solid-state drive is designed to perform heavy-duty tasks and is fully compatible with high-performance personal computer components
  • Despite its small size, the board dissipates heat well. Constant temperature monitoring will prevent overheating
  • Ideal for ultra-thin laptops that do not support large body SDDs
  • The SamsungPolaris controller is capable of writing at speeds up to 2100 MB/s and reading at 3500 MB/s
  • Unlike a HDD drive, it consumes up to 5.1 W. Low power consumption allows you to increase the battery life of your laptop

Show all products in the category "For laptops"

SSD drives: Type: SATA

For computers/ For laptops / Budget

Main advantages
  • The solid-state drive uses SLC cache technology. This improvement allows you to increase data loading speed, as well as increase the overall service life of the SSD
  • In automatic mode, the drive automatically copies internal data from SLC blocks into TLC memory. Using this procedure, the overall speed of operation increases by reducing the load on the device controller
  • Starting and resuming from hibernation takes a matter of seconds, while the hard drive takes several minutes to boot
  • The solid-state drive is resistant to vibration and shock, making it well suited for devices that are frequently carried

Type: SATA / Volume: up to 512 GB / For computers/ For laptops

Main advantages
  • The SSD has BadBlockManagement technology. It allows you to monitor damaged blocks and replace them in a timely manner, which allows you to increase the life of the drive.
  • When purchased, the solid-state drive has a minimum configuration, which will save money on useless parts
  • The write/read speed of an SSD drive exceeds a conventional HDD in the same price category, approximately four times in read mode and more than 5 times in write mode
  • Unlike a hard drive, an SSD can take a beating
    1500 G
  • The thickness and size of the SSD fits almost all laptops that support SATA III connectivity

For computers

Main advantages
  • Intelligent TurboWrite technology ensures full operation of the device in multitasking mode under maximum loads thanks to the memory buffer increased to 78 GB
  • The updated MJX controller, operating on the basis of ECC algorithms, optimizes the mutual exchange of data between the drive and the host system
  • Durable housing is protected from external damage, vibration and other types of mechanical influences
  • V-NAND technology extends the functional recording life of the device to 2400 TBW
  • Hardware support for AES ensures correct operation of the 256-bit encryption algorithm and compatibility with IEEE 1667/TCG Opal standards

For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: SATA / Budget

Main advantages
  • Functional Integrity Testing Lab certification ensures drive compatibility with a wide range of laptops and desktops
  • Own software controls device parameters, allows you to create backup copies of the operating system, and manipulate logical disk partitions
  • A five-year warranty on the drive from the manufacturer regulates its long service life in normal mode.
  • Quad-channel 88SS1074 controller improves memory performance during multi-threaded writing/reading of information
  • Support for NCQ at the hardware level reorganizes the order of commands for processing data from different sources, which allows the product to be used in simple servers with an average load level

Show all products in category "Type: SATA"

SSD drives: Budget

Budget / For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: SATA

Main advantages
  • The design of the drive, which does not contain moving parts, has increased impact resistance during falls from low heights and excessive physical activity.
  • Low power consumption increases laptop battery life
  • Silicon Motion controller ensures stable operation of TLC 3D NAND memory in multi-threaded mode
  • Proprietary Dashboard/True Image software makes it easy to monitor and operate your SSD in low-level access mode
  • Advanced SLC caching speeds up the processing of frequently used data and smoothes out the effect of read/write speed drops when moving to main memory from a buffer

Budget / For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: SATA

Main advantages
  • Proprietary hardware technology End-to-End Data Protection guarantees the safety and integrity of data during parallel movement of information to the device by creating a temporary backup buffer
  • Support for the Smart Response function ensures stable and correct interaction between solid-state drives and classic high-capacity hard drives
  • Rapid Start mode ensures that the device exits hibernation mode almost instantly
  • Hardware support for AES regulates the full operation of 256-bit encryption
  • Write/read speeds corresponding to 440/550 MB/sec significantly speed up the interaction of the solid-state drive with the operating system and any applications

Budget / For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: SATA

Main advantages
  • The metal case of the solid-state drive provides additional protection for the device from physical influences and shocks
  • The shortened compact board on which the memory is located effectively removes excess heat during active operation
  • Secure Erase support guarantees correct and unambiguous physical erasure of disk data, including overwriting “bad” blocks
  • High-quality assembly and high quality components determine the operating time frame within one million hours before failure
  • The standard form factor simplifies installation of the device in any laptop that supports SATA 3/2 interfaces

