get and install an ssd?

[msongs]

hi,

looking at an ssd for my computer. My C: is only 85.2GB, I guess that's win7 +programs, and all my data drive is only 71 GB, so evidently the whole shebang is only 156 GB.

It would all fit on a 250 GB ssd then.

Besides having the function of an ssd I want to clean install win7, though that might not be necessary if it's all moved to a faster ssd perhaps.

read the forum tutorial for ssd but it is 2 years old, requires writing code. Do the latest ssd drives just come where you plug and play (basically) then transfer over the data from the old hard drive> Not technical here about raid and sata II sata II etc. am supposing it will be compatible with my motherboard which is just 2 yrs old.

the latest ssd come with bracket and software for date transfers etc.

 

[essenbe]

Yes, on a clean install, the installation is just like any other hard drive. The installer will align and install it just right. Whether they come with software and brackets really depends on which one you get. Some do and some don't, some don't even come with the screws. Compatibility should be no issue. Just connect it to the first Intel port. Port 0 or 1.

 

[msongs]

cloning the old drive..

so if I just clone the old HD the benefits of speed etc will still be the same compared to the old HD...

 

[Britton30]

this is the better way. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html#post1286911

 

[kbrady1979]

I recommend a clean install of Windows 7 on an SSD. As fast as an SSD is, you can install windows and your programs/updates in no time. What SSD are you looking at?

 

[smarteyeball]

In this situation cloning would be just as easy, if not easier. OP doesn't have to worry about chipset, video, etc drivers, so as long as the offset on the ssd is correct (covered by tutorial) there should be no performance loss due to cloning vs clean.

If there was a new mobo involved I'd forget cloning and go clean, but as it is it's not as imperative as other new hardware changes.

The time flapping about cloning would end up being shorter than a clean installation. It all depends on how many apps etc the OP has.


The good news is, either way is doable


Enjoy your new drive when you get it OP. You'll wonder why it took you so long. (Just like every other SSD convert, myself included)

 

[msongs]

looking at 2 by samsung and probably

the 250 gb model thats around $200. I want one with the 3.5 conversion brackets I think, but it sounds like you can just stick to the case anywhere using velcro lol. Also with software for the simple clone from HDD to ssd. Intel has a few models too. Seems like almost every other tech stuff I have is by samsun anyway.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
The FASTEST SSD at an affordable price is the 840 (not the older but still good 830) SAMSUNG 250 GB SSD. Cost is relatively cheap too. You won't regret installing one. Also if you need more data just use cheap portable size 1 / 2TB passport external USB drives - the new ones are also USB 3. (They work in USB 2 slots too although not at USb 3 speed).

You will wonder why you never installed one before.

The Samsung SSD's come also with a SATA==>USB adapter so if you just want to clone your system just use the supplied software (SAMSUNG SSD comes with this) to copy your current system to the SSD which you attach to a USB slot. Then simply remove the old drive and insert the new one.

Unlike a lot of people here I wouldn't re-install Windows if you don't really need to --The data transfer software from SAMSUNG handles the whole SSD stuff so you don't have to worry any more about "alignment / trim" etc.

SSD's have moved a long way since the early days.

Incidentally the device is so small and light that if installing in a desktop type PC you don't even have to bother to hard mount it -- just lay it down in any available space --there's no moving parts so no vibration etc so it doesn't need to be bolted down either. The reason I say this is that you might want to install more SSD's or even classical spinners -- the spinners will need to be mounted in proper bays so if you take up a bay or two with the SSD's then you won't have any space should you wish to add a spinner or two.

I've got 3 SSD's and 4 Spinners in my current system - eventually I'll get rid of all the spinners INSIDE the system and just use these as external drives for Backup / Archive / Data I don't need online all the time.

I've just bought for around 500 USD an SSD nearly 1 TB (Crucial M500 960 GB). OK it's probably too expensive for most but it shows prices are dropping to a point were it won't be too long now where SSD's will become mainstream even for relatively large volumes of data.

(Two more spinners are coming out of my system today and being replaced by this SSD).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[DeaconFrost]

I would also recommend a clean install as well. Not only does it ensure the OS is installed properly on the SSD, it gives the OP a chance to get the latest drivers and apps.

Use your existing drive as your data drive, using the SSD as a single, solid drive C.

 

[cheezz]

I would also recommend a clean install as well. Not only does it ensure the OS is installed properly on the SSD, it gives the OP a chance to get the latest drivers and apps.

Use your existing drive as your data drive, using the SSD as a single, solid drive C.

^^
Best solution.

 

[Dude]

I agree cheezz, I just installed a SSD a couple of days ago. Clean install and driver update was quick. You will appreciate the benefit of the upgrade.

 

[whs]

A clean install is the least fuzz but the most work. I never made a clean install on all my 6 SSDs and never had a problem either. But there are certain advantages with the clean install if you are not used to handling SSDs.

As far as the models go - the recommended Samsung 840 Pro is not bad and the OCZ Vector is even better. But even less glamorous SSDs like the OCZ Vertex or the Crucial M4 will give you plenty of performance boost.

I am not sure whether you really need a 256GB model. The data should go on the spinner and your OS plus programs seems to fit easily on a 128GB model. And that OS can probably be slimmed down by eliminating the hiberfile and reducing the pagefile.

 

[kbrady1979]

whs is 100% correct. A clean install vs. making a cloned image really boils down to how comfortable you are using the software and also what kind of shape your OS is in on your HDD. I prefer a clean install because I like a fresh install of Windows every so often, but I could just as easily clone it and be fine......I just prefer a clean install.

SSD models aren't as important as they used to be. I can name half a dozen that are very reliable, and are so fast a user couldn't tell the difference between them. I only recommend staying away from drives with a Sandforce controller, and trying to stay with the current generation of drives. Samsung 840 Pro, OCZ Vector, Plextor M5 Pro, Corsair Neutron GTX, OCZ Vertex 4, Crucial M4.......they are all great SSD's and some of the fastest on the market. You can find a 128gb model of each of those for a little over $100 on sale if you look around.

 

[msongs]

SSD update...

ordered a samsung 840 250GB model. leaning towards a clean install if it will be moderately easy to get all the updates for the OS and any hardware drivers I need drivers I need (canon 8300 printer, 2 monitors, graphics card). I will keep my data on the HDD. Have read the 7 roum tutorial but I don't know about that computer code I would have to enter. there are official samsung youtube videos showing how to install the ssd so I will probably follow those. Looks fairly simple, I had no issues installing an HDD before. PS - can I open and run programs that are still on the old HDD or do they all have to be moved to the new SSD?