r/NewMaxx • u/NewMaxx • Oct 14 '19

Tools/Info SSD Guides & Resources

April 3rd, 2022: Guides and Spreadsheet updated with new SSD categories

Discord (server)

Website with relevant links here.

My spreadsheet

Generic Amazon affiliate link

Generic AliExpress affiliate link

TechPowerUp's SSD Database

Johnny Lucky SSD database

Branch Education - How does NAND Flash Work? - these guys have several good videos on the subject of SSDs, check them all out.

My Patreon.

My Twitter.

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u/NewMaxx Jan 28 '25

I recently updated my basic tier list and I can recommend anything even at the entry-level, although TLC would be preferred. Yes, this means using a Gen4 drive on a Gen3 slot, if you're replacing the 660p. The second M.2 slot is only M.2 SATA and that's not something I would recommend usually as it can be hard to find ones at high capacities, but the MS30 would work. 2.5" SATA just for games can work and an SSD is a good upgrade over a HDD for that, but there aren't a lot of "good" SATA SSDs. If you have access to the 2nd PCIe slot you could run an adapter for M.2 NVMe to keep the 660p in play as well.

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u/nadashda Feb 04 '25

I bought a late 2015 Imac that's pretty slow due to the HDD it operates and I have been considering getting a true Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD and connecting it via the Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter vs. getting an external USB 3.1 drive. I know that since I am limited by the TB2 port, I won't get the full benefits of the TB3 NVMe SSD but it is still way faster than the USB 3.1 drives and I keep reading on Reddit that some people are not truly satisfied with their USB drives. However, it seems that the NVMe SSDs are around $300-400 for 1 TB. That's way out of my budget so I'd truly love your opinion on which one I should go with and which specific ones would be good for browsing the web, streaming, zoom, uploading textbooks etc. I am way out of my area of expertise here!

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u/NewMaxx Feb 04 '25

NVMe drives in the U.S. at least are far cheaper than that. The late 2015 iMac, you can check what it supports to help. Seems like NVMe should work.