Windows 7 - SSD drive?

would anyone know how much faster the SSD drive OCZ 240GB Vertex %-wise than a regular HD? i've heard it is very fast. it is fairly expensive $400 also. and does anyone have one ? and would they recommend it? on another topic; i'm going to buy windows 7 64-bit home, from this store , they sell it for only $100, while another store sells it for $290. but i know that place i'm going to buy it from is a honest, reputable store. (the $100 one.) which should store i buy from? thank you

If you only want the extra speed, and have no intention of using all 240GB it's possible to get a smaller SSD and spend 2x less $$ with the same read write speeds. Personally I wouldn't need more than a 120GB for the C drive/OS partition. Maybe someone can comment on model specifics...

I can't answer your query on a new SSD so I'll leave that for the experts.

As for Windows, I would imagine the price you pay is determined by the version you choose.

I'm fairly certain the $100 version of Windows is an OEM DVD, whereas the $290 version will be a retail DVD.

An OEM version of Windows is tied to the computer it is first installed on and the EULA dictates that the software cannot be transferred to another computer. Also, Microsoft do not offer support for OEM software, you get that from the vendor who sold you the software.

A retail version of Windows can be transferred to another computer providing it is removed from the previous one first. Microsoft do offer support for the retail software.

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer

EULA - End User License Agreement

Theres also a Upgrade version of Windows 7 thats around $120.

Its exactly the same as the full Retail version, except you must owna qualifying copy of a previous version of Windows.
It too can be moved to any other PC, provided its only installed and activated on 1 PC at any time.



YES a SSD is a huge difference from a spinning HD, and the best single performance upgrade you can make.


With SSDs, the most commom practice is using a smaller SSD for Windows and all your programs.
Then, on a regular HD store all your other DATA. Music, Videos, Pictures etc.
Even Games for that matter.
This gives you the best of both worlds.
A huge performance boost for Windows and Apps that gain lots of benefits from the SSD.
And, lots of Storage space on the mechanical drive for things which do not really benefit much from the extra speed.



I would recommend at least a 64GB or even 80GB SSD. Just keep Windows and you programs on it.

I ran a 40GB for a long time, and while it can be enough room, it can start getting cramped really quick.
Once you get used to a SSD, you'll not want to run Windwos on a spinning HD ever again.

Any SSD makes a huge difference. And it's because the random access time to any file on the hard drive is super fast. Most standard mechanical hard drives average 15ms or so to get to any particular piece of data on the hard drive. So, if you have a file that is heavily fragmented, the 15ms access for each piece of that file can really add up. Now, an SSD on the other hand can access anything, in any location on the drive in about 0.1ms. This makes a huge difference in loading speeds.

Benefits of my SSD

• Silent
• Faster Bootup and Shutdown times
• No need to defrag
• Apps and Games launch almost instantly
• virus scans and malware scans finish in about 2 minutes

Here are various versions of Windows 7 Home Premium from a reliable dealer:

Newegg.com - Software, Operating Systems, Home

OEM 64 bit is $100; this would include only the 64 bit disc and would be restricted to the hardware on which it is first installed. Microsoft support not included.

Retail version is $190. This includes 2 discs: 32 bit and 64 bit. This can be installed as many times as you like, but only on 1 machine at a time (not restricted to original hardware). This appears to be the "full" version. Microsoft support included, not that it means much.

Microsoft also sells a retail "upgrade" version, normally for a price between the above 2, but I don't see it currently available at Newegg.

You certainly DON'T need the "full" retail version if you own XP or Vista.

To answer the speed difference in real terms when you go to open Photoshop with a spinner it's a grab your cup of coffee take a careful sip cause it's hot then look for the remote and change the channel cause the station you were watching is now cartoons turn back and wonder how and why all those people warrant credits........man this isn't the end of a major movie then take another sip and spill it on yourself as you're shocked that the program is finally loaded.
With the SSD go right to spilling your coffee cause you blinked as you began reaching for the coffee and damn if it didn't load as you scream as the coffee landed in a sensitive area and out of joy for the move finally to a SSD!

The performance advantage of an SSD is mainly in the access time. On average it is about 150 times faster than a spinning disk (0.1ms versus 15ms).

Data transfer rates are 3 to 4 times faster than with spinning disks.

As was said before, for the OS you really do not need 240GBs. A 60 ot 80GB SSD should suffice. I have 4 SSDs of that size and none is more than 50% full. I did, however, move my user data to the HDD.

If we are talking about a laptop with only one disk bay, the situation is a bit different because the SSD has to also contain the user data. Here it will depend on how much user data you have. On one of my laptops I installed a 90GB SSD and I have plenty of space left. I did though move some of my big video files to a 32GB stick.

The OCZ Vertex is a good choice. I have 3 (plus 2 Intels). Make sure you read the user comments on Newegg. There is a couple of specific models that have problems. For the OS, you can pick a Vertex2 model - even if you have Sata3 ports. They are cheaper and there will be no impact on OS performance. Reason is because the OS operates with 4K and 8K blocks and the transfer rate of those is well served at the Sata2 speeds.

PS: Just saw this - it is a good deal and Crucials are excellent: Best deals of the day

throw away any doubts about price! Ssd's are epically fast!

When the windows animation starts on start up, the 4 balls appear and then my computer is at desktop! If the was no bios posting and what not I'd recon boot to windows would be less than 5 seconds!

I have a corasir force 3 120gb and love it! I shall buy another once my rig is fully finished!

There is no comparing my old 250GB HDD to my Vertex 3 240GB. Like night and day.
7, all apps and games are on it. Windows boots in seconds (if startup animation was disabled then even faster). Games load in seconds. Everything loads in few seconds. Reads and writes are blazing fast. No stuttering, waiting at all.
Only thing is price (ouch!).