Budget / For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB / Type: SATA

Main advantages
  • High-quality assembly of the device regulates its long service life - up to one million hours
  • The metal case provides additional protection for the drive from shocks and vibrations
  • The universal Serial ATA interface simplifies connecting the device to any modern laptop, even without an M.2 connector
  • Optimized arrangement of elements on the baseplate minimizes the risk of overheating and improves heat dissipation
  • The Phison PS3111-S11 controller ensures full operation of the device in multitasking mode with parallel writing and reading
  • TLC memory modules based on 15 nm technology support 4 KB sectors in hardware

Show all products in the "Budget" category

SSD drives: External

External / For computers/ For laptops / Volume: up to 512 GB

Main advantages
  • The drive is reliably protected by a metal case and can withstand drops from a height of up to two meters
  • USB 3.1 Generation 2 support allows for speeds up to five times faster than a hard drive
  • Thanks to its small size and weight of about 50 grams, the drive is ideal for conveniently transferring information
  • Using software for PC, Mac and Android devices, you can quickly update firmware and set passwords
  • Thanks to the hardware implementation of the AES 256-bit protocol, data on the device can be reliably protected from unauthorized access

Solid State Drive is a generation of modern and fast information storage devices. They use non-volatile Flash memory technology called NAND. Thanks to the developments of Asus, Samsung, Kingston and other giant companies, the SSD has been released into mass production and is available for purchase at a reasonable price. Considering its technical superiority, namely write/read speed, resistance to physical damage and compact size, HDD drives are losing their market position every year in favor of young and efficient technology.

Today you can buy different SSDs from different manufacturers, in different price categories, with all kinds of connection interfaces (SATA, M2, PCI Express, NGFF). But which one is better to choose? We invite you to take a look at our rating of the TOP 7 best models of solid-state hard drives 2018 – 2019.

Features, pros and cons of solid state drives

Let's look at the strengths and weaknesses of solid-state drives:

pros

  • there are no moving parts in the device case, which means that the disk does not make noise (unlike HDD) and is less susceptible to mechanical damage;
  • high speed of writing (up to 500 MB/sec) and reading (up to 540 MB/sec) information from the disk;
  • low power consumption (~1.5 W under load);
  • modest dimensions (100x70x7 mm).

Minuses

  • limited number of rewrite cycles; after the resource is exhausted, the hard drive will be read-only;
  • the price of a gigabyte is six to seven times higher than the price of HDD drives;
  • Write speed decreases when processing large files.

TOP 7 best SSD drives for a computer: which one is better?

Still, which SSD drive should you choose for your computer? Of the variety of solid-state drives, we have selected the seven best options:

  • 120 Gb Kingston SA400S37/120G.

Updated: 07/15/2018 17:45:29


*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Despite the fact that classic HDD hard drives with a physical mechanically rotating disk still occupy an impressive market share and do not lose their relevance, every year they are confidently being replaced by hard drives built using a fundamentally different technology. We are talking about SSD drives, in the class name of which even the word “disk” itself is not entirely appropriate, but is used more by inertia. Expertology specialists have prepared for you a rating review of eleven interesting models of SSD drives, divided into categories: external, for desktop PCs, for laptops.

Rating of the best SSD drives

Nomination place Name of product price
Best External SSD Drives 1 10,694 RUR
2 10,663 RUR
3 7,987 RUR
The best SSD drives for your desktop computer 1 17,766 RUR
2 -
3 -
4 8 290 ₽
The best SSD drives for a laptop 1 19,350 RUR
2 -
3 RUB 20,743
4 4,590 RUR

Best External SSD Drives

The first group of SSD drives in our review are stand-alone external solid-state data drives. Their advantages are quite obvious - the complete absence of a mechanical component (which means almost zero probability of failure due to a fall), high data transfer speed, minimal weight. Disadvantages, such as “degeneration” with intensive use, a decrease in data exchange speed over time, etc., are to one degree or another solved by manufacturers and, as the technology itself improves, they gradually disappear completely.

The first device that attracted the attention of our specialists was a 500GB SSD drive from Samsung. The case dimensions are 57.3x10.5x74 mm, formally the device corresponds to a 1.8" form factor. Weight is only 51 g. The design is minimalistic, almost non-existent, which for such a “large flash drive” can hardly be considered a disadvantage.

But if you look at the technological design and features of the model, you can find a lot of important and good things. For example, the media supports an extended data area layout format (4 KB sectors). Also, it is not in danger of a gradual decrease in data exchange speed over time (a typical “disease” of modern SSDs) - it supports the TRIM command, which cleans up unused blocks, thereby bringing performance in order.

