SDD Advice

[Giskard]

I want to get an SDD drive for my current system. I can't decide if I need 40 gigs will be enough. Currently program files + windows take up 32 gigs. I am afraid that if I get one more game or large program I wouldn't be able to fit it all on the SDD drive.

Also, some say that I don't need to put all program files on sdd to get performance boost. Also, when I get the new drive, can I just make old drive into slave then delete the windows part of it? Or do I need to reformat my old drive, cause I really don't want to go and back up everything.

Suggestions are appreciated. I mainly use this rig for Excel, Word, database program, and some light photoshop and dreamweaver work.

If this is wrong forum please move to the correct place.

 

[richc46]

I agree that you do not need to put all the game on a SSD for best performance, but if you are currently using 32gb to go to just 40 is just foolish. Just a few extra dollars to go to 50 or even 100gb and have all the space you need will have a nominal cost.
Its a lot more expensive to buy a whole drive because you are out of space.

 

[pparks1]

IF you plan a lot of games, you really will want them on the SSD as these are some of the longest startup applications that you are going to face. I've got an Intel 80GB SSD and I install my games to it and they start up so fast, it's unreal. If I were you, I would save a bit more until you could get a little more disk space.

 

[Giskard]

Thanks I wish there was an until drive for 60 gigs, cause I know I will not use over 30 gigs of that space. The price is like 2 x greater for 80 then 40. I'll think about it some more thank you for input.

 

[spyknee]

SSD's are nice for much, but they are not nice, for apps where there is a lot of editing. Which means that you might want an SSD for app running but you'll use spin drives for storage of editing files.
Whereas the SSD will help games load faster, they do not really affect game performance. Games live in vid card and ram. Many put the pagefile on a ramdisk thumb drive.

I just put XP Pro/32 to SSD. 30GB drive. The drive will house only the OS and updates, virus, and associated drivers. $104 for drive. If your not going fancy, take small bites.

 

[Wishmaster]

True, SSDs increase the load time of games. But for many, once loaded there will be no significant change.
However, there are some games that will benefit greatly, especially those that are constantly loading on the fly.
Games like Fallout 3, Oblivion for example will gain a large overall performance gain on a SSD


Still, if you got a 40GB SSD, install Windows and all programs on it.

Then install all Games and move your user DATA (Music Pics Videos etc) to a Spinning Drive, its more than enough room.


Overall, the OS itself and your applications/programs will see a huge improvement from a SSD, more so than games will.
Also, even though most games & User DATA will be on a spinning drive , you will still see a significant performance gain.

Maybe later you can get a second SSD to put some of your games on.

This has an additional advantage as well.
The 40GB SSd is still only has the OS and all your programs.
So, creating System Backups/Images & Restores will be much faster without additional clutter.

Games installed on the secondary SSD still gain the benefit without increase size and Backup/Restore time of the OS.

This is how I have mine set up.
You dont have to get both at the same to to start gaining the benefits a SSD has to offer.

 

[spyknee]

W7 is designed to work with SSD's. Easiest install I ever did. W7 aligned the disk and loaded in first time.
Depending on how long you want the disk to be around, some thought should be given to short stroking the SSD.
ie leaving a % unallocated
I chose to just use a 30GB SSD for XP OS because I intended to leave 5MB's unallocated. Gives the firmware more fresh nand to play with for drive maintenance. Also btween MS updates and driver updates wanted to leave room for future. But still leaving much fresh nand.
The SSD OS will herd several older spin drives. A home server if you will. Just sit in the corner quiet like.

Remember SSD's are new tech, as such get info about what your gonna buy.

 

[Giskard]

I will prob just risk it buy Newegg.com - Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Intel 40 gig, put my program files on it and if I ever need more than additional 8 gigs ill likely have, I'll worry about it then).

I have the money to buy 80, but it more of a value question.

Thanks guys. Also, do you recommend wiping my old drive or just switch into slave and delete windows?

Also, I have postgrs installed to use pokertracker, which is fairly read/write intensive application, is there any risk of my moving this to an SDD drive?

Lastly, the 40gig is really 37 gigs right?

 

[Wishmaster]

Yes about 37GB, actually just a bit more than 37GB on the 40Gb Intel.
37.27GB Useable.

Great Drive for the price BTW. Sure, theres drives that may perform better, but in that price range it is a bit hard to beat.


I have several programs installed on mine, including Nero9, Photoshop Elements, amoung other things and still have just under 17Gb free.

If you keep all the User DATA and Games elsewhere (Secondary SSD or Spinning Drive), theres actually more room than you would think think on it.
Those things are what eats up space the quickest.

I have also disabled the Hiberfile though (never use it) and only have a 500MB PageFile on the Main SSD.
The secondary SSD holds the main Pagefile.


I honestly know nothing about that application, so couldnt say for sure.
If it does alot of random reads, the SSD would certainly benefit it though.

 

[MK2]

Hi,

Another great SSD to consider is the OCZ Vertex2, it's one of the fastest on SataII around at the moment.
There's a offer on Newegg for the 60GB atm: Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

MK2

 

[Giskard]

Well, I couldn't resist. Got the 80 gig Intel drive for 189.99 with shipping. I love newegg.

 

[Wishmaster]

Well, I couldn't resist. Got the 80 gig Intel drive for 189.99 with shipping. I love newegg.

I have a feeling you are going to love it