Solved What Size SSD for Just Windows 7?

[Aderes Devorah]

Hi all

I want to get a solid state drive for just Windows 7.

What size would you recommend for this, obviously allowing for the other files that Windows 7 picks up through routine running?

All other programs will be stored on a second drive.

Many thanks

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[DeaconFrost]

You are defeating the purpose of getting an SSD. Get one large enough to install Windows 7 and your applications. The sweet spot right now, cost-wise, is the 128 GB drives. Only you can decide if that's big enough or not.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Windows 7 with all updates is roughly 20 GB.

Some people use SSDs as small as 40 GB. I use 80, of which only 28 is occupied.

But you are much better off putting as many applications as possible on the SSD--as well as Windows. SSDs are much cheaper than a year ago, so I'd get one large enough to hold most or all programs.

Depending on your setup, that might take 40 GB and it might take 100 GB.

Games can be put on a standard HDD.

You are really limiting the advantages of an SSD if you refuse to put applications on it.

 

[whs]

All my desktop SSDs are 60GB. I keep the OS and ALL programs on the SSD. User data is on the HDD. The pagefile is set to 2GB and the hiberfile to 0GB. I also always have one virtual partition for Windows 8 or Ubuntu (both virtual systems used more or less as test systems - not many programs installed). My minimum freespace is 25GB.

 

[Sardonicus]

128 Gb is a decent size. The 128 Gb model will also be faster than the 64 Gb models, in most cases.

 

[Layback Bear]

The biggest complaint I read about SSD's is: I wish I would of got a bigger one.
I suggest buying the biggest one your pocket book will allow. I have 50 gigs used on my 120 gb SSD.

 

[whs]

Hmm, true - bigger is better, but also more expensive.

When I bought my first SSD over 4 years ago, I paid abour $250 for a 60GB Vertex. So I got into the habit of using the 60GB size (except for the laptops). And I never had any problems with that size - never ran out of space. But now, the SSDs are so cheap that even I would consider 128GB.

 

[DavidE]

I agree with everything said here.

From what I've seen Win 7 32 bit uses a lot less space than Win 7 64 bit. (my guess is 10 GB)

I also read a RUMOR that Intel will be slashing SSD prices 25% soon (within a month)...
If that's true, maybe it will shake up the SSD prices...

I recently bought (my first) a 120 GB SSD, and i would not consider anything less than 60 GB...

I see WHS just posted about costs, so for some perspective ...
I just bought a 120GB OCZ Vertex3 for $80 USD...

 

[spencer1]

There are "Deal" sites and forums that keep close watch on SSD prices/sales/rebates They may be your best bet for the best bargain.

 

[whs]

There are "Deal" sites and forums that keep close watch on SSD prices/sales/rebates They may be your best bet for the best bargain.

Right, we have one like this where SSDs are very often quoted: http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/75383-best-deals-day-26.html

 

[Aderes Devorah]

Cheers to all who responded (very fast indeed).

Also, thanks for the advice on putting applications on the SSD as well.

I'll go for the biggest on that I can afford which, hopefully, will be a 128GB.

Best

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[ignatzatsonic]

Cheers to all who responded (very fast indeed).

Also, thanks for the advice on putting applications on the SSD as well.

I'll go for the biggest on that I can afford which, hopefully, will be a 128GB.

Sounds good.

The most commonly recommended brands would be Samsung, Intel, and Crucial.

If they were all priced identically, I'd probably go with Samsung although I now have an Intel.

Not enough difference among those 3 brands to worry about. Shop for the best deal at your chosen size.

 

[jadinolf]

My SSD is only 120 G.

I have Windows 7 and all of my required programs and still have 70G FREE.

 

[Aderes Devorah]

ignatzatsonic & jadinolf

Thanks again. What about OCZ? On Overclockers.co.uk (where I go, literally just down the road from me) the OCZ have high ratings and respect.

Cheers guys

 

[jadinolf]

ignatzatsonic & jadinolf

Thanks again. What about OCZ? On Overclockers.co.uk (where I go, literally just down the road from me) the OCZ have high ratings and respect.

Cheers guys

Mine is OCZ.

 

[Thorsen]

Same here. OCZ Agility 3 60GB

Edit: I got this due to budget, I needed a boost in my laptop and knew it would help. I didn't have the funds for the 128GB, but this is plenty for the OS and a few programs (I keep about 16GB free). and was a substantial boost in performance in a laptop with little upgrades available. If you have the funds, I would also go with the 128. OCZ as far as I have seen are at the front of most benchmarks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya mine are all 120GB with 500GGB HDD datas - but haven't had to use them yet.

The Samsungs (830) are good value at the moment and Crucial (M4) a very close second. Have them in all my machines now (5) and they haven't missed a beat.

 

[whs]

ignatzatsonic & jadinolf

Thanks again. What about OCZ? On Overclockers.co.uk (where I go, literally just down the road from me) the OCZ have high ratings and respect.

Cheers guys

I have 3 OCZs and they all work well. But there are some OCZ models that are real dogs. So you have to carefully check out the particular model. Reading the user comments at Newegg usually helps.

 

[mart4494]

The Samsungs (830) are good value at the moment and Crucial (M4) a very close second. Have them in all my machines now (5) and they haven't missed a beat.

Ditto to the Samsung 830 comment. Have just replaced a spinner in my laptop with one of these and the performance jump was off the graph. Had a choice of upgrading the laptop to a newer spec machine or go with the SSD (my RAM was max'd out). Saved me several $$$'s going the SSD route rather than a new laptop.

Amazon are offering some good deals atm on SSD's.

On my desktop I use a 128gb SSD with the OS and all programs on it. Data, etc is stored on a separate spinner.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yeah I am waiting on trying out the 120 SanDisk at the moment and thinking of getting the Corsair Force Series 3 240GB to try as well cos if my experience with Corsair RAM is anything to go by it should be good and it is so well priced right now.