How to choose the right class of solid state drive for a new workstation

I am trying to configure a new Dell desktop workstation. It is very confusing. I presently  have a class 40 1 tb ssd boot drive.  The model 5810 is probably the one I will purchase. The choices for hard drives alone is mind boggling to me. My most intensive programs are CorelDraw and Photoshop. What is the difference between class 40 ssd and class 50 ssd drives? This is only the first of probably several questions so that I get what I actually need with some headroom but not buy options that are for more intensive use such as cad/cam. I occasionally will use Camtasia to create and alter videos. I am happy now with c": = 1 tb ssd and the same thing for D:. I have 2 four TB high end drives in raid 1 mainly for onboard backup. From the raid drive the important files go to thumbdrives or blueray or dvd.
Need -a- ClueRESEARCHERAsked:
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JohnBusiness Consultant (Owner)Commented:
Find out if your computer will take an NVMe SSD drive. If it will, get a Samsung 960 EVO 1 TB drive for the machine. This drive uses a 6 GBit/sec connection.

https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/solid-state-drives/ssd-960-evo-m-2-500gb-mz-v6e500bw/

I have that for my ThinkPad Laptop.

Here is the Classes definition. You want the top class if the Dell machine can use it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/8q1gvr/dell_ssd_classes/

Get a commercial drive (write cycle capability beyond the life of the computer) and there is no need for RAID so far as I can see.

Have a good external backup that you can disconnect when not in use (ransomware)
David FavorLinux/LXD/WordPress/Hosting SavantCommented:
As John suggested. Get the fastest + biggest SSD drive your budget supports.

You can always check Amazon using drive model number provided by Dell, to check/compare drive specs.

Or you can always call Dell + ask. Dell tech use to be stellar... last time I used them...
David Johnson, CD, MVPOwnerCommented:
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A 40 class is more than sufficient in your scenario. Spend the saved money on offline backup solution.  Because DELL will use the cheapest to them drives and separate them by classes you could be getting ADATA or Samsung (more likely a Toshiba)  drives all dell branded.

IMO a Class 50 SSD would be better used by a server that needs the IOPS being used by many users at  a time.

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JohnBusiness Consultant (Owner)Commented:
Thanks and good luck choosing your SSD
Need -a- ClueRESEARCHERAuthor Commented:
I definitely have the answer to my initial question. I have a related E-E procedure question that I would appreciate an Expert or Experts view on as far as "what is right and what is allowed".  Dell is interested in mainly making money on selling computers. That is fine, but I don't have very good luck in finding a person that can tell me what I really need without going overboard. I DO want some headroom but not to go crazy. The dilemma is: If I want to find an Expert HERE that will go to Dells website after the Expert knows my requirements and actually spec out the system I need based upon the initial model I want WITHIN what is considered a normal question  OR is it more proper for me to  offer to PAY an expert to do this for me? I do not want to be unreasonable in asking TOO much for what a normal person would expect for a monthly subscription.
JohnBusiness Consultant (Owner)Commented:
My most intensive programs are CorelDraw and Photoshop ....  I occasionally will use Camtasia to create and alter videos.

You can use the Live program here to find an Expert to help you.

I would look at this and suggest the following:

i7 CPU (a couple of hundred more than an i5 minimum but not overkill.
Memory: 8 GB should be enough but memory is not expensive. Go for 16 GB. My Lenovo Laptop has i7 / 16 GB.

Graphics:  I find on board Intel graphics to work just fine for all I do and do not spend money on special graphics cards.

Disk: 1 TB SSD as we suggested above. David points out that class 50 might be overkill but the difference between class 40 and 50 is largely the number of write cycles and if you think the new Desktop might go more than 5 years, you may wish the stronger drive. Class 40 should be fine - check the price difference.

The rest of the items you might purchase are not really expensive so be guided by what you want for the next 5 years
Need -a- ClueRESEARCHERAuthor Commented:
Thanks John for your Expert advice
JohnBusiness Consultant (Owner)Commented:
You are very welcome. I think you can pick your system from the above and good luck.
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