[mythtv-users] Opinions on Solid State Drives for Myth ???

[Christopher Kerr]

On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 8:15 AM, Jarod Wilson <jarod at wilsonet.com> wrote:
>> There are a large number of SSDs that perform very well - you just
>> need to do a bit of homework to make sure you get a good one.  OCZ
>> Vertex/Agility drives (have 2 Vertexes myself they are FAST) for
>> example are also very good.
>
> I have both an OCZ Vertex and an Intel X25-M, both fantastic SSD, very
> speedy. The X25-M is in my MacBook Pro, the Vertex is in my primary
> frontend. Helps keep the noise down to a minimum, and lately, I have a
> tendency to shut it down when not in use (not much to watch during the
> summer). The thing boots lightning-fast. I've been eying an X25-V or
> another 30G Vertex for my other frontend, and possibly a WD Silicon
> Edge Blue for my thinkpad (which used to have the X25-M in it, and it
> misses having an SSD, but then again, I have umpteen source trees on
> it these days, so I'd need a relatively huge (and expensive) SSD to be
> practical).
>
> Anyway. Don't know that I'd bother with an SSD for my backend, but I'm
> definitely a fan of a small one for frontend boxes. USB sticks are too
> slow and unsightly for my taste.

Avoid the SiliconEdge Blue, word is that it's fairly ordinary -
basically the same drive as the Kingston V Series, pretty poor random
read performance. There are rumours that we'll see an 80GB X25-V
around the end of the year, so it might be worth keeping an ear open.

If your laptop needs more storage than SSD's can affordably offer,
have a look at the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid drives. Not as fast as a
proper SSD, but it ought to speed up boot times a fair bit.

I was considering going to an SSD in my frontends, but Lucid boots
pretty damn quick anyway, so I didn't bother. I do use an X25-V in my
desktop machine - it's a subtle difference, in that it makes the
computer act like you expected it to in the first place, but Firefox
opening instantly is a particularly nice feature.

- Chris