Windows experience index hampered by SATA HDD's?

[HAVOC]

So my WEI score is 5.9
My 2 SATA HDD's are connected to my 6GB SATA ports on the MB. Is this the best score I could get with my hardware or will I need to install a SSD?

 

[pparks1]

You will only get a higher number with an SSD. I wouldn't focus too much on that number though. As long as your other numbers are higher, they indicate your hardware is working as expected. If you are satisfied with your hard drive performance, stick with your mechanical drives and don't worry about it. If you are not happy with your system performance, get yourself an SSD drive and you will see a noticeable performance increase.

 

[HAVOC]

My other numbers are fine 7.5 and 7.9
I don't see an issue with the hard drive performance. Just wondering if an SSD would be a big increase. I'm more likely to purchase another 6GB of RAM instead of the SSD anyways. I once had a laptop with a SSD and it was the slowest computer ever. That left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to a SSD.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You didn't have it configured properly, if it left a bad taste in your mouth....or you bought a cheap generic one with a poor controller. SSDs speed up the slowest component in your computer. WEI is utterly worthless in most cases, but you can see from your scores that the HDD is the slowest point. 5.9 is the best you will do with a mechanical drive.

However, don't upgrade because of your WEI scores. If you really need more memory for some unique reason, go that route. If you want to speed up your entire system, in every type of usage, get an SSD.

 

[pparks1]

My other numbers are fine 7.5 and 7.9
I don't see an issue with the hard drive performance. Just wondering if an SSD would be a big increase. I'm more likely to purchase another 6GB of RAM instead of the SSD anyways. I once had a laptop with a SSD and it was the slowest computer ever. That left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to a SSD.

Unless you have a very specific piece of software that wants more than 6GB of RAM, or you run a handful of concurrent VM's, I would always pick an SSD over moving from 6GB of RAM to 12GB of RAM.

I've never had anybody use an SSD in a computer that was running correctly and feel that it was a bad, or slow experience. The only complaint about SSD's have always been, "why did I wait this long". And occasionally, "I wish I had more space".

 

[HAVOC]

So lets say I buy a SSD and install Windows to it and my programs on the HDD. Will playing games see a big difference, such as loading levels? If the programs are on the HDD then in what aspects of Windows will you see an improvement?
I was leaning towards more memory for other programs (3D, photo editing, video encoding).

 

[DeaconFrost]

Games won't load any faster if they are coming from the HDD, but loading times aren't what matters for a gaming system anyway. If it does matter to you, then you just install them to the SSD. Same with the rest of your important apps.

What's the sense in buying an SSD to NOT use it? As for the memory, how certain are you that 6 GB in your system now is holding you back?

 

[pparks1]

Games won't load any faster if they are coming from the HDD, but loading times aren't what matters for a gaming system anyway. If it does matter to you, then you just install them to the SSD. Same with the rest of your important apps.

While loading the game faster won't make your gaming experience any better (more FPS), I find that games are some of the longest loading experiences that I get on my PC. I spend far more time waiting for a game to load than I do for something like Google Chrome to open, or Media Monkey to launch my music collection.

I want my games loaded on my SSD. Obviously, the trade off is the amount of disk space consumed.

 

[HAVOC]

Well, just bought another 6GB of memory. It was cheap compared to the SSD's (I know it wont help my WEI score).
If I do decide on getting an SSD, is there a brand that I should look at (or stay away from)? Also what size would be a good choice (just for OS, MSE, Malwarebytes)? All other programs would be installed to the HDD.
Or just save the money?

 

[DeaconFrost]

They are definitely some of the "slowest" loading apps, just for the amount of data that needs to be loaded to start the game...but like you said...it has no affect on the actual gameplay, once loaded.

 

[DeaconFrost]

The size depends on you. We can't answer that. I would get one large enough to hold your OS and primary apps. The sweet spot right now is in the 128 GB range. That would be fine for most people, however, I went for a 240 GB just so I could have plenty of room to grow. Crucial, Intel, Samsung, OCZ, all make quality drives. Just stick to a reputable brand.

I'm stating it one more time, since it hasn't been answered. Are you sure you need the extra memory? If you aren't fully using the 6 GB you have now, that extra memory will yield only one result....less money in your pocket. Just adding more memory to a system doesn't mean anything will change. 6 GB is quite a bit, so as mentioned several times above...you most likely could have saved that money and put it towards the SSD.

 

[HAVOC]

I do have a gift card from work that I could use towards the SSD.
I will need to do a complete reinstall, correct?

 

[DeaconFrost]

You can clone your current install over to the SSD, and then follow tutorials on here to ensure the alignment is correct, but if it's been a while since you did install Windows 7, I'd prefer to just do a clean install. You get proper alignment, newer drivers, and a clean system running on a fast drive.

 

[pparks1]

.but like you said...it has no affect on the actual gameplay, once loaded.

The same can be said for all other applications installed on an SSD too. Photoshop, Office, etc. They all run the same once loaded!

I agree 100% with Deacon that 128GB is the sweet spot for the SSD. Sure, you can get away with 30-60GB on an SSD if you only run your OS there, but once you get used to running things from SSD, you will want to run as much as you possibly can from the SSD. I'm currently on an 80GB SSD, and I'm around 70% used with a couple of games (BF3 and Diablo III). If I were to buy again today, I would go with something in the 240GB range.

Brands for me to consider are Intel, Corsair and Samsung. I don't particularly care for SandForce controllers, so I usually avoid OCZ.

 

[HAVOC]

Will the new SSD behave as one of my HDD's that I have now? Plug it in to my SATA port, install Windows and that's it or will I need certain drivers for the drive itself?

 

[DeaconFrost]

It's a regular hard drive, in terms of how to install it. You should check to make sure you can set your SATA controller to AHCI in your BIOS, when you are ready to install, though. Aside form that, it works and acts the same.

 

[HAVOC]

Just checked my MB manual and (SATA) AHCI is supported in the BIOS.
Waiting on my memory to get here. Ordered it yesterday and it's "out for delivery", that was fast!

Think I'll wait until next year to install a SSD. Prices should drop by then , no?

Saw this SSD on Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167042

 

[pparks1]

This Samsung 830 128GB SSD will outperform that 120GB Intel, and it's $50 cheaper too
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit.

 

[HAVOC]

Just installed the new 6GB of memory.