SSDs Suited for Video and Photo Editing?

Lilliteratebeginner on 05/11/2024 - 08:46
Last edited 05/11/2024 - 10:45 by 1 other user

Hey everyone, I hope this question hasn't already been covered - apologies if I missed a similar topic in my search. I've been finding plenty of recommendations for laptops and computers for video editing, but I'm specifically looking for advice on SSDs.

I'm seeing a lot of deals right now for SSDs (both internal and external), but I'm not sure what to look for when choosing one. Here's my use case: I mostly work with footage from a Sony A7IV and occasionally from a Canon R5 (maybe 2-3 times a year for major events). My setup is a MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

I'll be transferring data often, and this SSD will be my primary drive for editing. File transfers* can get quite large, up to 250-300GB at a time. Since this work is all volunteer, supporting a local nonprofit that means a lot to me, I'd really love a budget-friendly option that can still handle my needs. For example, I'm seeing 2TB SSDs for around $150, but I'm unsure what the trade-offs might be.

Could anyone explain what to look for in an SSD for my needs, and what might be the "catch" with these affordable options? I'd also appreciate any advice on using SSDs for family photos storage and the rare use of Windows/Linux VMs. I'm happy to buy enclosures if needed, and I'm in no rush to purchase anything.

Thank you!

Computing Apple Computer Computer Component Laptop SSD

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 05/11/2024 - 10:02

    I asked Perplexity AI for SSDs that perform via TB4: SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 read/write 3000/2500MB/s, OWC Envoy Pro FX 2,800Mb/s. Cheaper drives are slower. My Samsung T7 rates as read/write 1,050/1,000 MB/s; haven't done an actual test. Samsung T9 is twice as fast for double the price. I suggest searching for online reviews applicable to your use case.

  • Carussell on 05/11/2024 - 10:18

    Been using Samsung T7 - No issues

    • sumyungguy on 05/11/2024 - 10:23

      Are you doing NLE from your T7? I reckon mine would be too slow for that use case.

      • Carussell on 05/11/2024 - 16:54

        I use Adobe Premier Pro on Apple iMac 27" (Intel i7, Radeon Pro, 24gb Ram, original internal drive replaced with Samsung T7). Never had any performance issues.

        • sumyungguy on 05/11/2024 - 20:28

          T7 is a USB-C drive, how have you connected it to your SATA interface?

          • Carussell on 06/11/2024 - 09:26

            @sumyungguy: Not sure, sent my imac off to an approved Apple service centre.
            They charged me for a Samsung T7, usb3.2 transfer cable and labour.
            It works and is very quick.

            • sumyungguy on 06/11/2024 - 09:29

              @Carussell: The HDD in my 27-inch iMac died just weeks ago. I have it running on the blade SSD and was going to swap out the HDD but will now look more deeply into running from a T7 via USB

              • ATTS on 08/11/2024 - 09:51

                @sumyungguy: Noob q but

                How come the t7 transfer speed is not restricted to the usb speed?

                I think i read if connecting ssd internally it has faster speed than being connected via usb/ external case

                • sumyungguy on 08/11/2024 - 10:11

                  @ATTS: I haven't quite figured this out yet. Talking Fusion drives, the mechanical HDD is limited by the SATA bus speed and other owners report no significant performance boost uprgading to SSD. I think it's because in a Fusion drive the HDD plays a secondary role to the blade SSD. The model upgraded by @Carussell may have had only a SATA HDD so running a bootable T7 appears to have restored performance to better than original.

  • jono1971 on 05/11/2024 - 17:26
    +1

    I have the exact same MBP model/configuration as you do and I have purchased the Lacie 1TB Rugged Thunderbolt Drive and various Samsung T5’s & T7’s. The Lacie is super quick but fairly expensive. Samsungs are great value but they’re pretty slow. The latest option I’ve found is the best value and performance option of the lot. I bought a couple of Acasis Thunderbolt enclosures for around $80 to $90 each from Aliexpress and I just buy the best nvm ssd for the money that I can find at the time. With this combo I’m getting the same speed as the Lacie for a third of the price!

  • AndyC1 on 05/11/2024 - 19:37

    First find out which standard your internal interface is NVME PCI express 4 or 5 etc or USB 3.0 or 3.1 etc this way you know what hardware you need w.r.t. no use buying a PCI express 5 10K write if the you have a PCI express that maxes out at say 6K…

    Second check out the reviews and then check out the actual sustained throughput of the SSD.

    You need to match the drive to your hardware and get the fastest drive that the HW supports. I have a Samsung 980 Pro 1TB for the OS and a PNY CS2241 2TB for building apps & transcoding. The PNY CS2241 2TB was best bang for the speed when I bought it, where as the Samsung was the fastest drive when I bought it and paid for it……

    • jk82 on 06/11/2024 - 14:21

      "My setup is a MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD."

      • AndyC1 on 06/11/2024 - 18:43

        So what SSD H/W options are there for the MacBoom Pro version XYZ?

        • jk82 on 07/11/2024 - 11:10

          Thunderbolt 4

  • jk82 on 06/11/2024 - 14:21
    +1

    If you want a fast and reliable external SSD go with something like this for $299. Has good read and write speed - enough for video editing on your M1 macbook

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Samsung-Portable-Resistance-Resist…

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/samsung-portable-ssd-t7-s…

    if you want something cheaper, this will still work well for editing however copying your footage to it will be slower than the one above

    https://www.amazon.com.au/SanDisk-Portable-SDSSDE30-cable-pr…

    Another option is to buy an NVME SSD and then purchase an enclosure separately, similar to these deals which I'll link below, but note that due to the somewhat lack of quality of the enclosure and cables (depending on what you end up getting), and the fact that they are separate, it is more likely to have issues. And you're paying for a fast NVME drive which you're not using as you're gimping it with the slow enclosure.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/875235
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874727

    If you want blazing fast read / write speeds buy an NVME SSD like the one above and put it in an enclosure like this one below and ensure it's plugged directly into your thunderbolt/USB C port on your macbook

    https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/hard-drives-&-ssds/enclo…

  • illiteratebeginner on 12/12/2024 - 10:32

    Hey all - sorry, life got in the way a little.

    Thank you all for chipping in and helping me in filling a knowledge gap! I have gone down the route of getting a T7 for the time being due to the Black Friday deals, however, I have my eye on the Volans enclosure and a couple of NVME drives to pick up when a deal makes itself available on boxing day or whenever.

    Have a safe and enjoyable holiday period, @jk82, @AndyC1 @jono1971 @ATTS @sumyungguy and @Carussell :)

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