NVMe upgrade choices

[mintd]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to do a quick storage upgrade on a new laptop (currently has 64GB eMMC).

I'm considering going with either 128GB or 256GB and was wondering what might be better brands/products to go for?

I've seen brands such as Patriot, Integral, Transcend and Silicon Power, and wondered which you have had the best experiences with and can recommend?

Here's some products I've found:
128GB:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patriot-P300-1 ... 0822Y6N1C/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disque-Dur-SSD ... 08439S856/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-128G ... 07CXC32T2/
256GB:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicon-Power- ... 07ZH6QR8Q/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patriot-256GB- ... 082BWY2C2/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Integral-256GB ... 09P58BJ2L/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-NVMe- ... 0BBWH7DBT/

Are there any good websites where you can compare components (e.g. NVMe's) easily?

Any advice much appreciated!

[AndyMH]

I've had a patriot 512GB nvme (replaced with a 1TB crucial) and several kingston SSDs, no problems.

[mintd]

I've had a patriot 512GB nvme (replaced with a 1TB crucial) and several kingston SSDs, no problems.

Great, thanks very much AndyMH!

[mintd]

I was wondering if 128GB is fine for average usage?

[mintd]

Has anyone had any experience with those other brands ([Patriot], Integral, Transcend and Silicon Power)?
Any advice on choosing and specific product/model recommendations for 128GB/256GB? Thanks!

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I read from several sources last night that SSDs prices rose since September last year and will continue to rise by or through the second quarter of this year by as much as 30-50% (depending on the source) so now is the best time to be buying SSDs.

Stick with TLC drives and avoid QLC drives whenever possible to get the best write life and longest warranties.

I suggest buying the largest size you can comfortably afford, both to get increased warrantied write life and to accommodate future expansion of space requirements.

Sabrent is my brand of choice anymore now but they do cost more (keep in mind you usually get what you pay for; I buy them primarily because they carry 8TB drives). Crucial has had a good reputation over the years as a good budget brand.

Stay away from Samsung; they have been releasing drives buggy as a flop house bed the past few releases. They used to be my drive of choice but their drive and so called Customer "Service" quality have plummeted recently.

[mintd]

I read from several sources last night that SSDs prices rose since September last year and will continue to rise by or through the second quarter of this year by as much as 30-50% (depending on the source) so now is the best time to be buying SSDs.

Stick with TLC drives and avoid QLC drives whenever possible to get the best write life and longest warranties.

I suggest buying the largest size you can comfortably afford, both to get increased warrantied write life and to accommodate future expansion of space requirements.

Sabrent is my brand of choice anymore now but they do cost more (keep in mind you usually get what you pay for; I buy them primarily because they carry 8TB drives). Crucial has had a good reputation over the years as a good budget brand.

Stay away from Samsung; they have been releasing drives buggy as a flop house bed the past few releases. They used to be my drive of choice but their drive and so called Customer "Service" quality have plummeted recently.

Thank you very much Lady Fitzgerald
That's interesting (though not unexpected) with the SSD prices rising!
Is it easy to determine which NVMe drives are TLC (and tenderly loving)?
What do you think about Patriot, Integral, Transcend and Silicon Power (also WD and Kingston)? Any experience with those or preferences?
Thanks again!

[grndplane]

It looks like your paying more to get the smaller drive. I run a 1tb, and will soon up it to 2tb.

https://www.amazon.com/WD_BLACK-SN850X- ... r=8-1&th=1

[jonathands]

I was wondering if 128GB is fine for average usage?

I think you'll regret getting 128gb even for regular usage, I struggle with a 250gb for my main drive, I'd say if you are an average user choosing a larger drive over one which is the highest end would be more sensible idea... unless you can get both

[mintd]

It looks like your paying more to get the smaller drive. I run a 1tb, and will soon up it to 2tb.

https://www.amazon.com/WD_BLACK-SN850X- ... r=8-1&th=1

Looks good with the WD, thanks grndplane.

[mintd]

I was wondering if 128GB is fine for average usage?

I think you'll regret getting 128gb even for regular usage, I struggle with a 250gb for my main drive, I'd say if you are an average user choosing a larger drive over one which is the highest end would be more sensible idea... unless you can get both

Sound advice, thank you jonathands. Will go for a larger capacity drive

[DisturbedDragon]

I would suggest https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-MZ-V7S ... 230&sr=1-5

[mintd]

I would suggest https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-MZ-V7S ... 230&sr=1-5

Thanks DisturbedDragon
That's a nice NVMe, actually have it on another system.
I'm just looking for a smaller (around 256-500GB) and cheaper NVMe for a low-cost 11.6 inch screen laptop/netbook I have (as it only has 64GB eMMC).
Any suggestions much appreciated

[manyroads]

FWIW. IMHO more space is better than less space. Check your hardware vendor support for recommendations. Customer reviews can be found on sellers sites such as amazon, etc. Numerous websites offer reviews including:
https://www.tomsguide.com/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews
https://www.techspot.com/reviews/
https://www.pcworld.com/article/1369330 ... -2023.html

If you need more you can always do an Internet search to find them.

[mintd]

FWIW. IMHO more space is better than less space. Check your hardware vendor support for recommendations. Customer reviews can be found on sellers sites such as amazon, etc. Numerous websites offer reviews including:
https://www.tomsguide.com/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews
https://www.techspot.com/reviews/
https://www.pcworld.com/article/1369330 ... -2023.html

If you need more you can always do an Internet search to find them.

Thanks manyroads.
Appreciate the recommendations for websites with reviews. Was just wondering if anyone on here had any personal experience/recommendations for specific products (and generally which brands are good to go with).
Seems like Samsung, Sabrent and Crucial are coming up top so far

[manyroads]

FWIW. I stick with names I have heard of before. Off-brands have regularly been a disappointment. I use reliable review sites simply because it's impossible to keep up with the changes in the industry and know who's who in the zoo....

[Joe2Shoe]

I always use Crucial, WesternDigital & Intel SSDs (whatever variety), with a 5-year warranty.
I also use several 2TB NVME 2280 M.2 SSDs inside USB enclosures for backup. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck.