mSata SSD options for x220

[j27h]

Hi all!

I'm just choosing an mSATA SSD for my x220 (80Gb or greater) and that's what I've found:

Runcore T50     120Gb    320$

Renice X3         120Gb     300$

Runcore I50      120Gb     250$

OCZ Nocti         120Gb     250$

MyDigitalSSD    128Gb     210$

Intel 310             80Gb      180$

Someone has tried any of these SSDs (except the 310 that is proven to work)?

How they work in the x220? I'm concerned for the Sandforce reputation to cause BSODs (practically all but Intel 310 and MyDigitalSSD are Sandforce drives), any experience?

[orion9727]

runcores are good but cost alot.
there a niche drive.
you shoud look at the new ready boot models there alot cheaper.
i think that nocti is one but kinda high price.
your also picking to big of a drive.

[HiVolt]

Are there any SATA3 mSATA SSD's yet? Or is the mSATA slot even capable of SATA3?

[orion9727]

msata is sata 2 only and it a slower sata 2 normally.

there is a diskmaker that going to release a sata 3 msata but it useless because msata is caped at sata 2 even on new sandy bridge where the sata 0 port is sata 3.

there a msata 3 option for the mac air new one thats a candy stick design only fit a mac or mayby a ultrabook,special format.

a msata in a x220 will run slower then a 2.5 sata 2.
best to allways go full size drives they tend to be alot faster even more so on the randoms.
mac air huge downfall.

[kalahari_surfer]

The Runcore T50 is a mSATA SATA III available in 30GB, 60GB and 120GB.

I plan to install a 120GB mSATA SATA III in my X220.  The X220 arrives today but the Runcore mSATA will only arrive in a couple of days times.

[orion9727]

just so you all know sata 3 drives tend to run much worse in sata 2 interface then a sata 2 drive in a sata 2 interface.
very very true in the case of the sandforce.
runcores are great drives but sandforce has issues with bsod in sata 3.
big big reason sandforce was sold to a non ssd company.
for the x220 i would stick with the intel.
they have a good name and the x220 is limited to sata 2.
plus the intel is low power has a good tool box and intel driver now has trim.
the intel is also pretty cost effective as they are markeing alot of these new msata quick boot drives.

dont just look at seq speeds they really mean allmost nothing.
you really need to look at everything.

[kalahari_surfer]

@onion9727

I'm surprised that you say that the X220 is limited to Sata 2.  I've seen mentioned that it's NOT limited like the T61 and X61 are.

Yes, the Intel is a good deal but I want a laptop that will compete with the Ultrabooks.  I've had multiple Samsung Series 9 (all now returned) and came very close to buying more than one of the current Ultrabooks out there.

[j27h]

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kalahari_surfer wrote:

I'm surprised that you say that the X220 is limited to Sata 2.  I've seen mentioned that it's NOT limited like the T61 and X61 are.

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He means that x220 is limited to SATA II if you use the mSATA slot, the standard 2.5" slot is SATA III.

Don't know if it's possible to connect the mSATA to a SATAIII port in order to obtain a 600MB/s transfer speed... The Q67 has two SATA III ports, one is used fot the HD bay... The other? Maybe for the dock?

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orion9727 wrote:

just so you all know sata 3 drives tend to run much worse in sata 2 interface then a sata 2 drive in a sata 2 interface. very very true in the case of the sandforce.

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Why would you say that a SATA III drive connected through SATA II run worse than a SATA II drive? Isn't it simply running capped at SATA II speed? I've never read anithing about this, I'm interested!

[kennethxu]

@kalahari_surfer, would you mind to share your experience with Runcore T50 on X220? Thanks in advance.

[aikon]

Hello everyone,

I would like to upgrade my X220 and buy a mSATA SSD. The requred capacity is 60 GB. I have read a lot about many (too many...) issues with mSATA SSD's on Lenovo X220.. And I am really confused. I was considering Kingston MS100 series, 64 GB (because its cheap), but I've found on the board, that those SSD's are not compatible with X220. Then I found OCZ Nocti 60 GB, a little bit more expensive than kingston, but much faster. And then I saw a lot of posts on the board, that they are also not always compatible and cause BSODs.

So now I am really confused and don't know what to do. I've seen a lot of messages, indicating serious problems with SSDs (compatibility, stability of the system or even data loss!), which make me more confused. And what about the power consumption? Does the SSD drive affect the laptop runtime on battery? 

I really want to spend my money for a SSD mSATA drive But I can't choose a proper one..  So I would be grateful if someone of you could share your experience and give some advice. Thanks a lot!