Large internal SSDs

[mevinyavin]

As someone with interest in the large-capacity SSD market, I just wanted to point out to those who may not be in the know that large SSDs have dropped to extremely low prices. Black Friday sales are not extremely low compared to usual sale prices, but they are lower.

2TB 2.5" drives are as low as $95, and I spotted 4TB for $270.
2TB https://smile.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-Internal-Compatible-Desktop-T253E2002T0C101/dp/B08GCKFZXS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=2tb&qid=1669644917&refinements=p_n_is_free_shipping%3A10236242011&rnid=2941120011&s=pc&sr=1-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb&th=1 (Select the AX2 model)
4TB https://smile.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-NAND-Internal-560MB/dp/B09FRRWVWX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=39QU3POWMY6T0&keywords=4tb&qid=1669645960&refinements=p_n_is_free_shipping%3A10236242011&rnid=2941120011&s=pc&sprefix=2tb%2Caps%2C1539&sr=1-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb&th=1

M2 drives are a bit more but also much cheaper than they were not that long ago. A number of 2TB name-brand drives are on Amazon for $120 - just search for them. 4TB costs more than the 2.5" - and I think I have seen cheaper than any price I spotted when looking around today. Certainly, they are not $270, but you can pay as little as $300 (again, just search for it on Amazon).

Obviously, these prices are for the older PCIex3 standard, but almost no one needs faster than they are (even the "slow" ones). The consensus in the tech world is that everyone can tell when upgrading from a HDD to an SSD, but you can't see the difference between a slow SSD (ones that run on SATA) and a fast one unless you are copying large files constantly. Even then, if you don't have a fast flash drive or an external SSD to do the copying from, the connection will limit you.

As always, PM me or post if you have questions or need clarification.

[Seeker]

Oh, that's much more affordable. This is good to know!

[mevinyavin]

2.5" 4TB Crucial on sale for $238. As you can see from my post above, this is the cheapest I've ever seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FRRWVWX

[mevinyavin]

2.5" 4TB Crucial on sale for $238. As you can see from my post above, this is the cheapest I've ever seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FRRWVWX

And today the M2 version is on sale for $250, so that even people without 2.5" slots can use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B25P44CL

[yesitsme]

yup camelcamelcamel.com keeps on snoozing based on alerts from a couple of years ago

[Ver hut gazugt]

And today the M2 version is on sale for $250, so that even people without 2.5" slots can use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B25P44CL

only if you have m2 slot on your mother board. If I had a choice between the two I would go m2 any day.

[mevinyavin]

only if you have m2 slot on your mother board. If I had a choice between the two I would go m2 any day.

I sincerely hope no one tries to buy any of these without knowing for a fact that it is compatible with their computers. But maybe that's naive...

[mevinyavin]

2TB 2.5" $86 (Timetec is a good brand, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.)
https://www.amazon.com/Timetec-Performance-Internal-Computer-Desktop/dp/B09QRQJTPN


Just saying: 3 years ago: 2TB HDD = $65. 2TB SSD = $230.
Last year: 2TB HDD = $68. 2TB SSD = $210.
Two weeks ago: 2TB HDD = $59. 2TB SSD = $98.
Today: 2TB HDD = $70 (only a quick look, though). 2TB SSD: $86.
[Above price comparison is only 2.5" drives. I would think those still buying HDDs for desktops would go for bigger capacities, but laptops max out at 2TB for HDDs as of the moment - at least 7mm ones. Also only good brands, not no-name Chinese stuff.]

[mevinyavin]

Re: the 1TB 2.5" deal posted on the main site. [OPINION]
Please don't buy it. Buy this instead for $43. The differences between 2.5" SSDs from legitimate companies are negligible for the average user, so don't waste your money.

Mushkin Element – 1TB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - 2.5 Inch - SATA III - 6Gb/s - 3D Vertical NAND Flash - 7mm – (MKNSSDEL1TB) ( $42.99)

[Darth1]

@mevinyavin I am looking to buy a 1TB M2 SSD do you have any recommendations? I am looking on b&h and am finding at around $50 from Crucial, Intel, and PNY. On Amazon I found Silicon Power for $45. Whats a good brand and a good price range?

[mevinyavin]

@mevinyavin I am looking to buy a 1TB M2 SSD do you have any recommendations? I am looking on b&h and am finding at around $50 from Crucial, Intel, and PNY. On Amazon I found Silicon Power for $45. Whats a good brand and a good price range?

If you need PCIe, this $46 seems to be the best value (ain't worth saving a dollar for a drive that is a GHz slower). Are you sure this is what your computer is compatible with? PM me with your model if you want to be certain.
https://www.newegg.com/mushkin-enhanced-1tb-tempest/p/N82E16820226968?Item=N82E16820226968&Description=1TB%20M2%20SSD&cm_re=1TB_M2%20SSD-_-20-226-968-_-Product

[mevinyavin]

M2 PCIE Gen 4 WD SN770 (!!). These drives are extremely fast (if your computer supports Gen 4, and don't assume it does), and compare favorably with Samsung's drives. Also, save 25% if you buy two.

$60. 1TB
$119. 2TB

All their drives are on sale but the slower drives are not that big of a deal (I can match them most days, though only a few dollars less and these have favorable warranties), but Gen 4 drives this cheap are rare.

[mevinyavin]

And today the M2 version is on sale for $250, so that even people without 2.5" slots can use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B25P44CL

4TB M2 PCIe Gen 3 Crucial drive: $220. Best price on 4TB drive that isn't SATA in ... ever. The price keeps dropping.
Crucial P3 4TB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT4000P3SSD8 ($349.99 $219.99)

[njmacman]

Hi Mayvinyavin. I am looking to upgrade my macbook air A1465 to an m2 SSD that could use the latest IOS. Which internal SSD should I choose? All very confusing to me, but I have replaced hard drive in my Imac before. Thanks.

[mevinyavin]

Hi Mayvinyavin. I am looking to upgrade my macbook air A1465 to an m2 SSD that could use the latest IOS. Which internal SSD should I choose? All very confusing to me, but I have replaced hard drive in my Imac before. Thanks.

Sorry, but I don't deal in mac upgrades. Apple deliberately makes it hard to upgrade. If you have done it before and you know what specifications it requires, tell me and I'll find you a good price, but otherwise, I don't know what it entails.

[mevinyavin]

2TB TeamGroup 2.5" SATA SSD is now $85. Wasn't that long ago that this was what 1TB SSDs cost...

TEAMGROUP AX2 2TB 3D NAND TLC 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive SSD (Read Speed up to 550 MB/s) Compatible with Laptop & PC Desktop T253A3002T0C101 ( $84.99)

[mevinyavin]

4TB M2 PCIe Gen 3 Crucial drive: $220. Best price on 4TB drive that isn't SATA in ... ever. The price keeps dropping.

4TB now $200.
Crucial P3 4TB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT4000P3SSD8 ( $199.99)

[aygart]

If my computer can use both PCIe and SATA, which should I choose?

[mevinyavin]

If my computer can use both PCIe and SATA, which should I choose?

Assuming an M2 slot compatible with both, getting a PCIe is a no-brainer. I would, however, choose a more sedate one rather than a blazing fast gamers one (almost regardless of the use case) because heat can be a problem.
Would need more detail to "paskin" for sure.

[yelped]

If my computer can use both PCIe and SATA, which should I choose?

PCIe for sure.

SATA 3 bus is maxed out at 600 MB.