Can I install My OS on an SSD plugged into a SATA3 PCI Express Card?

Hey all,

I'm looking at buying an SSD for Windows 7 over the next few months. Either A Samsung 830 or Crucial M4. This will just hold the O/S, I'm going to be keeping my Personal Data on my Spinners.

My MOBO doesn't support SATA 3 as it's an older model (I will eventually upgrade it). So, for now I may buy a SATA 3 PCI Card.

Is it wise to install the O/S to this SSD? Or should I plug the SSD straight into the MOBO and just run it at SATA II Speeds?

Burdus77 said:

My MOBO doesn't support SATA 3 as it's an older model (I will eventually upgrade it). So, for now I may buy a SATA 3 PCI Card.

Is it wise to install the O/S to this SSD? Or should I plug the SSD straight into the MOBO and just run it at SATA II Speeds?

I'd be interested in what info this thread generates, but I haven't heard of any particular advantage to SATA 3 with an SSD.

I'd avoid spending money on the card and just go direct into a SATA 2 port unless you can get reports of real-world improvements. Even if you did, I might wait until I eventually upgraded the motherboard rather than attempt to use a SATA 3 PCI card.

Dwarf said:

Absolutely. This is what I have done on my system with my SSDs and HDDs. The SSDs hold the OSes, and are connected to the PCI-E card. The HDDs, which are used for data, are connected to the motherboard connectors.

Hi Dwarf,

Will the SATA II PCI cards work right out of the box then? No need to install anything within Windows? Doesn't affect anything like formatting or reinstalling windows at all?

:)

Dwarf said:

Absolutely. This is what I have done on my system with my SSDs and HDDs. The SSDs hold the OSes, and are connected to the PCI-E card. The HDDs, which are used for data, are connected to the motherboard connectors.

Dwarf:

Do you have any reading on the performance improvement for an SSD via the add-on card versus direct to the SATA 2 mobo ports?

I have no idea and would be interested in what you may have learned.

ignatzatsonic said:

Burdus77 said:

My MOBO doesn't support SATA 3 as it's an older model (I will eventually upgrade it). So, for now I may buy a SATA 3 PCI Card.

Is it wise to install the O/S to this SSD? Or should I plug the SSD straight into the MOBO and just run it at SATA II Speeds?

I'd be interested in what info this thread generates, but I haven't heard of any particular advantage to SATA 3 with an SSD.

I'd avoid spending money on the card and just go direct into a SATA 2 port unless you can get reports of real-world improvements. Even if you did, I might wait until I eventually upgraded the motherboard rather than attempt to use a SATA 3 PCI card.

I was thinking that it may be wiser just to plug it into the Motherboard itself.

Eventually I will replace the whole lot (Mobo with SATA 3, CPU, DDR3 memory and stupidly designed Dell case).

When I get the motherboard I'm going to have to go all out and get new cpu, case, psu.

Because it's a weirdly designed Dell case I'm not sure if the mobo will fit a standard case?

Burdus77 said:

When I get the motherboard I'm going to have to go all out and get new cpu, case, psu.

Because it's a weirdly designed Dell case I'm not sure if the mobo will fit a standard case?

I'm not sure there is an issue with motherboards "fitting" in Dell cases.

But there can be problems regarding power supplies and front panel connectors.

I think the situation is better than it was 10 years ago---Dell may be using more standard parts rather than proprietary.

But it varies from model to model and it can be tough getting accurate info on a particular model. A year or so ago, I tried to Google accurate info on a particular Dell and was never completely successful.

Suggestions:

Try to get a post answered by member Fireberd. He's experienced and spends a lot of time on Dell forums.

Check Dell forums yourself. Mention your model number.

Thanks ignatzatsonic,

I'm going to have a browse through the Dell forums and see if I can pick up any info on parts, case, etc :)