SSD disk

[ElvenKind]

Hi all!

I would like to get me a SSD for my PC, the nearest PC shop to my home with SSD has these:
http://www.links.hr/?option=katList&...ategorija=0514

I have:

Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit

Intel i5 760, 2.8 Ghz QCore

HDD Western Digital AV-GP 10EURS, 1 TB, SATA II, 64 MB, 3.5˝, IntelliSeek rpm

M. Board ASUS P7P55D PRO

I am new to SSD, and would like to know is there some minimum GB capacity which I need, 80 GB, 120 GB etc.?

Thanks,

[Bolkonsky]

120 is a comfortable size for an operating system and a couple of games.

[ElvenKind]

120 is a comfortable size for an operating system and a couple of games.

I have enough money for 240 GB, so if 120 is a good size, then I won`t make an error with 240. Thank u for your reply +rep
Do I have to get a 3.5˝ SSD, or I can go with any of 2.5˝?

[paradamed]

Ive never seen 3.5 ssd. But if they exist it makes no difference. Since ssds have no moving parts you can place them wherever you want in your case. All ssds Ive seen are 2.5 inch. If you have a 2.5 inch bay put them there. If you dont you some ssds come with adaptors. Or you can simply use double sided tape and put them anywhere in your case, just stick them anywhere you want and plug the sata connectors and you are good to go.

[karamazovmm]

3.5'' sdds exist they are made by ocz, have a large capacity (at the time).

I always advise for crucial or samsung, but seeing the link its a though proposition for you. Have you thought about buying from the US? I know B&H photo and provantage deliver to brazil, dunno about croatia.

[ElvenKind]

Well, that list is from a shop which is like 100 meters from my home, but there are others in my country which have online delivery, it arrives a day or two after purchase. I could browse for some Samsung or better.

@Paradamed, thanks for the double-side tape tip, I was wondering where and how to put SSD!

EDIT: After I put SSD, can I restore Windows with my current settings from my System Backup which is on my External Drive?

[abbews]

I would personally recommend Samsung first hand and Intel second.

[ElvenKind]

I would personally recommend Samsung first hand and Intel second.

Thanks for recommendation

After putting SSD, only way to install my Windows back is by using my DVD version, or I can put them back from my BACKUP which I placed on my External HDD drive?

[Bolkonsky]

Samsung is consistently topping the charts in read speeds, so I second that recommendation.

[karamazovmm]

For the backup made by windows you need to install windows first. If you have a usb thumbdrive install of windows, use that, you will never will see a faster install.

[ElvenKind]

Thank u guys for the info!

I will search for the Samsung SSD then! I have already seen some in my country's stores, the 240 GB are super expensive lol, but 120 GB fits into my budget. There is one with TRIM, I have read that I should look for the ones with that feature?

[karamazovmm]

all of them have trim

[ElvenKind]

I have decided to take this Intel`s SSD, and one question though, my motherboard (this one ) has SATA 3Gb/s support, while this SSD is SATA 6Gb/s.. does that mean I will experience lack in write/read speed?
Will my motherboard work with this SSD?

[karamazovmm]

yes its going to work, i advise you to go for the samsung 830 or 840 pro for performance or the crucial m4. intel might do their own firmware, but its not enough to overcome the controller issues.

[ElvenKind]

A lot of people have been reporting issues with sandforce controllers. I would choose another ssd just in case. I have a corsair with a sandforce controller and have not witnessed any problems so far but if I had the info before I bought it I would have chosen another controller just to stay on the safe side.

yes its going to work, i advise you to go for the samsung 830 or 840 pro for performance or the crucial m4. intel might do their own firmware, but its not enough to overcome the controller issues.

OK, I have followed your advice and didn`t go for SSD with sandforce controller, instead have ordered this Samsung 830 256 GB.
Thanks for your advices guys.

[paradamed]

A lot of people have been reporting issues with sandforce controllers. I would choose another ssd just in case. I have a corsair with a sandforce controller and have not witnessed any problems so far but if I had the info before I bought it I would have chosen another controller just to stay on the safe side.

[karamazovmm]

you should wait for deals, while its at a good price I have seen it at 150

[ElvenKind]

you should wait for deals, while its at a good price I have seen it at 150

The problem is Newegg doesn`t currently ship internationally , they only deliver to locations within the United States and to Puerto Rico.
The cheapest in my country is around 270 $. My country sucks in some areas.

Anyway, I have a new question, I have 1.5 years old 1 TB HDD, divided in two partitions.

One is C: with my OS installed on it (161 GB used of total 406 GB) and D: ( 210 GB used of 525 GB total).

I want to put my OS on this new SSD, but keep my current HDD as storage. I have read about Norton Ghost and it`s cloning ability, but, if I use it, do I have to make a backup of my games, documents, and important stuff which are on my C: , and a backup of my games and stuff which are on D: drive (partition)?

Or I don`t have to make a backup if I make a FRESH install of Windows 7 on this new SSD?

Any info would be nice. Thanks,

[karamazovmm]

people report problems using norton ghost and the samsung 830. I dont like cloning at all.

So yes, fresh install is the best measure.

then install the games, put your saves from the HDD to the SSD, backup the HDD and format it.

btw some stores like B&H and provantage ship internationally, check if the price after import duties and shipping is worth it for me it usually is.

[ElvenKind]

people report problems using norton ghost and the samsung 830. I dont like cloning at all.

So yes, fresh install is the best measure.

then install the games, put your saves from the HDD to the SSD, backup the HDD and format it.

btw some stores like B&H and provantage ship internationally, check if the price after import duties and shipping is worth it for me it usually is.

Thanks about installation info, I think I will do fresh OS installation at the end.
I have just checked prices from B&H and provantage, total price from Provantage with taxes and shipping is just few $ lower than cheapest in my country, while B&H is 15 $ more expensive.
It doesn`t make much of a difference for me atm.