The encryption feature is built in by default. This is not a direct advantage, since this approach to data storage is not convenient for everyone. Either way, this feature can be easily disabled.

What’s also notable about this model is its equipment. The manufacturer supplied the SSD drive with two cables at once: USB Type C and an adapter from Type C to Type A. The SSD drive is optimally designed to work via the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface.

The manufacturer promises read speeds of up to 540 MB/s, and in general, according to user reviews, this is true.

Advantages

    small size, minimal weight;

    high read and write speed;

    extended equipment;

Flaws

  • short communication cable (subjective).

The next SSD drive in the Expertology rating is an external solid-state drive from the Taiwanese manufacturer ADATA. The first thing that catches your eye is the original design of the device - all the electronics are enclosed in a square case made of black plastic with a bright red border. The case dimensions are 83.5x13.9x83.5 mm, the device weight is 100 g. It is made in a conventional 2.5" form factor.

The XPG SD700X SSD capacity is 512GB. The memory type used is TLC 3D NAND with support for 4 KB sectors. The manufacturer's stated write speed is 430 MB/s, read speed is 440 MB/s. Safe operating temperature ranges from 5 to 50 degrees.

Another feature of this SSD drive that may be important is its decent resistance to shock loads - up to 1500G/0.5 ms. As for the physical ability to function until probable failure, the manufacturer estimates this period at 2,000,000 hours (more than good). It is difficult to judge how closely this figure corresponds to the real state of affairs, since close research has not been carried out on this issue.

A-Data Technology provides its own warranty for this SSD drive for a period of 36 months.

Advantages

    spectacular design;

    support for 4 kB sectors;

    high data transfer speed;

Flaws

The group of portable SSD media ratings is completed by a super-compact model from the famous SanDisk brand. It is made in a 1.8" form factor and its dimensions are 49.55x8.85x96.2 mm. The SSD disk weighs 79 g. The dark gray (or black) case has a characteristic texture that effectively masks blots, fingerprints, and scratches. Also the housing contains a special hole that can be used for fastening, hooking, hanging.

As is easy to understand, this is really a “big flash drive”, and there is even a drawback here - clearly limited volume, as for today’s information world, which is extremely demanding for this indicator.

In terms of the level of electronics, everything here is quite decent: the technology of dividing space into sectors of 4 kB is supported, the declared read speed is 550 MB/s, it is connected via a USB 3.1 (Gen 2) interface, and does not require additional power.

We should also say a few words about the physical characteristics of the SSD drive. It is characterized by increased impact resistance (1500 G at rest and in operating mode), effective protection against moisture or dust getting inside. Limit operating temperature - 45 °C

Advantages

    compact;

    convenient, practical and attractive design;

    effective moisture and dust protection;

    shock resistant;

Flaws

  • small volume.

The best SSD drives for your desktop computer

The second group of devices in our rating are SSD drives used to complete a desktop (not laptop) computer. Their main difference from the previous group is the type of connection, which does not provide for easily accessible portability. These SSD drives are designed for long-term operation without transfer or reconnection.

Number one in this group is an extremely interesting model of an “internal” SSD drive from the famous Taiwanese brand Plextor. The dimensions of the device are 22.39x121.04x176.33 mm, weight - 200 g. Although this is almost irrelevant for internal SSDs, even from the outside the case looks stylish and attractive (important for those who have transparent PC case walls).

The storage capacity is 512 GB and is connected to the motherboard via a PCI-E 3.0 x4 connector. Data writing speed is up to 1000 MB/s. The reading speed is quite impressive - 2450 MB/s. The type of flash memory used is TLC.

The SSD contains all the innovations that are gradually becoming a de facto standard. Supports 4 KB sectors and the TRIM command. The random (non-sequential) write speed is 175 thousand IOPS, in 4 KB blocks. 1024 MB are allocated for buffer memory. NVMe standard is supported.

Separately, it is worth saying a few words about the “physics” of this SSD drive, which the manufacturer himself quite honestly describes. Thus, the stated time between failures is 1.5 million hours - not a record figure, but decent. The maximum safe operating temperature is 70 °C. There is even a declared impact resistance of 1500 G, although the meaning of emphasizing this characteristic is not entirely clear.

Advantages

    high write and read speed;

    one of the most powerful controllers (Marvell);

    minimal heating;

    reliability and endurance;

Flaws

  • no pronounced deficiencies were noted.

The group of ratings of the best SSDs for PCs according to Expertology continues with a model from the American company OCZ Storage Solutions. Since its founding, the company has specialized in the production of flash media in various forms. In 2013, the company became a subsidiary of the Japanese corporation Toshiba, and this greatly benefited it and the admirers of its products.

