1.8" v 2.5" SSD

[hkhan1989]

Quick Q guys, As the title says, what is the difference between 1.8" and 2.5" SSD for a computer, not laptop, as the price difference is significant, a SSD will out perform any HDD so if it is about one performing better than the other, i truly have no idea when it comes to SSD.

Any information between the two would be grateful, its hard to find info about it too.

[Funkstar]

You are likely to pay a premium for 1.8" SSDs simply because they are smaller. Less are made, so prices go up. Also, to get the same capacity in a smaller form factor they are going to have to use higher density, more expensive memory chips.

Only buy a 1.8" drive if you really have to. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the 1.8" equivalent in someones range performs worse than the 2.5" model.

[Infinite]

They are also crazy small. You will find it difficult to find any sort of mount for them. They would probably be just hanging in mid air from a sata/power cable.

[hkhan1989]

Hi, thanks for your replies, but i think you have understood the question wrong, both of you, i think its the way i posted the question (it was late).

I was asking what is the difference, because everywhere i look, i see the 1.8" SSD (80gb) cheaper than an 80gb 2.5" SSD.

FOR EXAMPLE

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/80GB-...ite-70MB-s-OEM

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/80GB-...-s-Write-speed

It would have made sense if the 1.8" was more pricey than the other, but it isnt, plus i have actually seen the 1.8" SSD (same one) for around £150, which is not bad at all. My question is, why would i pay more for the 2.5" SSD if it does the exact same thing?

[gagaga]

There's three big differences:

1. Size
2. Power supply - 2.5" drives are 5v so can be operated off molex->sata adapters. 1.8" drives are 3.3v so need a true SATA power cable (with 4 colours - 3.3v is usually orange)
3. Interface - 2.5" are standard SATA, 1.8" are microSATA (plus see point 2).

Your laptop will take either/or - they are not inter-changeable so make sure you get the right one.

*EDIT: oh, desktop not laptop - you'll need an adapter like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SATA-to-Micro-...3286.m63.l1177) for a desktop. I have one with an Intel 1.8" and it works great.

[oolon]

Hi, thanks for your replies, but i think you have understood the question wrong, both of you, i think its the way i posted the question (it was late).

Apples and oranges there I am afraid, if you look carefully one those drives is an INTEL G1 and one is an G2. The G2 is based on 32nm and the G1 on 40nm chips. Intel has used this introduction to cheapen the price which is why the G2 is cheaper. I am sure when intel bring out a G2 X18-M it will be a similar price.

The G2 is much the better drive supporting TRIM its cheaper to unless you want the smaller size get the X25-M G2.

However I would also like to post in support of infinite, as they are right. Inside the board inside the X18 (G1) is the same as the X25 (G1) which is why you do not see 160GB X18 drives as there is not the enough space for the chips. What you have seen as the difference between two technology generations.

Once again get the X25-M G2 its the best drive on the market.

Edit: I didn't realise about the different connectors, my point does still stand I believe it is the same board.

[hkhan1989]

There's three big differences:

1. Size
2. Power supply - 2.5" drives are 5v so can be operated off molex->sata adapters. 1.8" drives are 3.3v so need a true SATA power cable (with 4 colours - 3.3v is usually orange)
3. Interface - 2.5" are standard SATA, 1.8" are microSATA (plus see point 2).

Your laptop will take either/or - they are not inter-changeable so make sure you get the right one.

Hi, thanks for your quick reply, however it is for a desktop, not a laptop, for mounting purposes i would probably just duck tape it somewhere, but the issue is with the 3 points you have stated, i do not see anywhere on the items listing stating microSATA or anything.

I am looking for the "Intel X18-M 80GB 1.8" SATA Solid State Drive"

[oolon]

Seriously get the gen 2 drive its much better, you can get 3.5 to 2.5 adapters easily. Duck tape gets nasty after a while.

[hkhan1989]

oolon, thanks for you replies, they were very helpful, but also very confusing, you seem to know your stuff, and when it comes to SSD's... i clearly don't.

I cant even seem to find a Gen 2 one, information on SSDs seem to be so hard to find on google. If you could possible link to like where i can buy one of some sort, i would be grateful. Im looking, but i cant seem to tell the difference between the two. If i enter "Intel X25-M G2" in google shopping, aka froogle, i get no results.

Google gave me this results/benchmarks, seems promising, but is it worth the extra price? I don't know because i cannot seem to find any pricers for this item.

[oolon]

Have a read of this.

You can see the generation in the model number, you already linked to one in your post. However here is the link on scan. I would like to point out Scan have this is in stock and its there forum.

The 2.5 G2 you linked from the scan site
SSDSA2MH080G2C1
SSDSA = SSD
2 = 2.5"
MH = MLC
080 = 80 GB
G2 Generation 2

The 2.5 G1 you linked from the scan site
SSDSA2MH080G1
SSDSA = SSD
2 = 2.5"
MH = MLC
080 GB
G1 Generation 1

The 1.8 G1 drive you linked from a different site.
SSDSA1MH080G1
SSDSA = SSD
1 = 1.8"
MH = MLC
080 = 80GB
G1 = Generation 1

Just for completeness a 2.5 G1 X25-E drive 32GB
SSDSA2SH032G1
SSDSA = SSD
2 = 2.5"
SH = SLC
032 = 32GB
G1 = Generation 1

[hkhan1989]

Thanks for your time, i showed you a link to the external site to show you what i meant about the 1.8" difference between 1.8" and 2.5", my first link examples where totally wrong, as they were both 2.5" examples, but, seen as though 2.5" is my preferred size, and thanks to you info, SSDSA2MH080G2C1, seems to be the best choice.