First SSD, installation and setup

[tcsenter]

Got in on some of the Black Friday through Cyber Monday deals on SSD. So do these things come already over-provisioned from the factory and all that? Do I just plug in and install the OS like a regular HDD, assuming my mobo and OS support SSD (e.g. 4K sector alignment)? TIA!

 

[IronWing]

Some are already OPed, others aren't. Which brand and model? Which OS?

 

[tcsenter]

Intel 730 and Crucial M500. Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) install bits. It will be clean/full install so no legacy worries with an older install.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Toss them in, set your SATA mode to AHCI and install.

 

[MongGrel]

Toss them in, set your SATA mode to AHCI and install.

Pretty much, the newer ones are like installing to a regular HDD.

 

[HOSED]

I have the 960 GB version of the M500, http://www.anandtech.com/show/6884/crucial-micron-m500-review-960gb-480gb-240gb-120gb/2
I went with ~10% OP ---- 90 GB
There is some great info re the 730 http://www.anandtech.com/show/7803/intel-ssd-730-480gb-review/2

 

[slumbarr]

Isn't it sort of plug and play?

 

[Data-Medics]

Isn't it sort of plug and play?

The new ones yes. The older ones you could set the amount of over provisioned space through a utility. Now it's already pre-configured and can't be changed on most SSD's.

 

[slumbarr]

Which ones do you recommend right now?

 

[Charlie98]

Which ones do you recommend right now?

Whatever is on sale... :sneaky:

Depends on what you are using it for and what your budget and storage requirements are going to be. Something often overlooked is proper sizing of an SSD... even with overprovisioning it's a good idea to leave 20-25% of the drive empty so it can operate properly. In other words, don't buy a 120GB SSD... and fill it to 110GB.

 

[tcsenter]

I used the Intel 730 for this PC instead of the Crucial (I have both) because the PC I'm readying as an X-mas present is a SFF desktop. The Intel 730 reportedly does not feature low power throttling states during idle or lesser utilization (other than full standby and off), and dissipates a bit of heat. I'll save the Crucials for laptops.

Everything went well. Got the latest Intel RST (AHCI) drivers and SSD Toolbox installed. The PC boots to the desktop about 6 seconds after the OEM POST screen, and all the task tray icons/apps are loaded in about 6 more seconds after the desktop. Can't believe how fast all those damned post-SP1 Windows Updates installed, especially the multiple NET Framework patches that normally take several minutes each!

It's a very Merry X-mas for someone! I hate having to part with a PC that is faster than mine. lol