SSD Dilemma

ssmacc · 22 Mar 2011 at 10:47

I’m going to buy a SSD in the next couple of hours (I want it tomorrow!).

It’s for a HTPC, with a 880G chipset (SATA III), I’m thinking OS only so 60GB should be enough. However, looking at the specs the 128GB drives look quicker…(especially the C300).

I just don’t know which to get!

60GB SATAII with slower reads but better writes
60GB SATAIII with slower writes but better reads

Or stretch to a 128GB C300…

I know this is mainly ramblings but any advice would be welcome…

(would the difference between the SATAII and III drives even be noticeable…)

Thanks

Mr Krugga · 22 Mar 2011 at 10:54

Stretch to C300 128GB, you'll like the extra space

Muel · 22 Mar 2011 at 11:24

Or 2x 64gb in RAID0...

ssmacc · 22 Mar 2011 at 11:58

I've gone for the C300 128GB...

Am I write in assuming a connect the drive boot into Windows 7, update the firmware (from Windows), then re-boot and install the OS on the C300 as normal?

Do I need to do a format at the install screen?

(any quick advice appreciated, I’ll Google for details)

Vir · 22 Mar 2011 at 13:01

Congratulations, I'm sure you'll like a SSD. I love mine.
Though I must say I don't see any reason for buying a SSD for a HTPC, let alone putting them in RAID...
Why anyone would go for a SSD and not let's say two 1TB F3's for a HTPC is beyond me, so I'm wondering why a SSD?

Chiribo · 22 Mar 2011 at 13:11

ssmacc said:
I've gone for the C300 128GB...

Am I write in assuming a connect the drive boot into Windows 7, update the firmware (from Windows), then re-boot and install the OS on the C300 as normal?

Do I need to do a format at the install screen?

(any quick advice appreciated, I’ll Google for details)

Read the instructions for upgrading of the firmware. You update them via DOS and the drive has to be plugged into a SATA II port and running in ATA rather than AHCI.
Like I say, read the instructions, properly.

Other than that, yeh just install W7 as per normal. And tbh I would've said that as it's only for HTPC, you should've just gone with 64GB. Just how much longer would it take to open (and more space do you need) up a media player that's only a few meg in size anyway

?

ssmacc · 22 Mar 2011 at 13:18

Vir said:
Congratulations, I'm sure you'll like a SSD. I love mine.
Though I must say I don't see any reason for buying a SSD for a HTPC, let alone putting them in RAID...
Why anyone would go for a SSD and not let's say two 1TB F3's for a HTPC is beyond me, so I'm wondering why a SSD?

Hello,

It is going in HTPC, but Office is installed and I browse the web etc frequently on the PC, had a couple of gift vouchers burning a hole in my pocket, SSD seemed a decent option.

Thanks for the advice!