I have just bought an Alienware m17x, with the 750gb 7200rpm hdd. I hear there are two hard drive slots, and was wondering if it would be significantly faster installing a 128gb boot drive, where I could get one from (and for how much), and if it is easy to install - I am not particularly computer minded.
Thanks,
David
You will most certainly get a performance boost by using an SSD instead of a spinner.
As for which is the best, it's all subjective and a search on Google would probably yield the best comparisons.
You might want to check out these tutorials.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System
Okay, thank you. And just as a side point, I ordered it with 16gb ram - will this offer a noticable speed boost?
The RAM won't improve your SSD performance, but it will improve your overall computing experience.
I don't have an SSD myself, but those that do have raved on here at the performance boost to their system.
What I would suggest is that you just install Windows and your applications on your SSD, and keep your old HDD for your personal data.
16GB of RAM will make no noticeable difference as compared to 8GB except in very special applications like CAD. But for the normal user this is a waste of money.
A SSD will make a BIG performance difference. I would recommend to look for an Intel, Corsair or Crucial M4. No idea what they cost in the UK, but in the US a 120GB SSD would sell for $110 to $150 if you look for offerings - e.g. from Newegg. A 60GB can be had for around $80 and that is plenty big for a normal Windows7 installation.
Installation of a SSD is dead simple. Transferring the OS is a bit more complex (the geeky way) but can be simple if you use the Paragon Migration Tool. See my tutorial that was linked above.
BTW: - you are right to go for the 128GB msize..
- I have my Windows7 OS on a 60GB SSD, and it soon fills up..
Okay, thanks for all your help, ill look into this. Just as a point of interest, what kind of speed boost does an SSD produce?
And is it possible to install, for example, all my applications onto the ssd, and will it make them substantially quicker?
Hard to describe. Everything comes up instantly. Boot time is 15 seconds. Here is an example in real time booting Windows 8 in Virtual Box - this is a visual, better than words: Start Win8 in vBox1.wmv - YouTube
Btw: all my desktop SSDs are 60GB with plenty of free space left. And I have a lot of programs installed - no games though. Of my 7 SSDs the biggest is 90GB and that's in a laptop.
Boot time is Fast with a capital F. As in, the Windows logo animation hasn't finished and I get the login prompt. Also say goodbye to reading tips on game loading screens
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