SOLVED Upgrading my PC, this step: SSD

[Duuster]

Hi Overclockers!

I just got a bonus from my free-time job and I'm currently upgrading my 3 year old PC. Now I've only done 3 things so far, which is a new cooler for my processor, NH-D14 (Can highly recommend it, it's an eargasm when you're used to a loud PC), upgrading my ram from 4gb to 8gb, and overclocking both video card and processor. Now this highly increased my gaming experience. But i want my computer to run more smooth. So i've been thinking about upgrading to a SSD. Now where i live we have much higher taxes, and my budget for a good SSD would therefor be around 130 USD where most of you live (USA). Now what I'm going to do, is installing the SSD, installing windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit on it, making it default booting device, and use the HDD for large files, like huge games and movies. So if you would suggest a good fast ssd for around 140 dollars, preferably with 120 gb (can be more) and with the trim function? I heard it's a good function to have on a ssd (i might be outdated). And also tips how to have the ssd running as fast as possible, while using the HDD just like an usb harddrive. And tips for making sure i have quite even components in my PC would also be greatly appreciated (what i mean is that one component won't slow down my computer so the other components won't be able to show its true power, and I'm going to upgrade my GPU, so I will create a separate thread for that). And almost forgot, cheap, silent and efficient fans for my PSU and case (just a fan-brand)

PC Specs:
Processor and heatsink: AMD Phenom II x4 965 Black Edition 3.4 GHz OC to 3.8 Ghz with NH-D14 Cooler.
Ram: 2x4Gb Crucial DDR3 1333 Mhz
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5850 OC to 1050 MHz.
Harddisk: WDC WD5000AADS-00S9B0 ATA 500 GB.
Power supply: 600 W
Motherboard: ASrock M3N78D

*Update: Just realised it's much more expensive in my country than yours. I looked at this one:
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology-2-5-Inch-Industrys-Warranty/dp/B007R1FH3K
It's on sale on amazon but it's too expensive for me to get it to Denmark. But it's in my budget in Denmark If you have a better suggestion for 130 dollars please bring em.

Danish website:
http://www.komplett.dk/k/kl.aspx?bn=11126
It's between the price range 500-1500,- if you understand the website. I've been thinking about it, and I would like to have a 250 gb if not too expensive. Please everyone look on that website, see if there's anything amazing, preferably 250 gb with a price between 500-1500,-. I've been thinking about this one: http://www.komplett.dk/k/ki.aspx?sku=765973 (found it for 1300,- on another website) Please give response!

 

[ninjacore]

Will you be ordering from Amazon and shipping internationally or do you have a link to a store in Denmark where we can browse by price?

Not sure what the prices would be for you, but the Samsung 830 and Crucial M4 are considered top picks for SSDs and if the $90 Vertex4 being in your price range is an indication of what the comparable price would need to be in USD, then the Samsung and Crucial can both be found in that range.

 

[txus.palacios]

Crucial m4 128GB should be enough for you. It's been rock solid, excluding Crucial going bananas with the "hurr durr, no more CD firmware upgrades, you must run Windows software to upgrade your SSD, hurr durr".

 

[CaNsA]

Crucial m4 128GB should be enough for you. It's been rock solid

Seconded.

My rig is a 24/7 runner with Win7 on a Crucial m4 128GB.
No problems here.

 

[I.M.O.G.]

Should we still be recommending the Crucial M4? It is a good drive, but newer drives are looking like they may be trumping it.

I understand its been popular for a long time, but I linked someone to a graph just two days ago where the M4 was in the bottom half of a dozen drive roundup on Anandtech.com.

Unfortunately, that review has since been pulled:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6437/rescheduling-the-intel-ssd-dc-s3700-review

It was page 7 of this review, before all the testing and particulars were removed due to the embargo explained in the previous link:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6432/the-intel-ssd-dc-s3700-intels-3rd-generation-controller-analyzed

I'm not saying the recommendations are wrong, or bad, I just wanted to bring this up so maybe more of us were aware of whats coming. Anand's statements in the s3700 review were very positive.

 

[Duuster]

Will you be ordering from Amazon and shipping internationally or do you have a link to a store in Denmark where we can browse by price?

Not sure what the prices would be for you, but the Samsung 830 and Crucial M4 are considered top picks for SSDs and if the $90 Vertex4 being in your price range is an indication of what the comparable price would need to be in USD, then the Samsung and Crucial can both be found in that range.

http://www.komplett.dk/k/kl.aspx?bn=11126

It's between the price range 500-1500,- if you understand the website I've been thinking about it, and I would like to have a 250 gb if not too expensive. Please everyone look on that website, see if there's anything amazing, preferably 250 gb with a price between 500-1500,-. I've been thinking about this one: http://www.komplett.dk/k/ki.aspx?sku=765973 (found it for 1300,- on another website) Please give response!

