My best Windows 7 computer -the one shown here has only a 120G SSD and I do very well with it. Cost less than $100 USD.
I've been using it since May of 2012 and it is doing very well.
My next (and last) computer will also use a small SSD and I will learn to live with it.
I use 32 bit on install with less than 4gb RAM which I think performs a little better. Of course with a higher end processor you'd want to up the RAM to match the performance or lose it.
I've never not been able to find a driver even if it's not supported for an OEM Clean reinstall. Most will be delivered by Windows Updates when you enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3). we can help you find any not on the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your model. They may be listed under Vista if it shipped with that.
Other tips for getting and keeping a perfect install are in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Newegg has some really good Black Friday deals on ssd drives right now, check them out before you buy.
I've converted a couple of older Dell lap tops to ssd, the only dell drivers I needed was chipset and wifi. I used Intel drivers for video and MS for the remainder. A ssd even makes Vista run pretty good.
FYI-
1. According to Samsung SSD TS-
Trying to clone a HDD System Image (Macrium Reflect...) to a SSD, will Only give you 10% Performance Gain!
2. I tried to install Win7 Pro 32-bit on my Dell laptop, but they Only had 64-bit drivers.
I wanted Pro 32-bit, because I could install all of my expensive old XP programs (Photoshop/Word/...).
BTW- I bought fully functional Win7 Pro 32-bit OEM Cheap on Amazon (not necessary to register, but no MS TS).
3. I unsuccessfully tried Samsung 840 Pro 256gb on my desktop, but had slow-down issues after all my apps were installed?-
I finally went to a Western Digital VelociRaptor HDD (10k rpm/64mb cache, and Too big for a laptop), and it is nearly as fast as my SSD.
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My conclusion for you to Easily boost your performance-
I'd clone Your present OS to an external HD (make Linux boot CD!), using free Macrium Reflect.
Install an inexpensive/Rock Solid-
Western Digital Scorpio Black WD2500BEKT 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Notebook Hard Drive Bare Drive
Then clone (Cold Start!) your old 5400rpm OS to it.
Scott it was not necessary to buy a new copy of Win7 in order to install 32 bit, as you are entitled to use eithe 32- or 64-bit with each license. You can get the latest official installer for your licensed version at Windows 7 Direct Download Links.
What I would do is use the other license elsewhere with your choice of 32- or 64-bit.
You'd also want to image to the external, not clone. Then apply the image with app's boot disk. However I would not bother if you don't already have a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which steps also apply to retail.
An SSD will always yield better performance. If not ask back here, try SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums and SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7
Thanks to all who chimed in, I now have enough information to go forward
As we say in La Quinta, California, "Muchas Gracias"
Kas:)
case closed(solved)
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