Thinking of buying SSD - (to replace 500GB HD) - any advise?

[shiphen]

Hi

My hard disk has just blown and I need to replace it.

(Symptoms: BSOD, followed by "There is a fault on your hard drive" / "Cant find operating system" etc)

Background:
My old hard disk is a 500GB Barracuda (ES.2 SATA 3.0-Gb/s, Cache:32MB, running at 720RPM, Model: ST3500320NS) and I would like something at least as fast. I will also need at least c.500GB of disk space.

Two years ago when I bought my disk I was advised that SSD are slightly unreliable particularly if you read/write to the same part of the drive too much. However considering many new laptops seem to have JUST an SSD rather than a hard disk, we have to assume that these reliability problems have been solved.

Please can you advise on:

A) Is SSD is now 'reliable'?

B) Should I buy both a HD as well as a SSD?

C) And if so, what is the best way to configure the two drives? (e.g. Data on HD, but Win7 (x64) Pro on SSD??)

Many thanks

J

P.S. Is there any easy way to transfer the entire existing Win7 installation onto the new drive(s). e.g. by using Restore? Or would I definitely be better installing Win7 from scratch??

 

[Pauly]

Hi there, dont think reliabilty problems of SSD are a problem

I personally have a SSD for OS & a 1TB drive for data and backup etc, this is prob the best option for you if you need min 500gb space

Size and brands are all down to how much you want to spend i have gone for a vortex SSD but i know a lot of people prefer Intel variants

Also i would always do a fresh install on a new drive, if your old drive has problems you wont know how much data your gonna get of it until you try

 

[windude99]

I also have an ssd and it is great. It is one of the best things you can get for your compuetr to boost its performance. This should help you with your ssd: Sean's Windows 7 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

 

[OldMX]

Just dont rely completely on the ssd, my advise, take it or dump it, is to get both a ssd and a mechanical, one for OS/Applications and the second one for backups/personal stuff.

 

[shiphen]

Thanks guys

I have discovered that I can get a 300GB Intel SSD (3GB/sec transfer rate) with a 5 year guarantee for about £350 - which would be within budget.

Btw, my genuine data is only about 2.5 GB... so I am now tempted to put everying on the SSD.
i.e. All my data AND the Win7 (x64) installation and all program files all on the same SSD (and I would abandon the need for an internal Hard Disk). Is there any good reason NOT to do this?

Fwiw, currently I do daily backing up by sync-ing with my latop. For occasional archiving and I have two Iomega 1.0 terrabyte external hard disks that I copy everything to - and which are effectively mirrors of each other.

I have been advised to re-install everything from scratch which will be a mighty pain - but I suppose worth it in the end. Meanwhile I'll read that Sean's link which looks promising and revert.

Cheers

J

 

[bigmck]

I plan to get an SSD before the end of the year. I am only getting a 120 GB so I will have a HD also. Since you are getting a 300 GB and only have a small amount of data, I don't see any reason for another drive. Just put everything on the SSD and do the backup as you describe.

 

[pparks1]

You won't get 3GB/sec from any SSD drive. The SATA II spec allows for 3.0Gbps (but that's gigabits per second).