topic Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD in Archive

What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:25:14 GMT

Hi ya,

Looking for an Intel 160gb SSD and found two which has quite a bit of a price different, wish someone can help.

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167024 Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH160G2R5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) and

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167032 Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH160G2K5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001157%2040000636%20600038488&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=636|20-167-024^20-167-024-TS,20-167-032^20-167-032-TS&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= Here is a comparison for your reference.

This SSD will be used on my desktop running on Win 7 i7.

Appreciate all the help i can get.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

RGiff — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:53:22 GMT

According to the part # one is the kit with mounting bracket and the other is just the drive.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:01:09 GMT

Thx for the reply Robert.

But it seems funny that is cheaper with the kit, isn't it?

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

RGiff — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:25:05 GMT

Yea But I went with the kit , Just make sure when you mount this drive , IT GETS Plenty of cooling.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:41:03 GMT

I'm surprised you suggest this SSD needs plenty of cooling. So in your experience, is runs warm? That surprises, me, since SSDs are always touted as using very little power, particularly at idle, below 1 watt. From what I've read, they only use the 5 V line and don't use the 12 V line found on SATA power connectors. I guess I better give mine a finger test to see for myself, I use only X-25M 80GB units.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

RGiff — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:39:32 GMT

I sugesst good cooling for longevity , anything that runs cool last longer and when someone spends $400.00 on a SSD , I would put a fan on it.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

RGiff — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:42:33 GMT

In my case I have 3 hard drives two WD RE 3 1 TB each and the Intel 160GB SSD , and I have it mounted two spaces above the RE3s so air can flow between them.So those Big Enterprize drives don't get my SSD hot.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:36:44 GMT

Thx for all the reply.

Just spoke to Intel tech support and was told they are IDENTICAL drive in just different packaging.

Just ordered mine from Newegg, cheaper than "Mainstream" and comes with $40 rebate from Intel (expires today tho).

Thx again for all the help.

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:01:04 GMT

I see Mr. Gifford, that explains that. But I will say that your temperature issues are not caused by the SSD, IMO.

Given that the installation kit fthy asked about, and I have myself, is a nice metal plate that contacts the surface of the SSD, that will act as a nice heatsink that HDDs simply do not have. That will help to cool the SSD in any situation.

fthy, I agree that the various model numbers that Intel uses for their SSDs have confused me in the past, but they seem to all be referring to different packaging and included extra's. Still, on the X-25M 80GB SSD's, there are "G2GC" and "G2GN" model numbers on the drives themselves, which leaves me wondering....

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:43:37 GMT

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:54:20 GMT

Oh, Ok, Ordering Information, that explains it... not.

Thanks for that redux!

Re: What's the different between "Mainstream" and non SSD

idata — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:39:28 GMT

Just an update on my question....

Spoken with Intel support and was told they are both the same SSD except for the packaging and mounting bracket.

Hope this help.