My first solid state.

[panais]

One of this days i will buy my first solid state drive.
So i need an expert advice,especially from someone who already has ssd.
First : Most of all worries me the compatibility issue with my GA-X38-DS4 motherboard,i don't want to throw the money for nothing. And i didn't found anything in the web about this.
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Second: IF IS NOT THERE ANY COMPATIBILITY ISSUE!! Then....Which one is better,faster?
A) Corsair Force Series F80A - solid state drive - 80 GB - SATA-300
B) OCZ Agility 2 Series - Solid state drive - 80 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300
C) OCZ Vertex 2 Series - Solid state drive - 80 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300

 

[pparks1]

As long as you have SATA ports on your motherboard, SSD drives will work.

Faster is often a result of which benchmark you used. The biggest bang for the buck with any SSD is it's 0.1ms access times to files anywhere on the drive. You will get that from any of the SSD's that you pick. Your read/write speeds may be marginally better on one drive versus another, but unless you are continously reading and writing large files...it probably won't be noticeable in day-to-day computer use.

Personally, I think OCZ has a great reputation and the Vertex 2 line has been solid. I would pick that one if it were me.

 

[pooch]

I would recommend vertex 2

 

[panais]

OCZ Vertex 2 Series

Ok then i will buy...
OCZ Vertex 2 Series - Solid state drive - 80 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300
I will post back again as soon il have my new ssd.
Maybe i will need some more help with the ssd installation,some advices,tips or tricks for the best results.
Thanks!
-------------------------------------------
OCZ Vertex 2 Series info:
80GB VERTEX 2 SATA II 2.5IN

2.5" Solid State Drives / SATA II / MLC / Performance Series / 40GB-480GB

Based on a cutting-edge new architecture, Vertex 2 Solid State Drives raise the bar once again and deliver unprecedented performance for the complete gamut of gaming and professional multimedia applications. OCZ designed the Vertex 2 to surpass the competition where it counts most, pushing the limits in both sequential and random read/write rates. With spectacular performance in 4k file writes up to 50,000 IOPS, these latest drives take productivity to the next level with over ten times the performance of the previous generation. Using the latest controller technology, Vertex 2 not only provides a faster, more responsive PC experience, but promotes cooler, quieter, and more energy efficient conditions compared to traditional mechanical hard drives.

With sheer performance that outpaces the competition, the Vertex 2 doesn’t lose sight of what makes an SSD the ideal storage alternative to hard drives and delivers the quality, reliability, and durability demanded by consumers that will not settle for anything but the best. Built with SATA 3Gb/s, the Vertex 2 Series easily integrates into today’s mobile and desktop platforms and features TRIM support to optimize performance over the drive’s lifespan as the ultimate Windows 7 notebook or desktop upgrade.

OCZ Vertex 2 SSDs are available in 40GB to 480GB and come backed by a 3-year warranty and 2 million hour MTBF for ultimate peace of mind. Feature list

Size: 2.5 " Seek time: 0.1 ms Solid State Disk drive capacity: 80 GB Read speed: 285 MB/s Write speed: 275 MB/s Internal: Y Data transfer rate: 3 Gbit/s Solid State Disk drive interfaces: Serial ATA II Weight: 77 g Depth: 69.63 mm Width: 99.8 mm Height: 9.3 mm Operating temperature range T-T: 0 - 70 °C Storage temperature range T-T: -45 - 85 °C Mean time between failures MTBF: 2000000 h Power consumption standby: 0.5 W Power consumption read: 2 W Power consumption write: 2 W USB powered: N Compatible operating systems: Windows XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS X, Linux Colour of product: Black Sustained data rate: 200 MB/s Non-operating shock: 1500 G

 

[JerometheGiraff]

I had plenty of opportunities to buy a SSD the reason I never have is the size, and price and finally the there has been a lot of mixed reviews on the speed difference.

 

[pparks1]

I had plenty of opportunities to buy a SSD the reason I never have is the size, and price and finally the there has been a lot of mixed reviews on the speed difference.

The speed difference is substantial. Boot up windows faster, launch programs almost instantly and close down the computer super fast. Then, you have AV scans which are fast, and malware scans which are super fast. I wouldn't say an SSD is a necessity, but if I could have one, I certainly would want it. I have an 80GB Intel X25-M G2 myself.

 

[Everlong]

I had plenty of opportunities to buy a SSD the reason I never have is the size, and price and finally the there has been a lot of mixed reviews on the speed difference.

The speed difference is substantial. Boot up windows faster, launch programs almost instantly and close down the computer super fast. Then, you have AV scans which are fast, and malware scans which are super fast. I wouldn't say an SSD is a necessity, but if I could have one, I certainly would want it. I have an 80GB Intel X25-M G2 myself.

