SSD Media Math - Cheapest and cost per GB

[kevin holmgren]

SSD Media Math

My awesome Bomb Squad rep James, wrote up the math so I can figure out which SSD is the best deal; price wise. I also prefer to have MORE smaller units, just in case ONE 256GB SSD fails, I would still have other 64GB cards to use. But not sure its worth $730 more; since I already have one 64GB SSD.


Here’s the a la carte SSD Breakdown

• • REDMAG 1.8" SSD 64GB - $950 – equates to $14.84 per GB
  • REDMAG 1.8" SSD 128GB - $1,800 – equates to $14.06 per GB
  • REDMAG 1.8" SSD 256GB - $3,200 – equates to $12.50 per GB

And here’s the 4-pack SSD Breakdown

• REDMAG 64GB (4-PACK) - $3,250 – equates to $12.70 per GB **Plus you get a $30 waterproof case with anti-static foam padding**
  64GB card = $802.50 ($3,210/4 = $802.50 (subtracting $30 case))
  To get 256GB with 64GB cards = $3,210.00

$730.00 MORE -- increase in price between buying 256GB of DATA in 64GB cards versus 256GB (That saving is almost enough for one 64GB SSD)

• REDMAG 256GB (4-PACK) - $9,950 – equates to $9.72 per GB **Plus you get a $30 waterproof case with anti-static foam padding**
  256GB card = $2,480.00 ($9,920/4 = $2,480 (subtracting $30 case))

And here is the link to the media section of our online RED store. - http://www.red.com/store/media


Some questions:

1. Anyone know of the long term failure rate? I would assume being SSDs, they are very good. But they DO have a expiration date from what I understand.
2. Does anyone see any other reasons to pay $730 more to get 256GB on ONE card rather than FOUR 64GB cards?
3. Based on this math, I will buy a FOUR pack of 256GB SSDs, and will sell them at my cost ($2,480.00 + shipping (to me, then to you and insurance, plus paypal fees or Square fees)
-- ANYONE INTERESTED IN MY OTHER three 256GB cards?

 

[Mike Tiffee]

I'm looking to split a 4pack. 1 card only for now.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Nice breakdown but keep in mind, cost per GB isn't the sole criteria for making your choice. Unless you are doing very long interviews, do you want to risk all your media on one card? And, if you fill it up, do you want to be down for the time it takes to offload it safely? There is no perfect answer but FWIW, I opted for the 4-pack of 64G mags, which seems to be a pretty good middle of the road approach.

 

[kevin holmgren]

thanks for your comment Terry;
I totally agree on having more smaller cards, but I also have to consider the extra $730 bucks it costs to have it on smaller cards, plus I would have to manage more smaller cards. I will go to soCal soon, but didn't want to bring my Scarlet, because I only have one 64GB card, so would rather have one big card for going shooting as I travel. But yes, that does put me at risk if something happens to that one card. I would think its inevitably about a balance. So I have one 64, then add a 256, then the next would be another 64...

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Roll "long time"

Roll "long time"

Obviously we all have different preferences. That said, I love working with the 256GB RedMags. Why?

1) I can swap mags at the most convenient times
2) I can start a copy and walk away for 40 to 60 minutes rather then having to shuffle cards every 12-15 minutes
3) Long roll times for concerts and other live events
4) Can put off data management until after wrap when on set downloading is difficult or we're short staffed

VMMV.

Cheers - #19

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Obviously we all have different preferences. That said, I love working with the 256GB RedMags. Why?

1) I can swap mags at the most convenient times
2) I can start a copy and walk away for 40 to 60 minutes rather then having to shuffle cards every 12-15 minutes
3) Long roll times for concerts and other live events
4) Can put off data management until after wrap when on set downloading is difficult or we're short staffed

VMMV.

Cheers - #19

I think the ideal solution is 2 4-packs of 256G cards! :tongue_smilie: Oh, the pain!

 

[kevin holmgren]

Great, thanks for the quick responses. I got the requests and ordered the SSDs.

Again, it will be nice to have a mix of cards for different uses. Looking forward to being able to do longer takes and have to carry less. (don't need my SSDs, case, or SSD Station)

 

[David Bourla]

Also very curious about the life expectancy of these ssd's. Are smaller cards more stable?

 

[kevin holmgren]

I don't know if they are more stable or not. I would assume more parts, even not moving makes them more likely to fail, but I think we are talking VERY small numbers differences. So I would think that 64 is just as likely to fail as 256, but of course 64 is smaller and ALL four of 64s would have to fail, than one 256, yet, the 256 is cheaper per GB and can record much more. So Its not the individual failure I would be concerned about. Also, not even sure if they couldn't be repaired too.

Found this link: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=611769

Start reading the guys when he says "I'll answer them in reverse" and then gets technical. Great short read.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

256GB SSD's are the only way to fly, IMO... Best $$/GB ratio and when you buy/split a 4-pack, they make a heck of a lot more sense than spending $1800 each on the 128GB SSD's...

Of course, I have to face reality and admit that not everyone can drop $2400+ on each piece of media. Sometimes the budget means you have to make due with a couple 64GB cards and keep them rotating. Fortunately, the SSD's seem pretty economical to rent in markets where there's a bunch of them around. I get a lot more requests for renting my SSD media than the cameras themselves. Anyway, I don't rent my stuff out anymore, but that's another story.

 

[Rob Anderson]

Here's what I did:

- Received x1 64 GB mag with the Scarlet pack.
- Bought a x4 pack of 64 GB mags and sold x2.
- Bought a x4 pack of 256 GB mags and sold x2.

That leaves me with x2 of the 256 GB mags and x3 of the 64 GB mags. I now use the 64 GB mags for family footage, casual carry shoot for fun work, and the 256's are dedicated for paying projects. Less pointless wear and tear and risk on the small cards, more fun shooting and small yields.

That combination, give or take a card or two, really fits the bill nicely. I'm satisfied with the combination and I think I've got what I need covered for now.