SOLVED Need a new SSD

[Viper69]

My rig below in sig file has finally filled up on the SSD. I only have 3 gigs left. It's been years since I built this.

I'd like to get a larger SSD, but I've been out the PC world for a while (other hobbies etc)

Questions:

1. What brands and sizes should I look at? I don't intend upon building a new rig anytime soon. But when I do, I'll probably take the new drive and drop it into the new rig. Though by then, there will newer SSDs out.

2. What is the best way of going about transferring the contents and OS of this drive to the new drive? I like Win7, I'm not changing YET.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Janus67]

Because your board wouldn't support nvme/m2 drives your best bet is getting a large SATA SSD (Samsung Evo is recommended a lot) fitting whatever size meets your budget. Generally imagine about $100/TB on sale

 

[Viper69]

Because your board wouldn't support nvme/m2 drives your best bet is getting a large SATA SSD (Samsung Evo is recommended a lot) fitting whatever size meets your budget. Generally imagine about $100/TB on sale

Thanks Janus, glad you are still around. I'll take a look.

Curious, can I clone my drive and drop it onto a larger SSD??

This is what I found https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-evo-series-1tb/p/N82E16820147673

I saw this one as well https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-qvo-series-1tb/p/N82E16820147738


I would think they are compatible....? Not sure what the difference is yet.

 

[dejo]

if you go with the samsung drives- they have an app called "samsung data migration" that should transfer everything to it, and quickly and easily

 

[Janus67]

Thanks Janus, glad you are still around. I'll take a look.

Curious, can I clone my drive and drop it onto a larger SSD??

This is what I found https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-evo-series-1tb/p/N82E16820147673

I saw this one as well https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-qvo-series-1tb/p/N82E16820147738


I would think they are compatible....? Not sure what the difference is yet.

https://thepcenthusiast.com/samsung-860-qvo-vs-860-evo-vs-860-pro-ssd-review/

I think that article does a really good job breaking down the difference between the QVO (quad-layer, 4-bit NAND), EVO (MLC, 3-bit tri-layer NAND), PRO (MLC, dual-layer 2-bit NAND)

 

[trents]

If you don't go with a Samsung SSD, there is a free program called Mini Tool Partition Wizard that has a nice cloning tool built-in. I use it all the time to do exactly what you want to do. I'm assuming it will work in Windows 7.

 

[HankB]

Another brand IMO worth considering is Crucial. They seem to have a good reputation and I've generally had good luck with them.

That said, no SSD is going to be 100% free from malfunctions. Some time ago I had an apparent sector go bad om a Crucial M4 (out of warranty.) I expected the SSD firmware to remap it but it did not until I forced it by writing to the raw device to fill it with data. It's back in service - light duty as it is connected to a Raspberry Pi with a USB 2 adapter. Right now I'm in the process of RMAing a Samsung 850 EVO that is malfunctioning. After a couple hours of operation it stops responding to the system. It's about 4 years old so still within the warranty window. I think this is a (drive) controller failure rather than a flash failure because following a power cycle it comes back on line with no apparent issues. This is particularly helpful as it allows me to get one more backup before sending the drive back.

Neither of these malfunctions would cause me to stop purchasing Crucial or Samsung SSDs.

Edit: FWIW, The Samsung RMA process went smoothly and they promptly replaced the failing 850 EVO with a refurbished 860 EVO. This one had 12 hours of power on time and 0.73 TB written. Warranted lifetime is 300 TBW. I remain happy with Samsung SSDs. I filled it with data and checked it (ZFS scrub) and all is good.

 

[Viper69]

Thanks a lot guys. As I said, I've been out of the hobby for a while, all of this is super helpful.

- - - Auto-Merged Double Post - - -

https://thepcenthusiast.com/samsung-860-qvo-vs-860-evo-vs-860-pro-ssd-review/

I think that article does a really good job breaking down the difference between the QVO (quad-layer, 4-bit NAND), EVO (MLC, 3-bit tri-layer NAND), PRO (MLC, dual-layer 2-bit NAND)

Thanks a lot!!

- - - Auto-Merged Double Post - - -

If you don't go with a Samsung SSD, there is a free program called Mini Tool Partition Wizard that has a nice cloning tool built-in. I use it all the time to do exactly what you want to do. I'm assuming it will work in Windows 7.

Thanks a lot, I've not heard of that one before. Nice to see you are still around as well.

 

[Viper69]

Quick question --

I was thinking of purchasing this Corsair 2.5" to 3.5" adapter > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/corsai...id-state-drives-black/6033200.p?skuId=6033200

Would any 3.5" to 5.25" work for this Corsair product in order to put my drive into an unused 5.25" slot? I would think so, but thought I'd ask.

Was going more searching and found this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007C1KPQY

 

[trents]

The screw mounting holes in all SSDs are in the same position so it should work.