 

[Mr Alpha]

Should we still be recommending the Crucial M4? It is a good drive, but newer drives are looking like they may be trumping it.

I understand its been popular for a long time, but I linked someone to a graph just two days ago where the M4 was in the bottom half of a dozen drive roundup on Anandtech.com.

Unfortunately, that review has since been pulled:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6437/rescheduling-the-intel-ssd-dc-s3700-review

It was page 7 of this review, before all the testing and particulars were removed due to the embargo explained in the previous link:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6432/the-intel-ssd-dc-s3700-intels-3rd-generation-controller-analyzed

I'm not saying the recommendations are wrong, or bad, I just wanted to bring this up so maybe more of us were aware of whats coming. Anand's statements in the s3700 review were very positive.

The Crucial drive in that review is not the m4. They are talking about the Mircon p400e. The review is of enterprise drives. Nothing you should ever be putting in you desktop computer. It is a completely different price point.

 

[Duuster]

The Crucial drive in that review is not the m4. They are talking about the Mircon p400e. The review is of enterprise drives. Nothing you should ever be putting in you desktop computer. It is a completely different price point.

Would this one (Crucial M4 256 gb) be better than the samsung 840 256 gb (not the pro version, too expensive). I'm also going to add the samsung 830 256 gb, but I'm guessing it's outdated.

Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT256M4SSD2
Samsung 840: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-7TD250BW-features
Samsung 830: http://www.samsung.com/dk/consumer/computer-peripherals/ssd/ssd/MZ-7PC256D/EU

 

[Mr Alpha]

Would this one (Crucial M4 256 gb) be better than the samsung 840 256 gb (not the pro version, too expensive). I'm also going to add the samsung 830 256 gb, but I'm guessing it's outdated.

Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT256M4SSD2
Samsung 840: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-7TD250BW-features
Samsung 830: http://www.samsung.com/dk/consumer/computer-peripherals/ssd/ssd/MZ-7PC256D/EU

I would still pick the Samsung over the Crucial drives. The Samsung 830 is also a really good option. The 840 Pro is sort of the replacement for the 830, while the 840 is a new more affordable model.

 

[Duuster]

I would still pick the Samsung over the Crucial drives. The Samsung 830 is also a really good option. The 840 Pro is sort of the replacement for the 830, while the 840 is a new more affordable model.

So you're saying the 830 is better than the 840? And will I be able to install the ssd with no operating system? I mean just install windows 7 on the ssd, without using the HDD for anything untill the ssd is bootable.

 

[txus.palacios]

That drive might be good, but $235 for 100GB isn't a price I'd like to pay. I'd rather get a 256GB 840 Pro for that price, but, as Mr Alpha stated, it's an enterprise drive.

So you're saying the 830 is better than the 840? And will I be able to install the ssd with no operating system? I mean just install windows 7 on the ssd, without using the HDD for anything untill the ssd is bootable.

Yes. The 830 is better than the 840 but worse than the 840 Pro. I don't understand what your point is. You can install Windows 7 to the SSD and use the HDD for nothing 'til Win7 is rocking. Hey, you could even remove the HDD while installing.

 

[Duuster]

That drive might be good, but $235 for 100GB isn't a price I'd like to pay. I'd rather get a 256GB 840 Pro for that price, but, as Mr Alpha stated, it's an enterprise drive.



Yes. The 830 is better than the 840 but worse than the 840 Pro. I don't understand what your point is. You can install Windows 7 to the SSD and use the HDD for nothing 'til Win7 is rocking. Hey, you could even remove the HDD while installing.

It's just because the SSD comes with a cd to install, and says it requires a certain os like windows xp-windows 7. I guess it just confused me the fact that it said it required an OS. But thank you for the help, I think I will get the 830.

 

[Duuster]

http://www.komplett.dk/k/ki.aspx?sku=648574
It's my lucky day, the desktop kit is on sale.

 

[txus.palacios]

What do you want the desktop kit for?

 

[Duuster]

What do you want the desktop kit for?

Getting the plate that makes it fit into my hard drive spot, and some free wires. It's only 1 dollar more than the original since it's on sale so why not? Just realized that my motherboard doesn't support SATA 3.0, so untill i get a new motherboard it will only run at 300 mb/s, but it's still a lot of speed. I just looked it up quickly and found this awesome motherboard that's really cheap as well, the ASRock 970 Extreme3. If someone sees something on my specs that doesn't work with this motherboard please tell me. The am3+ socket should be working with my AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE right?

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970 Extreme3/?cat=Specifications

 

[txus.palacios]

Meh, for a dollar it's a no brainer, but usually you can stick the SSD somewhere and save that coin.

 

[Duuster]

Finally purchased the Samsung 830 series 256 gb MZ-7PC256D. I would like to thank everyone on their tips and suggestions, this is a really good forum. Shout out and thanks to Nittenti who PM'ed me about the danish market, great help aswell.

Thanks
Duuster