Trying to build a new box based around SDD

Sympatex

Sympatex

Sympatex

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10 Dec 2009
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Hi all, hopefully someone can help. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.
I need to build a new computer because mine is now 8 years old and no amount of additional memory is helping. It's slow and angry!

I mainly use the computer for browsing the net, and quakelive so i don't think i need a particularly powerful computer but i would like scope in the future to replace the CPU & memory to quicker components if my needs change.

I'd ideally like it in a small form factor, but not essential, could be a slimline desktop style. (HTPC?)

My budget really is about £500, but thats flexible for the right components.

I want an SDD for the boot drive as i've heard some great things about them and from research i actually probably need two? or at least another hard drive to store music, games, videos? Apps & windows go on the SDD?

finally i would need wireless fucntionality, there's not much salvageable from my current computer except the wireless card i expect! I will buy windows 7 as the OS.

Thanks for any help.
 
This would do you just fine.If you want a smaller case than that you could go for the Coolermaster Elite 360 Mini Tower.
pc51.png
 
Thanks for taking the time to look at this for me Ast3r.
A few questions,
Do i need an adaptor for the SSD for STAT2 or whatever, i read somewhere on the forum about having to order an additional part because the mobo / SDD doesn't come with it?
also is there an intel equivellent as i've been very happy with my intel chipset and the AMD i had before it was quite troublesom, i accept AMD is better value/performance though. Just had a bad time with my old Athlon!
My keyboard, mouse and soundstuff i think i can reuse so ican save some pennies there.
 
The SSD has SATA II interface so you can use a normal SATA II cable.You said you want something future proof.AM3 is the best option.You can still get something on sk775 but Intel stopped making CPUs for that socket as its outdated.And don't worry about AMD they're CPUs have come a long way since Athlon so you won't have any kind of problems with the setup.
 
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I wouldn't be looking at that SSD.

Check out the Crucial M225 or Intel X25MG2 - it will add between £70-£100 to the cost, but they really are your best options for performance & support.
 
The 64GB Crucial M225 costs 170 quid and the 80GB Intel X25M 190 quid.For a 500 quid system I think that the pointed SSD would be the best option.
 
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I know, but those SSDs are pretty poor comparatively. I'd be tempted to forget the SSD entirely rather than one of them.

Rationale being;
- Slow drives
- No firmware updates
- No TRIM support
- No manual TRIM tools
- Based around the JMicron controller, which is known to stutter though it has been improved with updates to firmware and cache memory in these models.

Sorry, but I just don't think that drive is a good choice, and at least the OP should at least have the opportunity to find out more info before spending the cash.
 
Yeah I think ChileanLlama is right maybe it would be best to just forget about the SSD and get a better CPU or a better mobo.
 
hmm or look around and buy the 40gb ssd from kingston. those drives use the intel controller and represent great value for money, thered be enough space on it for the OS a few programs and games too.
 
I fancy boys said:
hmm or look around and buy the 40gb ssd from kingston. those drives use the intel controller and represent great value for money, thered be enough space on it for the OS a few programs and games too.
Click to expand...

If you can find one. Very, very hard to get ATM. Trust me, I've been looking for the last 5 days. I gave up in the end...
 
Thanks for your replies. I'm keen about the SSD because i can use that in all future upgrades. I'm only likely to upgrade once with the mobo and cpu where as i could keep the SDD for several upgrades?

i'll look up the intel controlled SSD's? If they represent trobule free computing for the next 8 years like the last one i built i don't mind!

TIA
 
Since your getting a hdd anyway any sound advantages are lost, why not save the money wait till the hardware is mature and tested - ssds slow down over time with more things on them
 
Sympatex said:
Thanks for your replies. I'm keen about the SSD because i can use that in all future upgrades. I'm only likely to upgrade once with the mobo and cpu where as i could keep the SDD for several upgrades?

i'll look up the intel controlled SSD's? If they represent trobule free computing for the next 8 years like the last one i built i don't mind!

TIA
Click to expand...

Then, at the moment, you really do need to consider an Intel X25MG2 80GB, Crucial M225 64GB or Kingston SSDNow V 40GB.

All these drives perform well, support TRIM (which avoids degradation over time) in Windows 7 and have decent warranties. The Crucial has 5, the others 3 years. If you're planning to keep a drive for such a long time, and don't want hassle, then TRIM and a good warranty should be important to you.

Be aware though, that these are relatively new drives and the manufacturers specs suggest they should last the lifespan you want, but the memory cells in these drives wear out over a period of time (each cell has a limited number of writes, unlimited number of reads before they die and the drive will start losing capacity). If the manufacturers specs are correct then it shouldn't be an issue, but it's too early to say with confidence.

There are other drives based around the Indilinx controller in the Crucial - and should be considered as well, but at the moment these tend to be more expensive.
 
Thanks Chillean & wak.

My reasoning behind SSD over HDD wasn't sound wak, it was to support fast boot & web browsing for the lifetime of my computer.
I'm pretty sure my hdd has just ground slower and slower. My intention was once built i would image my computer with just the web browser and windows installed and plonk all new stuff which i'd get for free off the net (quakelive) onto a HDD. I could then whenever i want to reinstal my computer to how it was with minimal hassel. And have a fresh performing PC again, am i wrong i nthinking this is possible?
 
Yep that's possible, you can do that with a normal HD too though. If you were installing apps to the 2nd HD, you'd still have to reinstall them after restoring your SSD/OS drive in a lot of cases. But if it was just standalone apps and data on your 2nd HD then no problems.
 
Yep that would be fine Chillean, i don't use my computer for much but it's been annoying me for a while how slow its got, after running all the virus scans, defrags, spyware, adware checks. I need to format but i'd lose everythign i want to start again in a fresh organised way!
I'll probably rather than buy a new hdd is use my old hdd as a slave, has all my music, games and aps on which are rarely used now.
Thanks for your help, i think i might use the crucial SSD because of its extended warranty.
 
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