Help Switching To SSD Sony Vaio - Performance Question

[itsjinx]

I have a 4 year old Sony Vaio VPCF127FX with these stats:
- Windows 7
- Intel i7 quad-core 1.73GHz
- 8 GB DDR
- Samsung 586GB SATA HDD
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

Since they don't make Vaio's anymore and new laptops aren't significantly better, I want to speed it up as much as possible and was really hoping everyone could give me their opinion on the following questions:

1. Will switching to an SSD make anything faster?
2. What SSD would you recommend for my setup?
3. I have 2 4GB DDR sticks in my vaio - Can I and should I put 2 8GB sticks in?
4. Is there anything else I can do to speed up that isn't software-related?

I greatly appreciate anyone's help and opinions!


Thank you

 

[HarriePateman]

Hello,

An SSD would be like giving your laptop crack. It will work amazing! It will be so fast you will be mine blown! when i installed my SSD my boot up time went from 126 seconds to 11 seconds.

You wont need any more ram in your laptop if you get a SSD as 4GB is the sweet spot and you wont notice an improvement difference!

In terms of what SSD to buy, something like a samsung 840 EVO would be great! The software that comes with it is amazing, meaning you can clone your old HDD onto your SSD stress and hassle free!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=samsung 840 evo&sprefix=samsung+840+,aps,311

 

[Ranger4]

I agree with Harrie. Fitting a SSD is probably the best bang for your buck you can get. You will be amazed at the speed increase, both on boot & opening programs.
8gb of RAM is plenty for all normal computer use with Windows x64.
I am using a Samsung SSD & it has been working for 12 months without any problems.

 

[itsjinx]

Hello,

An SSD would be like giving your laptop crack. It will work amazing! It will be so fast you will be mine blown! when i installed my SSD my boot up time went from 126 seconds to 11 seconds.

You wont need any more ram in your laptop if you get a SSD as 4GB is the sweet spot and you wont notice an improvement difference!

In terms of what SSD to buy, something like a samsung 840 EVO would be great! The software that comes with it is amazing, meaning you can clone your old HDD onto your SSD stress and hassle free!

Amazon.com: samsung 840 evo - Internal Solid State Drives / Data Storage: Electronics

Thank you for the suggestion. I had no idea it was that big of an improvement. Based on your recommendation, I just purchased this one:
Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE500BW: Computers & Accessories

Can you also tell me:

1. Will this plug right into my current Sony Vaio that has a 2.5inch sata HDD?
2. Someone mentioned differences in speed with SATA I, II, and III. This samsung SSD is III but is my 4 year old sony vaio a sata III? If it is not sata III, is there anyway for me to update my laptop to operate at those fast speeds so I can take advantage of the sata III?

thank you!

 

[HarriePateman]

Very good choice!

it will fit yes, in terms of performance you will loose a little bit but you will still be mind blown.

 

[itsjinx]

I got the SSD and I'm also wondering if upgrading my nvidia graphics card will speed anything up? Also, is it possible to change my motherboards sata 2 connection to a sata 3 connection?

 

[Ranger4]

Changing hardware items in laptops is usually not possible, as it generally cheaper to replace the laptop. The only exception is changing the hard drive to an SSD which is definitely worth it.

No you cannot change the sata 2 to sata 3 as it is a hardware issue, so you would have to change the motherboard. However, the sata 2 & sata 3 connection cables are the same.

 

[itsjinx]

Thanks for all the help! I installed my new samsung 840 EVO 512MB with 30% OP and WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. It's crazy how much faster it is. My computer boots up in under 5 seconds - And that is with a cloned win 7 system from my HDD. I bet if I installed new win 7 or even win 8 it would be faster? Some of my geek buddies said win 8 will be SLOWER on my system but I am unsure?

Also, I didn't realize that I couldn't swap any internals of my notebook other than ram and hard drive. I already have max ram for my motherboard 8GB. Can anyone tell me if there is a FASTER type of ram I could switch it for? The 4GB DDR sticks I have are atleast 3 years old so I wonder if there is something better?

 

[Ranger4]

I doubt if going for different RAM would give you any noticeable benefit. Sometimes it is best to be satisfied with what you have & as you have mentioned you are blown away by the speed increase of the SSD, so I would leave it at that.

 

[itsjinx]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know if I can/should now uninstall these two programs:

• Intel Rapid Storage Technology
• Intel Turbo Boost Technology driver

Do I need them? Do they serve any benefit?

 

[essenbe]

I would leave them alone. They serve a purpose and you usually will get better results with IRST with an SSD. It includes Intel's AHCI driver. They both serve a purpose, although your system specs don't help answering that question.