SSD Newbie

Kerplunk

Kerplunk

Kerplunk

Soldato
Joined
10 Jan 2006
Posts
9,439
Location
Bournemouth tbh
Ill be getting my first SSD and just wondered is it just literally like plugging in a hard disk? And I assume you have one along with a normal SATA hard disk?

Basically, Anything I should know? tips etc... :)
 
You could read the several threads that have appeared over the last few days which are full of good tips etc which should ensure you have a trouble free installation. :)
 
Some basic things are, make sure the BIOS is set to AHCI or RAID and plug the SSD into the first SATA port.
Install the OS on the SSD and use the HDD for a data drive. Win 7 will automatically format the drive.
Once you have installed the drive check the firmware with something like Crystal Disk Info and then see if there are any updates for the drive.
Gasp in awe at your PC rebooting to a working desktop in about 20 seconds :P
 
As Vimes says, loads of threads already knocking around on this sort of issue, SEARCH is your friend here (EG. http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18319075&highlight=SSD ). Most manufacturers of SSD's also have guides / FAQs on their WEB sites. Definitely worth looking at the relative manufacturers WEB site prior to purchase (almost always a user forum there). This will give you an insight to whether any particular drive has any "foibles etc.".

For example... for OCZ drives:

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/index.php

and for Crucial drives:

http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/bd-p/ssd

Good luck :):):)
 
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I'd probably agree with the recommendation for the Crucial M4 "at the moment". And that's from the owner of an OCZ SSD. Fair enough a generation 2 drive, but I've had zero issues with mine.

Also not sure if sleep/hibernate is that much of an issue anyway any longer (and it's not just OCZ drives that have had issues in this area!). Though I am aware from the OCZ Sandforce forum, that some people still have issues in this area. Though it's really a none issue if you switch it off anyway, like I've done from day one.

But if buying a drive now, I would probably give the Crucial drive a thumbs up.
 
Having just experienced my Vertex 2E failing to wake from a S3 sleep, and reading of the many many other within the OCZ forums, I was hesitant from buying another. This also applies to the Corsair drives.
Even though the Vertex drive was 12 months old my retailer went way above and beyond what they had to do and instantly swapped it out for a brand new M4, so I was well chuffed. Fitted my M4 yesterday when I got back from my retailer and it already ahd the latest firmware and seems to work fine, then again so did the Vertex.
On paper the drives with Sandforce controller perform really well and for me mine worked for 12 months solid. But if the Sandforce controllers seem to be problematic over that of, for example, the Marvell I can't see a point in buying one.
The Plextor SSD's also use the Marvell controller and I have one in my HTPC.
 
Vimes said:
Having just experienced my Vertex 2E failing to wake from a S3 sleep, and reading of the many many other within the OCZ forums, I was hesitant from buying another. This also applies to the Corsair drives.
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Click to expand...

Bummer... Mines just coming up for a year old :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Though I think I've maybe mitigated this potential problem by having sleep/hibernate/power down disabled since day one. Not that I should have to of course to guarantee a trouble free life!

While I would from a personal point of view quite fancy a gen 3 drive, I can't justify it. As I suspect in day to day use, I would notice little or nothing over what I currently have. I think that I will wait for price / GB to come down a fair bit (not really happened yet) so that I can afford a larger SSD for data maybe.
 
Ok, I have it installed and it seems pretty quick! :)

But, how do I monitor it and see some numbers etc as to how it is performing? :)
 
Ok, can someone analyse these - are these good? Not sure what the second one shows with all those erros!?? is that ok??

Dg4va.png


KqXzb.png
 
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