I was always holding off getting an SSD due to the price:storage ratio. Eventually I went for one and it is the single piece of hardware where you'll notice a massive difference in everyday computer usage.

 

[pparks1]

Yeah, the price:storage ratio isn't great. It's all about performance. Get enough to run your OS and hold your essential apps and add a spinning hard drive for storage. That's the way to go about it.

 

[pooch]

Ok then i will buy...
OCZ Vertex 2 Series - Solid state drive - 80 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300
I will post back again as soon il have my new ssd.
Maybe i will need some more help with the ssd installation,some advices,tips or tricks for the best results.
Thanks!
-------------------------------------------

This covers pretty much all you need to know http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html?ltr=S

 

[panais]

IDE mode or AHCI mode?

IDE mode or AHCI mode?
Which is better for me (view my hardware specs) and why?

 

[Brink]

Hello Panais,

You will not regret a SSD. Congratulations.

You would want to set your BIOS to use AHCI mode before you install the SSD and Windows 7 on it. AHCI will give you better performance and more features.

AHCI vs IDE

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[panais]

Hello Panais,

You will not regret a SSD. Congratulations.

You would want to set your BIOS to use AHCI mode before you install the SSD and Windows 7 on it. AHCI will give you better performance and more features.

AHCI vs IDE

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Brink,
And thanks again for everything!
I will print some of the <<advices>>,i want everything to work perfect.
I cant wait to start!
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I will post back again in this thread with news and more questions as always
---------------------------------
Do i will have to enable ANCI in windows also and how?

 

[pooch]

There is some discussion as to what is best with a SSD AHCI brings you NCQ (not neccessary for a SSD) and hot plugging. Some say IDE is faster, I chose AHCI as at the time I was running HDD'S as well Since then I have swapped over to RAID

You might want to look here as well http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...BC-for-OCZ-SSD&p=567554&viewfull=1#post567554
This may be more up to date than the link in my last post

 

[panais]

Do i have also to enable ANCI in windows after the OS installation and how?

 

[pooch]

AHCI? if you set it in BIOS before the install then no it happens automatically

 

[panais]

Ok i just order the ssd BUT...

Now i must wait for a few days.
The BAD thing for me is that....
I have read so many UGLY stuff in the internet about ssd+win7=BSOD
And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.
Ahhh! im confused and nervous!

 

[pooch]

Now i must wait for a few days.
The BAD thing for me is that....
I have read so many UGLY stuff in the internet about ssd+win7=BSOD
And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.
Ahhh! im confused and nervous!

I hate waiting lol and I can understand you, but there is only one way to find out I have vmy fingers crossed for you

 

[panais]

Now i must wait for a few days.
The BAD thing for me is that....
I have read so many UGLY stuff in the internet about ssd+win7=BSOD
And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.
Ahhh! im confused and nervous!

I hate waiting lol and I can understand you, but there is only one way to find out I have vmy fingers crossed for you

Thanks!

 

[sygnus21]

Now i must wait for a few days.
The BAD thing for me is that....
I have read so many UGLY stuff in the internet about ssd+win7=BSOD
And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.
Ahhh! im confused and nervous!

As on who has an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD drive I can say without doubt that it runs flawlessly without issue. I've had mines since Dec of last year.

I'll put it this way SSD+Windows 7= Great maintenance free performance. In short I've done nothing to the drive other than install it and put the OS on it.

BTW those most of those horror stories are from tweak freaks who try to wring every ounce of performance out of everything they have, or are using them on Windows XP, which has its own set of problems with SSD drives - performance.

If you use the SSD as intended for everyday use you will have no problems - same as any other piece of hardware.

Again, all I had to do was install the SSD drive and install the OS (Win 7). Everything else is taken care of by Windows 7. And definitely use AHCI as Brink stated!!!

 

[panais]

Now i must wait for a few days.
The BAD thing for me is that....
I have read so many UGLY stuff in the internet about ssd+win7=BSOD
And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.
Ahhh! im confused and nervous!

As on who has an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD drive I can say without doubt that it runs flawlessly without issue. I've had mines since Dec of last year.

I'll put it this way SSD+Windows 7= Great maintenance free performance. In short I've done nothing to the drive other than install it and put the OS on it.

BTW those most of those horror stories are from tweak freaks who try to wring every ounce of performance out of everything they have, or are using them on Windows XP, which has its own set of problems with SSD drives - performance.

If you use the SSD as intended for everyday use you will have no problems - same as any other piece of hardware.

Again, all I had to do was install the SSD drive and install the OS (Win 7). Everything else is taken care of by Windows 7. And definitely use AHCI as Brink stated!!!

<<And plus,also worries me (i don't trust) my <<old>> system,especially my motherboard ga-x38-ds4.>>
Please view my Specs.
Any idea for that?