11 best SSDs

Despite the fact that classic HDDs with a physical mechanically rotating disk still occupy an impressive share of the market and do not lose relevance, hard drives built according to a fundamentally different technology confidently press them every year. Speech about SSD-drives, in the name of the class which even the word “disk” is not entirely appropriate, but is used more by inertia. expert.bigbadmole.com/en/ prepared for you a rating review of eleven interesting models of SSD-drives, divided into categories: external, for desktop PC, for laptop.

Top SSD Drives

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best external SSDs	1	Samsung Portable SSD T5 500GB	10 694 ₽
	2	ADATA XPG SD700X 512GB	10 663 ₽
	3	SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 250GB	7 987 ₽
Top SSDs for the desktop	1	Plextor PX-512M8SeY	17 766 ₽
	2	OCZ RVD3X2-FHPX4-240G	-
	3	Intel SSDSC2CW180A3K5	-
	4	Toshiba HDTSA25EZSTA	8 290 ₽
Best Laptop SSDs	1	Plextor PX-512M6M	19 350 ₽
	2	Intel SSDMCEAW240A401	-
	3	Transcend TS512GMSA370	20 743 ₽
	4	Kingston SMS200S3 / 120G	4 590 ₽

Best external SSDs

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 (and, therefore, almost zero probability of failure due to a fall), high data transfer rate, minimum weight. Disadvantages, such as “degeneration” as intensively exploited, a decrease in the rate of data exchange over time, etc., are to some extent resolved by manufacturers and as the technology itself improves, they gradually disappear altogether.

Samsung Portable SSD T5 500GB

Rating: 4.9

The first device that attracted the attention of our specialists was Samsung's SSD disk at 500GB. The case dimensions are 57.3x10.5x74 mm, formally the device corresponds to the 1.8 form factor. The weight is only 51 g. The design is minimalistic, almost absent, which for such a “big flash drive” can hardly be considered a disadvantage.

But if you look at the technological performance and features of the model, you can find a lot of important and good. For example, the medium supports an extended data format markup (4 KB sectors). Also, he is not threatened with a gradual decrease in the speed of data exchange with time (a typical “disease” of modern SSDs) - he supports the TRIM team, which cleans up unused blocks, thereby putting the performance in order.

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

What's more remarkable about this model is the package bundle. 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 “tuned” to work via the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface.

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

ADATA XPG SD700X 512GB

Rating: 4.8

The next SSD in rating from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is an external solid-state drive from Taiwan manufacturer ADATA.First of all, the original design of the device is striking - all electronics is enclosed in a square case of black plastic with a bright red edging. The case dimensions are 83.5x13.9x83.5 mm, the weight of the device is 100 g. It is made in 2.5 conditional form factor.

The size of the SSD XPG SD700X is 512GB. TLC 3D NAND memory type is used with support for 4 KB sectors. The write speed declared by the manufacturer is 430 MB / s, reading 440 MB / s. Safe working temperature is in the range of 5 to 50 degrees.

Another feature of this SSD drive that may be important is decent shock resistance - up to 1500G / 0.5 ms. With regard to the physical ability to function until a possible failure, the manufacturer estimates this period at 2,000,000 hours (more than good). It is difficult to judge how this figure corresponds to the real state of things, since there has been no close research on this part.

A-Data Technology provides its own 36-month SSD warranty.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 250GB

Rating: 4.8

Completing the group of portable SSD carrier rating is the supercompact model of the well-known SanDisk brand. It is made in the 1.8 "form factor, and its dimensions are 49.55x8.85x96.2 mm. The SSD weighs 79 g. The dark gray (or black) case has a characteristic texture that effectively masks blots, fingerprints, and scratches. Also The case contains a special hole that can be used for fastening, hooking, and hanging.

As it is not difficult to understand, this is really a “big flash drive”, and there is even a drawback here - a clearly limited amount, as for today's extremely demanding information world to this indicator.

As regards the level of electronics, everything is quite decent here: the technology of dividing the space into 4 KB sectors is supported, the stated reading speed is 550 MB / s, the interface is connected via the USB 3.1 interface (Gen 2), it 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 shock resistance (1500 G at rest and in operation), effective protection against ingress of moisture or dust. Extreme operating temperature - 45 ° C

Top SSDs for the desktop

The second group of devices in our rating are SSD disks used to complete the desktop (not portable) computer. Their main difference from the previous group is a type of connection that does not provide for easily accessible portability. These SSDs are designed for continuous operation without transfer and reconnection.

Plextor PX-512M8SeY

Rating: 4.9

The first number in this group is an extremely interesting model of the “internal” SSD carrier of the famous Taiwanese brand Plextor. The dimensions of the device are 22.39x121.04x176.33 mm, weight - 200 g. Although it almost does not matter for the internal SSDs, but even externally, the case looks stylish and attractive (important for those with transparent PC case walls).

The volume of the carrier is 512 GB, it is connected to the motherboard through the PCI-E 3.0 x4 slot. Data writing speed is up to 1000 MB / s. The reading speed is altogether impressive - 2450 MB / s. The type of flash memory used is TLC.

The SSD drive contains all the innovations that are gradually becoming the de facto standard. It supports sectorization by 4 KB and the TRIM team. The speed of random (non-sequential) writing is 175 thousand IOPS, in blocks of 4 KB each. Under the buffer memory allocated 1024 MB. The NVMe standard is supported.

