Time for a SSD (Toshiba Tecra R840 laptop)...

[paulobao]

Hi all,

Yestarday my 6 month old Tecra R840 (win 7 pro, 64 bit, I7, 8GB Ram and 500 GB HDD) crashed for the first time with a BSOD!!! Nothing solve the problem so I restore it to factory state (toshiba have a special partition in disc C for that).
So I loose all my software and all the settings (and I had lot of sw installed for my hobbie...astyrophotography. I will need days to get everything working again...). I was really #$%& with that. Today I'm more calm

So my question now is: since I've nothing installed in the computer other that the OS and drivers should I buy an SSD?

I allways have the idea of buying one, but I start installation of sw and then I quit!

Are SSD more reliable that HDD?
Even if I like speed, reliability is paramount for me!
Could you give advice in this respect?
Any model of SSD with good reliability tracking record?

I thought in a Kingston HyperX 3k 240B or 480GB but are they really good?

Regards,
paulo

 

[richnrockville]

Paulo, to give you one answer to your question.
Are SSD more reliable that HDD?
Even if I like speed, reliability is paramount for me!
Could you give advice in this respect?
Any model of SSD with good reliability tracking record?

Yes, I believe that SSD's are more reliable than physical hard disks, due to less moving parts.
Speed is the really bit improvement.
I have been buying the Intel OEM versions of their 520 series SSD's
I also have a crutial that is just a workhorse.

Don't fall for the cheapest as it could be not as good.
I know that windows 8 really screams when booted on an SSD.

Rich

 

[whs]

I think there is little known about the Kingston SSDs. I would go with Intel or Crucial.

In 4 years I never had any of my 6 SSDs fail (knock on wood). They are Intel, OCZ and Crucial. With OCZ you have to know what you are buying. They have a couple of flaky models.

 

[tom982]

Hello Paulo and welcome to the forums

SSDs aren't any more reliable than HDDs, it's just different technology. They are less prone to being broken though as they don't have any moving parts - should you drop your laptop, there isn't anything to break like the arm on a HDD. Buying an SSD is mainly for performance

There was a great review of SSDs in PC Format a few months ago, and the Samsung 830 series won with flying colours The review was for lower capacity SSDs (120/128GB), but it should apply to larger capacities as well.

256GB: SAMSUNG 256GB 830 Series SSD - 2.5" SATA-III.. | Ebuyer.com
512GB: SAMSUNG 512GB 830 Series SSD - SATA-III 2.5&quot.. | Ebuyer.com

Here's a MaximumPC review for the Samsung 830: Maximum PC | Samsung 830 Series SSD Review

If you want any more information on the other SSDs in the review, feel free to ask!

Here's a comparison chart for the SSDs:

AnandTech - Kingston HyperX 3K (240GB) SSD Review

There's not much in it between the 830 and the HyperX 3K, they're both really good SSDs.

I'd go for the 830, but at the end of the day it's your choice.

Tom

 

[DavidE]

So I loose all my software and all the settings (and I had lot of sw installed for my hobbie...astyrophotography. I will need days to get everything working again...). I was really #$%& with that. Today I'm more calm

To me the ability to recover is much more important than the hardware, manufacturer, or technology used.

No matter which approach you choose, you should learn and use a Backup and Restore Strategy.
For the OS partition use an Imaging program such as Acronis, Macrium, the Win 7 built in utility, etc.
If your system crashes you have a much better chance of restoring it without re-installing Windows and all installed Programs.

For Data backups, imaging is not the best choice.
There are alternatives suggested on this site for Data backups.

Having the OS and all programs on a different partition than User Data is preferred by most tech's.
It makes restoring the OS or Data much simpler and safer.

Some tutorials you should read:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

hth,
David

 

[paulobao]

Thanks a lot for all the advice
David, you are absolutely right! I should have a recovery plan! Could I ask you advice again? Your advice is to have one partition for OS+ SW and another for data! How do I create those partitions (newbie question)? Can I create those now or at the moment I reformat the disk? Tnanks, paulo

 

[whs]

You can create a data partition any time and move the data to it. Just make sure that you have less than 4 primary partitions before you create a new partition (check in Disk Management). See this tutorial for details: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html

 

[paulobao]

Thanks a lot for the tuto .
I saw you have an SSD in your system! Any advice? Should I replace my HDD for a SSD?

Regards,
paulo

 

[whs]

That is a cost question. I have all my systems with SSDs - also the laptops. I use the HDDs in the desktops only for mass storage and backup. I would never again put an OS on a HDD - far too slow for my taste.

 

[paulobao]

But if cost is not a problem...do you recommend? Tis laptop is to use basically for 2 thinks: control all my astronomy gear via software (cameras, mount, etc, etc...it is really an intensive job because the laptop is working from sunset to sunrise plus soome more hours) and for processim my data (via PS CS5 and some more specific astronomy processing sw). Of course it will run Office.... So I need reliability because a crash at the mid of an astrophotography session it is a very bad thing!
Until now (and for years) I used a Toshiba MX30 with XP and only 80GB HDD (4800rpm..!) and 2 GB RAM and almost without any fault! Now with this much more powerfull laptop I want it even better !
I saw many articles about SSD in the web but sometimes it seems that someone want to sell you something!
I really appreciate a SSD user opinion more!
So, since my laptop is at factory state now (all those GB of sw and settings are gone) it is a good time to take or not the big decision: stay with the HDD or move to a 240-480 GB SSD.

