SSD

[pdxireland]

OK, This is it, time at long last for an SSD.
Probably an Intel.
Is 40 GB too small for just OS & programs......do I need at least an 80 GB....more?
How much "headroom" is best?

fmg

 

[rap33042]

pdxireland:

I just sprung for an Intel 25-V SSD 40GB

I installed Windows 7 (64bit) without the 100MB boot partition.
I keep all my programs on another drive and all my data on yet another drive.
I separate this stuff mainly for backup reasons- it makes it easier for me to handle.
Used space: 18.1 GB
Free space: 19.0 GB
Speed? Astounding!
WEI went from 5.9 to 7.6 on the primary HDD
Spinner was rated: 95.5 MB/s
SSD at 231 MB/s

I've read that two of these suckers in a RAID-0 setup really rocks but I can't afford it right now.

The size issue you ask about is entirely dependent on how you plan to set up partitions (you have extra drives?)

It's going to get cramped if you plan to put your programs on the SSD, too.

Hope this helps,
rap

 

[Airbot]

40GB in my opinion, is too small and pushing it, unless you like most everything dumped onto a separate HDD.

Others will say - Oh yeah, it's plenty. Well, I'm at 40GB right now on my 180GB and climbing on mine. I keep my install mostly clean and basic, hibernation file gone (which gave me back 10GB actually), system restore off (not recommending that) just make backups, temp folders and downloads/some other files on a separate HDD. My basic programs which I want on my SSD, which isn't that much at all really, little bit of music, 2 games ATM and I'm at 40GB right now after a while of time. 40GB SSD would give you what, an actual 37GB usable capacity about. My opinion is I would go at least 80, at least.

 

[tw33k]

+1. 40GB is a little too close for comfort. There are lots of 60GB options.

 

[A320]

Hi airbot, just read your post and was curious, how do you get rid of the hibernation file.

I just got myself an Intel X25-M 80GB and I'M worried that it'll be too small! If I were you I'd for for more than 40GB. Also how much do you think I'll gain my turning off system restore as well?

I run 'goodsync' which keeps all my importants backed up on my external.

 

[tw33k]

Open an elevated command prompt and type: powercfg.exe -h off
Then reboot.

You'll save plenty of space disabling System Restore but only do so if you are making regular drive images/clones. This is more than just backing up your files.

 

[Airbot]

Pretty much just that command, yeah. Here's the tutorial for it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/819-hibernate-enable-disable.html?ltr=H

 

[A320]

Thanks for the info, I'm planning on adding a second similar SSD and trying out a RAID0 configuration so I'm thinking I'll be doing another fresh install soon anyways, unless of course it is possible to IMAGE my current SSD and then place it back on my 2 RAID0 SSD's.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

You will lose trim support with raid....

 

[pdxireland]

Ok....
I guess I will go with an 80/100GB intel.
Will keep an eye on Newegg for a Christmas deal!
Thanks for the advice....

fmg

 

[A320]

You will lose trim support with raid....

How do I check if TRIM is on now?

 

[Airbot]

we need to verify that TRIM is active. At a command prompt (start/run/cmd), type the following:

fsutil.exe behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

It should respond back with DisableDeleteNotify=0 if trim support is ready and active.
If it is not, type:

fsutil.exe behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

 

[swarfega]

Could this thread be stickied for its useful advice?

I am getting an ssd this month. I have decided on the OCZ Vertex 2E 120gb with a speed of 285mb/s. I think Im going to be in shock when I experience it!

I am also getting the Seagate Momentus XT 500gb hybrid drive for my D: drive.

One thing SSD users should do is disable pagefile and the windows defrag scheduler.

 

[A320]

we need to verify that TRIM is active. At a command prompt (start/run/cmd), type the following:

fsutil.exe behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

It should respond back with DisableDeleteNotify=0 if trim support is ready and active.
If it is not, type:

fsutil.exe behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

Thanks! I forgot but I had actually already followed that guide and done this!

So are these no's fairly good for an Intel X25-M?

 

[A320]

You will lose trim support with raid....

What about this?

Intel release TRIM for RAID | bit-tech.net

 

[Wishmaster]

One thing SSD users should do is disable pagefile and the windows defrag scheduler.

Windows Defrag, YES.

Pagefile, No.

If you want to conserve space on the SSD, I would make a small 500MB or so on the SSD, and a main/regular PF on a secondary drive.
But not disable it entirely.

I also disable and delete the Hibernate file.

 

[pparks1]

I've read that two of these suckers in a RAID-0 setup really rocks but I can't afford it right now.

It really boosts your sustained read speeds......but that isn't primarily the reason that SSD's are so fast. SSD's are fast because of very low (0.1ms) random access times. Those don't improve with a RAID0 setup. An extremely fast sequential read speed isn't that important for your OS drive as you deal primarily with small reads and writes.

I'd suggest at least 80GB for the OS drive. You don't want to just run the OS from this drive, but as many programs and games as possible. Games for example, really take advantage of that sequential read speeds as they often do load very large files. I'd say game load times are the biggest bang for the buck that I get out of my SSD.

I've got the 80GB intel X25-M G2. I keep a light load on my box and a game or two...and I'm usually around 40+ GB free.

 

[Airbot]

You will lose trim support with raid....

What about this?

Intel release TRIM for RAID | bit-tech.net

Think that article is incorrect. Doesn't pass the trim command to ssd drives in RAID. If there was trim with a raid setup, it would be all over the place in a matter of days. Read all the comments on the article, specifically the one by XeroNXS.

 

[A320]

Hmmm not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'm already at half left with no games and I just did a fresh install!

To be fair, I have 2 video editors + music production software so maybe that's where I'm losing my space so quickly.

I have moved the windows TEMP file, and the workable folders for the video editors to another drive, deleted my hibernation file.

I'd like to install a game or two as well to try out the performance.

So "pparks1" from what you're saying, setting up a RAID0 in my case would only yield noticeable differences when doing longer loads for instance like a game or MS Flight Simulator, but loading up my browsers, video software, media monkey, etc, won't happen any quicker because random access times (the short bursts) won't change much?

 

[pparks1]

So "pparks1" from what you're saying, setting up a RAID0 in my case would only yield noticeable differences when doing longer loads for instance like a game or MS Flight Simulator, but loading up my browsers, video software, media monkey, etc, won't happen any quicker because random access times (the short bursts) won't change much?

Yes, that's what I am saying. I've used RAID setups in the past when dealing with very large files and video files. So, for example, if I copy a 25GB AVI file from C:\folder1 to C:\folder2...on a RAID0 config...the difference is substantial. So, in storage situations...these increased sustained throughput numbers really matter.

But for your OS and most apps you open...they are very small random reads. Thus, it's the random access times of 0.1ms across the entire SSD drive which provides the huge benefit. This number is not going to decrease in a RAID0 array.