Christmas Dilemma (trivial "what-should-i-buy" thread)

[Cortexian]

So I got some money for Christmas and I'm trying to figure out what I should buy. Here are the options that I can't tear myself between and some pros and cons of each.

Option 1:
• 256GB SSD

Pros:
• My current OS/Programs installation is using 236GB of space, meaning that this option will allow me to retain pretty much all my games and programs on the SSD.
• Less work managing software locations in the long-run.
• I use my computer A LOT.

Cons:
• Pretty much expends all the money I've collected at Christmas, and then some.

Option 2:
• 128GB SSD
• Airsoft Helmet and other goodies

Pros:
• Allows me to get some additional airsoft stuff while retaining some money for later.
• Completes my latest airsoft kit for the most part.

Cons:
• I don't airsoft as much as I would like, not NEARLY as much as I use my computer.
• Less storage space for boot drive, going to have to pick and choose what games and apps I install to the SSD.


Suggestions?

[Patrickssj6]

Option 2,
Boot drive OS with SSD, Games on HDD. You don't need every game to be on the SSD...also it really depends on what game. Some games have basically no difference between SSD or HDD.

They are overpriced anyway, so spend the rest of the money on other goodies and have fun with them until prices lower.

[BobtheGreatII]

Same as post above me.

Use SSD for boot and misc programs.

Use HDD for games/movies/music/etc.

I have a 64gb SSD (OS), a 1tb HDD (games/programs) and a 500 gig HDD (music/movies/pictures). I haven't had any problems with this setup.

[PenGuin1362]

SSD's also have a notoriously short life span. Much shorter than regular hard drives anyway. So they aren't really good for storing anything valuable on. I did the same thing as Bob, 64gb SSD just for the OS and everything else is on a SATA III 1TB HDD. Really as an average computer user the only benefit I see to having a solid state is for the OS. Maybe if you use UDK or other intense development programs too those could go on there.

[jcap]

Short life span? What? What shitty SSDs are you using?

[InnerGoat]

Something with OCZ on it probably. Go with option 2

[BobtheGreatII]

Yeah... I haven't ever had a problem with mine... had it over a year now. Pretty sure normal HDD die faster... but I haven't ever had that problem either.

I have a kingston SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139415

I even broke the connections off the back in the first week. They sent me a brand new one no problem. Couldn't be happier.

[Cortexian]

Well, this is ME we're talking about. I'm not exactly computer illiterate. I won't have issues installing other programs to another drive if I run out of room, I guess I'll go with Option 2.

[PenGuin1362]

Something with OCZ on it probably. Go with option 2

Actually...yeah -_-, have yet to have any problems with it though. perhaps I over exaggerated there, it's not months short, but they've been known to fail sooner than normal HDDs. I've seen it first hand in the field, when working with both and always see more problems with the solid state over the regular hard drives.

Either way, for you I still don't see the need for anything bigger than 128GB. Unless you like to transfer monstrous amounts of data the SSD coupled with a regular one will do just fine

[Cortexian]

Yeah space isn't an issue for me since I have an 8TB RAID-5 setup. Non-critical stuff can be installed to a directory on there.

I've gone with Option 2 and purchased a 128GB Crucial M4. Got a 3 year IPR since this is going to be my boot drive, if something goes wrong with it I take it in and they get me a new one with no questions asked. In addition to the usual "if a product gets discontinued we'll give you something better" stuff as well.

Going to order my airsoft helmet setup soon as well.

Thanks for the enlightening opinions guys!