This is a very worthy technological solution, the only clear drawback of which can be considered the limited capacity of 240 GB. But if you plan to use the disk only for the system, this is more than enough. The dimensions of the device are 15.25x98.42x167.64 mm, weight - 114 g. Power consumption - 8.3 W. Connects via a standard PCI-E 2.0 x4 slot. SandForce SF-2281 x4 is used as a controller.

The chip architecture uses MLC type flash memory. Partitioning into 4 KB sectors is supported. The stated write and read speeds are lower than those of the previous model - 1225 and 1500 MB/s, respectively, but there is reason to believe that these characteristics are more “honest”. In any case, this is what independent research suggests. As for the non-sequential write speed, it is higher than the previous model - 200 thousand IOPS. The manufacturer's stated MTBF is 1 million hours. Data encryption is built in by default.

The shock resistance is the same as that of the Plextor PX-512M8SeY - 1500 G. The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty on the SSD drive.

Advantages

    super fast;

    slight heating;

    built-in data encryption;

Flaws

  • drivers and some manipulations are needed to use it as the main (system) one.

Now, as part of the Expertology rating, we’ll look at a solid-state drive for PCs produced by a company that doesn’t need any introduction – Intel. Despite the fact that Intel’s ability to produce outstanding electronics is beyond doubt, you shouldn’t expect any “superpowers” ​​from this particular SSD model. But nevertheless, our experts included it in the review, and then it will become clear why.

The “pure” linear dimensions of the SSD drive are 70x9.5x100 mm, weight - 78 g. It is made in a conventional 2.5" form factor, but the manufacturer pleased us with the inclusion of a set of parts for installing the drive in a 3.5" bay.

As with all the devices discussed above, including external ones, this one supports partitioning into large 4KB sectors. The type of flash memory used is MLC. The controller is the same as the previous model - SandForce SF-2281. Power consumption - 0.85 W.

Now about those aspects that are noticeably worse in this SSD than in previous SSDs for desktop PCs. Firstly - volume. It is only 180 GB. Secondly, the write and read speeds: 520 and 550 MB per second, respectively (far from the characteristics of the same OCZ RVD3X2-FHPX4-240G. The speed of non-sequential writing in 4 KB blocks is up to 80,000 IOPS (also far from an outstanding result). The device is connected via SATA 6Gbit/s with external bandwidth of 600 MB/s. Claimed MTBF is up to 1.2 million hours. Support for NCQ (technology that improves SSD performance) and built-in data encryption are implemented.

And finally, we’ll explain why this SSD drive is noticeably inferior to its “neighbors” in direct indicators. The fact is that Intel SSDSC2CW180A3K5 is positioned by the manufacturer itself as a gaming one. This means that by definition it cannot balance on the performance edge and border on noticeable fault tolerance risks.

Advantages

    positioned as a game;

    equipment (adapter for 3.5" bay);

    reliability, reliability;

Flaws

  • modest volume and other key indicators.

And the second group of the SSD rating for PCs is completed by a very good model produced by the Japanese corporation Toshiba. Let's say right away that this model is positioned by the manufacturer as a gaming one, with all that it implies - a relatively small volume, modest inconsistent recording speed, etc., which is most often characteristic of external drives, but not typical of stationary ones.

This SSD drive also supports 4 KB sectors (this will not surprise anyone, but we must say about it), the type of memory used is MLC. The “native” Toshiba TC358790 controller is used, and this is quite good from the point of view of subtle technical aspects.

Toshiba HDTSA25EZSTA has dimensions of 69.85x7x100 mm, weight - only 54 g. It is positioned as “for desktop PC and laptop”, and there are no special questions here. The volume of the device is far from outstanding, but also not as modest as that of the previous model - 256 GB. Write speed – 510 MB/s, read speed – 550 MB/s. The random write speed (4KB blocks) is very modest - 58000 IOPS, but, again, the disk is “like” a gaming one. Connects via SATA 6Gbit/s with external bandwidth of 600 MB/s. TRIM and NCQ technology are supported. The latter partly compensates for performance shortcomings. The first, in fact, is aimed at the same thing.

The stated MTBF is 1.3 million hours. The maximum operating temperature is “not very” - up to 65 ° C, power consumption - 3.30 W.

Advantages

    reliability and reliability;

    no additional manipulations with system installation are required;

    renowned brand;

Flaws

  • To install on a PC, you need to purchase additional slides, a bracket and a cable.