Cheers,
paulo

 

[ignatzatsonic]

There is nothing magical about SSDs as far as the user experience goes.

Your PC will boot in about 30 seconds. Applications will open very quickly--less than 1 second for Word and about 4 seconds for Photoshop on my PC.

Any disk operations will be much quicker---virus scanning for instance.

I would not get a 240 GB SSD unless money is of little concern and ALL of your data will fit on it. The more common choice would be to get an SSD of perhaps 80 to 120 GB for the OS and ALL applications and then use another internal or external HDD for all data.

Good brands: Samsung, Intel, Crucial. They are probably the most reliable and all are much faster than any HDD.

Whether to get an SSD is purely a matter of preference, not necessity. If you have better uses for the money, don't do it. If you do switch, you may well find it worthwhile and would not likely want to go back to HDD for OS and applications.

 

[paulobao]

Thanks!
Now I'm deciding for a Intel 520!
Since I don't know much about this....is the swap tht easy?
My idea was: use the "factory image" that I have in my HDD to put my laptop in a "factory state". But how can I do this in the SSD? What are the option? (I think in one but maybe there is more simple ways..! I think in clone my system in the SSD, than install the SSD...I mean physically, and then restore the SSD to factory state. This would put a fresh install in the SSD and erse the initial "clone image", just in case!)

Cheers,
paulo

 

[whs]

It really is a matter of personal choice. A SSD is a lot faster and especially in a laptop that you carry around it is a lot less prone to damage. There are no moving parts, thus it will not break when you knock the laptop.

The size of the SSD depends on your requirements, but 240GB should be ample for most people.

 

[richnrockville]

Thanks!
Now I'm deciding for a Intel 520!
Since I don't know much about this....is the swap tht easy?
My idea was: use the "factory image" that I have in my HDD to put my laptop in a "factory state". But how can I do this in the SSD? What are the option? (I think in one but maybe there is more simple ways..! I think in clone my system in the SSD, than install the SSD...I mean physically, and then restore the SSD to factory state. This would put a fresh install in the SSD and erse the initial "clone image", just in case!)

Cheers,
paulo

I just bought a intel 520 series 250gig for less than $300. Orem version.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks!
Now I'm deciding for a Intel 520!
Since I don't know much about this....is the swap tht easy?
My idea was: use the "factory image" that I have in my HDD to put my laptop in a "factory state". But how can I do this in the SSD? What are the option? (I think in one but maybe there is more simple ways..! I think in clone my system in the SSD, than install the SSD...I mean physically, and then restore the SSD to factory state. This would put a fresh install in the SSD and erse the initial "clone image", just in case!)

Cheers,
paulo

You have several choices:

1. Clean install to the SSD. This is no different than a clean install to HDD.

2. Make an image of your current system partitions and restore the image to SSD.

3. Clone the current system to the SSD, without using an image.

4. Buy Paragon Migrate software for $20 and use it to transfer existing system to SSD. It is highly reliable and fast.

5. Get your factory restore involved in the process. I don't see any reason to do this if your machine is working well now.

I'd do the clean install because I am a tightwad and don't mind doing it.

You may well prefer to use Paragon.

If you want to image or clone, Macrium is probably your best option and it's free.

 

[richnrockville]

I also use acronis 2012 for image backups.

 

[paulobao]

Thanks again
One more newbie question: as with HDD is it possible to have partitions with SSD? I mean, whs suggestion was to have one partition for OS and apps and another one for data which seems very wise! Is this possible with ssd?

paulo

 

[Bumpkin]

Yes you can make more than one partition on a SSD.

You have gotten great advice, but don't forget about making a image after getting your new SSD up and running. Invest in a USB external hard drive and make images of your system and data regularly. If things go wrong in can restore the image with your system, programs and data. Most users recommend Macrium Reflect.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks again
One more newbie question: as with HDD is it possible to have partitions with SSD? I mean, whs suggestion was to have one partition for OS and apps and another one for data which seems very wise! Is this possible with ssd?

paulo

Yes and most would consider that preferable IF you intend to put your data on the second partition.

If you are going to put your data on another hard drive, then there would be no reason to partition the SSD.

Having the 2 partitions simplifies backups, imaging, and reinstallations.

The installation per se does not differ from installing to an HDD, but there are a few things you should check when the install is done. Windows will realize it is being installed on an SSD and change a few things automatically.

If you get the Intel, be sure to download the "Intel SSD toolbox" from the Intel site. It's a great tool. You should use it to schedule "optimizations" every week or so.

 

[paulobao]

Thanks!
Now I will try to decide what one to choose (520, Sams 830, Kingston). More I read more confuse I stay! SandForce have BSOD (some says), Samsung is not that quick (?), Kingston only have 3k cycles...Price is not my problem now, I only would like to have a "no problem" one :-(.

Cheers,
paulo