For every taste and every budget. It doesn't matter if you're looking to get the benefits of an SSD without blowing your savings, or you want to install four in RAID 0 and break speed records, the solid-state drive market is now complex and robust enough to respond to any demand. This time, we present eight different SSD models, ranging from a casual investment with immediate improvements to a true festival of space and speed.
There are many reasons why a computer can become slow. Nobody denies that software is getting more demanding, but with sufficient optimization it's possible to keep most negative effects at bay. Then there are specific hardware cases that need special attention. I imagine there are many Pentium 4s still serving their owners well, yet the updated requirements of the latest Windows version have left older specimens behind. Still, there are very solid platforms in use, one of the reasons why the computer market has cooled down so much. Furthermore, we find two very smart upgrades that every user can make: graphics card and solid-state drive. Graphics cards clearly target entertainment, but if what you're looking for is a direct improvement, an SSD will make any hard drive bite the dust. Want an idea of which models to look for? Let's see...
SanDisk ReadyCache
If we study the specs of the SanDisk ReadyCache, we'll notice that it's only available in 32 GB of capacity. That number might be too low for most of its possible applications, but SanDisk actually offers it as a cache drive, working together with your current hard drive. Anyway, nothing stops you from using it as a primary SSD with other operating systems, or on platforms other than a traditional computer. Price: €35–€55 (32 GB).
Kingston SSDNow V300
For many, the Kingston SSDNow V300 has become the 'first SSD' that enables access to this fabulous technology. Due to manufacturing differences between revisions, the SSDNow V300 has not been free of criticism, but it's logical to assume that Kingston picked up the gauntlet, or else the discussion would still be active. Although there is a 60 GB model, our recommendation is to jump directly to the 120 gigabyte model. Price: €55–€65 (120 GB).
Intel 535 Series
With a series of reliable products and minimal issues, Intel has become one of the most important players in the SSD market. Many of its models target the enterprise market, but the consumer line remains very attractive. One of the latest models to come out of Santa Clara is the Intel 535 Series, an update to the 530 series. The Intel name carries a small premium... but some are looking for exactly that. Price: €95 (120 GB).
Transcend SSD340
Something that arrives from outside the radar before entering the domain of big names. Transcend is much better known for its pen drives and memory cards, but it's natural that it also gets into SSDs, and its SSD340 model has received very good reviews. There's a chance that when you search for this model you'll find its direct replacement, the SSD370, but with almost half a gigabyte per second of reading in both cases, you can't go wrong. If there are 20 euros extra over the Kingston SSD and the Intel premium doesn't attract you, you should buy this one. Price: €75 (128 GB).
Crucial MX200
If above we mentioned an Intel SSD, we couldn't forget one of its main partners, Micron, and its Crucial brand. The Crucial MX200 is available as a replacement for the previous MX100, and although the difference in specs is not that big (for example, both models use the same controller), the MX200 manages to improve write speed, and offer greater capacity. Without a doubt, one of the best options in terms of cost-benefit ratio. Price: €110–€120 (250 GB).
Samsung 850 EVO
It's time to enter Samsung's territory. It's no coincidence that the South Korean manufacturer appears here, as its wide range of products attack different market points with precision. The Samsung 850 EVO at 250 gigabytes is a true soldier, keeping its direct rivals at bay, and surpassing the performance of its predecessor 840 EVO. Samsung SSDs carry a reputation for being expensive, but in this case, it's definitely worth it. Price: €120 (250 GB).
Intel 730 Series
I could have placed another EVO here, but I'd like to mix things up a little by mentioning at this point the excellent Intel 730 series. Even though it's been on the market for a year and a half, this SSD has what it takes to trade multiple punches with its competitors, and if possible, go directly for the 480 gigabyte model. If for some reason you decide to connect two drives in RAID 0, you'll smash the gigabyte per second in reads. Price: €375 (480 GB).
Samsung 850 Pro
As Agent Smith once said: It is inevitable. Our list today closes with the outrageous Samsung 850 Pro at two terabytes, officially presented last July. The investment is scary no matter how you look at it, but in return, Samsung delivers a party with 550 megabytes per second of reading, and a not-to-be-sneezed-at ten-year warranty, a detail that very few manufacturers can match. Price: $1,000 (2 TB).
Our list tries to obey the price-performance combo as best as possible, but we must not ignore the fact that SSDs have improved a lot, and I'm absolutely convinced that you'll find very attractive alternatives between one suggestion and the next. In other words: take this data as a reference, study what the local market offers, compare specs, and from there, choose. One more thing: You'll need bay adapters to use these SSDs in a desktop, and don't forget to update the firmware. Good luck!
