My first SSD!

swarfega · 13 Nov 2010

I have just ordered my first ssd with which I plan to install Windows 7 on.

I have bought these items:

OCZ Vertex 2E Bigfoot 120GB 3.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive
Seagate Momentus XT 500GB Hybrid SATA-II 2.5" 7200RPM 32MB

I was wondering if you guys do anything different either in preparing, install or post install. I have only ever used HDDs so this is a new technology for me and I think Im going to be in shock at the speed!

I plan to copy my user folders/files to the hybrid drive, but keep software on the ssd.

So any advice would be appreciated.

linnemeyerhere · 13 Nov 2010

As far as I can see your logic is perfect and 120gb SSD is huge for OS and Apps. Are you doing a clean install or backing up a image?

whs · 13 Nov 2010

Put the brand new SSD in and leave it up ti the Win7 installer to make the settings.

When you are done with the installation, make sure that Disk Defrag is disabled.

And if you do not use hibernation, you may also want to delete the hiberfile. The Command is : powercfg.exe -h off It saves you a few GIGs on the SSD. All the other OS files should stay on the SSD.

If you want to move your user files to the HDD, here are a few tips on how to create a Data Partition

PS: Stay away from all those "Expert advices" that tell you you tweak the SSD to death. All it buys you is trouble. Keep it straight forward.

Wishmaster · 13 Nov 2010

I completely agree with whs.

I would add that after you get Win7 up and running, run the WEI.
It should make the needed adjustments for you.
I/E, disable defragmenting for the SSD and disable Superfetch.

It should still allow auto defraging of your spinners however, if you want to use it for them.
As suggested, double check though.

This is truly all you should need to do.

Although I think re-enabling Super-fetch is a good idea. SSDs are fast, but not as fast as RAM.
Personally, I disable Win 7s defragmenter all together, even for spinners but because I let Perfect Disk manage all of that.

I also think when moving to a SSD, a clean install is the best option.

smarteyeball · 13 Nov 2010

swarfega said:

I was wondering if you guys do anything different either in preparing, install or post install.

Check out the OCZ forums prior to installation:

Guide THE BASIC GUIDE & FAQ - ABC for OCZ SSD

swarfega · 13 Nov 2010

Thanks all for your useful input.

Yes this will be a clean install.

@whishmaster: So running WEI with an SSD installed actually disables defrag and superfetch? I didnt know that! Ill likely run it without superfetch for a while and see what its like.

@whs: IM moving the user data to the hybrid drive as its larger.

Couple of other questions. Im not sure whether I should move the indexing database, browser caches, or disable/enable the pagefile. Ive seen conflicting suggestions on the last one.

Wishmaster · 13 Nov 2010

WEI usually does this for you yes.
Run it, then reboot and double check.

With a SSD that size, my suggestion would be to leave the TEMP folder & Pagefile with the SSD.

Never disable the Pagefile. it will not hurt anything leaving it ON, but will potentialy cause problems if off.

Indexing ... I don't know for sure.
I do not disable indexing, but I do disable Indexing the SSD drives themselves.

swarfega · 13 Nov 2010

I normally move indexing off the c: drive to reduce spinning, but of course its a different affair with SSDs.

spyknee · 13 Nov 2010

I think you'll like them, SSD's that is.
Goto the OCZ forums for your drive, good info there.

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/forum.php

You'll want to "over-provision" the drive. Let W7 handle complete install as stated above. You just tell it what size partition you want. Do a little research here!
Make sure about the drives FW ver. You want the latest.
You'll want to enable write cacheing under the drives policies, after OS install.
Some consideration for IDE vs AHCI must be made, preferably pre OS install.
Have your drives version of "sanitary erase" handy.
After OS install, in the power plan advanced settings. You want to choose "never sleep" for the SSD.
Put the SSD in SATA port 0(first port) and the cd rom in SATA port 5(last port). Connect no other drives untill after OS install. Make sure system is not OC'ed and all mobo settings are correct. Mobo should be flashed to latest ver before OS install.
I suggest the Intel chipset drivers over the MS one.

SSD are not anything like spin drives, you do not defrag them or need drive indexing, superfetch, hibernation with them. Some debate prefetch but MS suggests leaving it on.
SSD's have a very limited life compared to spin drives, so you want to keep writes to drive at a minimum once you have put software in drive and are all setup. Your SSD should be OS and your apps only. All pics, music will be stored on your spinner.
You can not just disable the pagefile, bad. But you can move it off the Boot SSD. Same for all Temp and tmp files. Internet Explorer temp files.
Use ATTO to benchmark the drive, and do this spareingly! (writes to disk)
Keep edited files on the spin drive.

A little SSD smarts will ensure they last awhile.
enjoy

ps: pm me if you have any specific ?'s. I will try and point you to any info that might help.

whs · 13 Nov 2010

Be careful with what the OCZ people say. They are real insiders and want to tweak the thing to death - and all of that to gain 1 or 2%. As we said before, keep it simple, keep all the OS files on the SSD and enable Superfetch. As Wishmaster said, RAM is still a lot faster than the SSD and cached processes will come off the RAM cache a lot faster than from the SSD.
Also do not listen to people who warn against wear and tear if you access the SSD too often. You will long have replaced this SSD before that is going to happen - maybe in 2030.