The best SSD drives for a laptop

And the rating from Expertology is completed by a specific group of SSD models specifically designed for laptop computers. Special requirements are put forward for them: “correct” compactness, performance, good cooling, compatibility, etc. Our experts have identified four interesting models among the market offer.

The first number in the third group is the second model from the Taiwanese electronics brand Plextor, but now it will be a specially designed device for laptop computers. The manufacturer positions this SSD as a gaming SSD, to what extent this is true - judge from the direct technical characteristics and reviews, which we will also go through.

The dimensions of the device are 29.8x3.6x50.8 mm, the weight is almost nothing (only 10 g). Power consumption is also minimal - only 0.25 W.

Of course, this SSD drive has progressive support for dividing space into conventional “sectors” of 4 KB each. The controller used is Marvell 88SS9188 (one of the most powerful and reliable for this model).

The storage capacity is “honest” 512 GB. The write and read speeds (declared by the factory) are quite ordinary - 440 and 520 MB/s, respectively. Non-sequential write speed is 80,000 IOPS. 768 MB are allocated for the buffer.

An SSD drive can be connected in two ways – via mSATA or “regular” SATA 6Gbit/s, but the external data exchange speed will be the same – about 600 MB/s. There is support for NCQ technology, which to some extent compensates for the drop in performance over time.

There is even a declared impact resistance rating. It is “standard” for such devices - 1500 G, and unlike desktop PCs, for laptops it may make at least some difference. MTBF - 1,500,000 hours. There is a built-in data encryption function.

Advantages

    small, lightweight, durable, energy saving;

    there is built-in encryption;

    powerful and reliable controller;

Flaws

  • a noticeable percentage of failures within the warranty period.

Now let's talk in the rating about another SSD drive from the famous electronics manufacturer - Intel. This “laptop” SSD is also declared as a gaming SSD, which means it should at least have a decent resource during intensive use. To a large extent, this is exactly what it is, and this is done due to the volume and partly the speed of work. Although, the speed of modern SSDs is such that this question can only be of serious interest to very close reviewers.

So, this SSD drive, like everything else in the review, supports 4 KB sectors. MLC type flash memory is used. The controller is quite common and tested in any conditions - SandForce SF-2281. The dimensions of the device are 29.85x3.8x50.8 mm, weight - 10 g.

The storage capacity is “so-so” - 240 GB, but more than enough for the system. Write and read speeds average 480 and 540 MB/s, respectively. Random write speed in 4K blocks is 80,000 IOPS.

Connection via mini-SATA or full SATA 6Gbit/s with a connection bandwidth of 600 MB/s. There is built-in support for NCQ technology and data encryption, as in most previous models. True, the shock resistance is lower - 1000 G, but this is such an indicator that you need to consciously set a goal in order to physically damage the device, especially if it is located in a laptop case. The declared time between failures is 1,200,000 hours. Power consumption is 0.14 W.

Advantages

    reliable controller;

    afraid of direct blows;

    small and reliable;

Flaws

  • small volume.

This is also a gaming SSD hard drive with support for 4 KB sectors, built on MLC architecture flash memory. The dimensions of the SSD drive are 29.85x4x50.8 mm, and the weight is even less than that of the three previous laptop models - 8 g.

The storage capacity is 512 GB, it is connected via mSATA or classic SATA 6Gbit/s with external data transfer speeds of up to 600 MB/s. Data read speed (claimed) is 570 MB/s, write speed is 450 MB/s.

As in previous models, NCQ support is implemented here, compensating for the shortcomings in data exchange speed that increase over time.

The manufacturer provides a 36-month warranty.

Advantages

    affordable price;

    reliable;

    compact and lightweight;

Flaws

  • not noted.

This is also an SSD hard drive with gaming potential, support for 4KB sectors, built on MLC-type flash memory architecture. The popular SandForce SF-2241 controller is used. The dimensions of the SSD disk are 30x4x51 mm. Weight is the smallest in our review - only 7 g.

This is the smallest solid-state hard drive in terms of volume, not only in the group of laptops, but in general in the review - its volume is only 120 GB. That is, its size is only enough to install the system and basic applications. The read and write speeds that the manufacturer promises are not small, but not outstanding - 520 and 550 MB per second, respectively. The random write speed is quite “sad” - about 45,000 IOPS, but this was done not least for the sake of the gaming component, in order to increase the resource.

The hard drive is connected via mSATA or SATA 6Gbit/s with an external data exchange rate of 600 MB/s. The stated time to failure is about 1,000,000 hours. There is a built-in data encryption function.

Advantages

    minimum weight;

    significant time between failures;

    good speed;

    affordable price;

Flaws

  • minimum volume.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.