Thinking of going to SSD

I'm really thinking of making the jump to SSD.
I have my eyes on the OCZ Agility 2 60GB. (I have the current drive and additional 160GB drive to backup all my files, etc.) Space on the other drives is NOT an issue.

I'm using 42GB of 260 right now on my WD drive. I'd put the OCZ as my OS/Programs drive and data on all else. I'm really curious to see how fast it encodes video to this drive.

My questions... I've used Acronis and Ghost in the past. What version of these products do I need to clone my current OS/Program drive to the SSD?
From my research, firmware is EVERYTHING on these drives. What firmware should I be using? And I'm assuming I want this firmware flashed to the drive before I clone it, correct?

IF this is the wrong forum/subforum, mods please move as you see fit.
TIA!!

--daj

1. For Ghost, it depends on the OS. With Vista you can use Ghost12 or 14,for Win7 you need Ghost15. The latest version of Acronis (there is a free version) will do also.
2. If you buy a new OCZ, you need not worry ablout the firmware level. It will be shipped with a suitable level - even if it is not the very, very last. I would, however, recommend to go with a Vertex in lieu of an Agility.
3. If you clone the system to the SSD, you have to align the SSD (see here: SSD Alignment ) and you have to define an active partition. Once you are installed, you need to disable the automatic defrag (one never defrags an SSD). No other special settings are required.
If you are cloning a Win7 system, make sure there is no 100MB active boot partition. That would complicate things. If it is present on your current system, post back and we'll advise you.
4. There is an excellent OCZ Forum ( http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/fo...erstand-format. ). But their discussions may be at a much more detailed level than you care to know.

First off...thank you big time. That's why I asked.

1. I know I do not have Ghost that new. You mentioned a free version, can you point me in that direction (Name, link, google search term, etc.) This will be for my home, personal use PC not a business.
2. I've researched the specs...and $ per GB and performance, while the Agility does not score as well as the Vertex 2 in some categories, it is literally right there....and for the price, I think it's more of a value than the vertex.
3. I read somewhere to disable the auto defrag and you don't have to do that on an SSD. Was going to do that! I do not have that 100MB active boot partition on this PC. I do have 3 SATA drives and two optical SATA drives.. With the SSD I can get rid of one of those drives.
4. Thanks, I'll read up...

Again, I'm probably a few weeks away unless the steal of the century turns up on an SSD I'm looking at.

I put this off originally because Intel seemed to be the way to go...but they are damn pricey and it looks like OCZ caught up and surpassed them as an OS drive. I'd love to have the Crucial 6Gb/s HDD, but my bank doesn't flow like that...lol.

After reading this...let me post this question...
Do you think it just would be 100% easier to do a fresh Windows 7 install?
So I spend half a day or so installing it and getting my apps the way I like it...no big deal.

1. Free Paragon: Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Advanced Edition - Overview
2. I still would vote for the Vertex - and keep looking for deals at Newegg. The other day they had it for around $100. Subscibe to the Newegg daily feed. Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - that is a good one.
3. You do not have to disable defrag if you make a fresh Win7 installation. The installer disables it and it also does the alignment. But if you clone it, you are on your own.
4. I would definitely vote for a fresh install. Makes your life a lot easier. Make sure you physically disconnect all the HDDs. Else you will end up with a double boot configuration or at best with the MBR on another drive (e.g. the drive that is on the first mobo port) - happened to me, LOL.
5. I would highly recommend to create a user data partition seperate from the OS - on a HDD. You can either create it after the OS installation and move the folders (see details how to move the folders here, skip the partition creation part. Data Partition ), or you can create it before the installation and "Include" the folders into the library (just right click on the folders and you will see).

Gotcha...I have an account with CompUSA/TigerDirect/Circuit City through work that has pretty good pricing with my discounts.

The more I think about it...I think I'll do a fresh install...no biggie. I honestly don't do a lot with my home PC.

Thanks for your help and the great links!!!

You are welcome. Any time.