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

OCZ RVD3X2-FHPX4-240G

Rating: 4.8

It continues the group of the rating of the best SSD for PC according to expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ model from the American company OCZ Storage Solutions. Since its foundation, the company has specialized in the production of flash media in various forms. In 2013, the company became a subsidiary of Toshiba, a Japanese corporation, and this greatly benefited it and its fans.

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

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

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

Intel SSDSC2CW180A3K5

Rating: 4.7

Now within the framework of the rating from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/, we will consider a solid-state drive for a PC manufactured by a company that does not need any ideas - Intel. With all that, the ability of Intel to produce outstanding electronics is not in any doubt, it is not worth waiting for any “superpowers” ​​from this particular SSD carrier model. But still, our experts included it in the review, and further it becomes clear why.

The “pure” linear dimensions of an SSD disk are 70x9.5x100 mm, weight - 78 g. It is made in the conditional form factor 2.5 ", but the manufacturer was pleased with the bundled parts for installing the disk in the 3.5" compartment.

As with all the devices discussed above, including external devices, this includes support for splitting into large sectors by 4KB. The type of flash memory used is MLC. The controller is the same as the previous model - SandForce SF-2281. Power consumption - 0.85 watts.

Now about those moments that are noticeably worse in this SSD than in previous SSDs for desktop PCs. Firstly - the volume. It is only 180 GB. Secondly, the speed of writing and reading: 520 and 550 MB per second, respectively (far from the characteristics of the same OCZ RVD3X2-FHPX4-240G. Non-sequential recording speed in 4 KB blocks is up to 80000 IOPS (far from being an outstanding result). The device is connected via SATA 6Gbit / s with an external bandwidth of 600 MB / s. The stated time between failures is up to 1.2 million hours. NCQ (SSD performance enhancing technology) and built-in data encryption are supported.

And finally, we will explain why this SSD disk noticeably loses to the “neighbors” by direct indicators. The fact is that Intel SSDSC2CW180A3K5 is positioned by the manufacturer as a game. And this means that, by definition, it cannot balance on the verge of performance and border on noticeable risks of resiliency.

Toshiba HDTSA25EZSTA

Rating: 4.6

And completing the second group of the SSD rating for PC is a very good production model from Toshiba, Japan At once we say that this model is positioned by the manufacturer as a game, with all the consequences - a relatively small volume, a modest non-sequential recording speed, etc., which is most often characteristic of external drives, but not inherently stationary.

This SSD drive also supports 4 KB sectors (this will not surprise anyone, but we have to say this), the type of memory used is MLC. The Toshiba TC358790 native controller is used, and this is pretty good in terms of subtle technical issues.

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

The stated time between failures is at the level of 1.3 million hours. The maximum operating temperature “not very much” is up to 65 ° C, the power consumption is 3.30 W.

Best Laptop SSDs

And completes the ranking from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ specific group of models of SSD, specially designed for portable computers. They put forward special requirements: “right” compactness, performance, good cooling, compatibility, and so on. Our experts have identified four interesting models in the mass of the market offer.

Plextor PX-512M6M

Rating: 4.9

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 portable computers. The manufacturer of this SSD is positioned as a game, as far as it is - judge from the immediate technical specifications and reviews, which we will also go through.

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

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

The storage capacity is “honest” 512 GB. The speed of writing and reading (declared by the factory) is quite ordinary - 440 and 520 MB / s, respectively. Non-sequential write speed is 80000 IOPS. Under the buffer allocated 768 MB.

The SSD drive is connected in two ways - via mSATA or “regular” SATA 6Gbit / s, but the external data transfer rate 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 shock resistance indicator. It is “standard” for such devices - 1500 G, and, unlike desktop PCs, it can have at least some significance for laptops. Time between failures - 1500000 hours. There is a built-in data encryption function.

Intel SSDMCEAW240A401

Rating: 4.8

Now let's talk in the ranking of another SSD drive from the famous electronics manufacturer - Intel. This "notebook" SSD is also claimed to be a game, and it means that it should at least have a decent resource with intensive use. To a large extent, all this is precisely so, and this is done at the expense of the volume and in part the speed of work. Although, the speed of modern SSDs is such that this question can seriously interest only very intent surveyors.

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

The volume of the drive "so-so" - 240 GB, but for the system more than enough. The average write and read speeds are 480 and 540 MB / s, respectively. Random write speed with 4-kilobyte blocks - 80,000 IOPS.

Connection via mini-SATA or full-fledged 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 impact resistance is below - 1000 G, but this is also an indicator that you need to consciously set a goal in order to physically damage the device, especially if it is in the notebook case. The stated time between failures is 1,200,000 hours. The power consumption is 0.14 watts.

Transcend TS512GMSA370

Rating: 4.8

Now let's touch on in our rating the budget model SSD for a laptop, which, by the main technical characteristics, is not particularly inferior to devices from famous and famous brands - Transcend.

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

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

As in previous models, NCQ support is implemented here, compensating for the shortcomings of the data exchange rate, increasing with time.

The manufacturer provides a warranty period of 36 months.

Kingston SMS200S3 / 120G

Rating: 4.7

And, finally, completes our rating, and at the same time the whole review, another model of solid-state drive for laptops from the "mass" manufacturer Kingston.

This is also an SSD hard drive with gaming potential, support for 4K sectors, built on an MLC flash memory architecture. Used popular controller SandForce SF-2241. The size of the SSD drive is 30x4x51 mm. Weight - the lowest in our review - only 7 g.

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

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

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.