need suggestions for SSD

[Bordoh]

I recently purchased a new gaming rig. It's an alienware from the Dell outlet ( refurbished ) and did not come with a SSD. I realize alienware is overpriced but with coupon code and oddly low pricing it was significantly cheaper than i could build it myself, under $950 pre tax.

So I'm now looking to buy a SSD for it. My budget is around $120. I need at least a 120GB one, more if possible, but I'd rather have quality / speed over extra space.

If it matters, these are the specs for my system:

Dell Outlet Alienware Aurora R4 Desktop
Matte Black 875W Chassis
Processor: Intel Core 4th Generation i7-4820K Processor (4-cores, 10MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.2 GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
16 GB DDR3 Memory (4X4GB) 1600MHz
3 GB nVidia GeForce GTX 780 GDDR5 Graphics
2 TB 3.5-Inch 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe Audio Sound Card
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Operating System DVD
8X Blu-Ray BD Combo (Blu-ray ROM + DVD+/- RW)
Dell Wireless 1540 802.11a/n Dual Band, High Speed Wi-Fi
Alienware Taxtx Keyboard
24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability


Any suggestions on a quality SSD around $120 are appreciated.

I also need a 2.5 - 3.5 SSD converter because my bays are tool less. So I could use suggestions on one of these as well, separate budget from drive.

Thanks!

 

[nsafreak]

Crucial MX100 256GB /thread Insofar as the adapters go you might want to just take a look at the drive trays that come with the system. Alienwares may be overpriced, although you definitely got a good deal on that one, but their cases are generally very well built. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they already have the appropriate holes in the removable drive trays so that you can just screw the SSD directly onto them. Heck even my $60 InWin GT1 has that feature so I'd imagine the Alienware would.

 

[Bordoh]

so far as I can tell, none of the 5 drive bays can take a 2.5. It seems you can only slide in a 3.5. The whole system is fairly locked down and hard to make changes. It also states on Dell's support site that a 3.5 converter is required for installing a 2.5 SSD.

And on the drive you linked, what's the difference between that one and say.. the Crucial M500 240GB ? Both about the same price. What makes the MX100 the best? I just threw that option in for comparison kind of randomly, I really don't know much about SSD's so I'm just looking for a little more info if you could please.

 

[nsafreak]

The MX100 has a newer Marvell controller that is faster than the one in the M500 giving better overall access times for reading & writing from the SSD. Kindof surprised that the ability to put in a SSD isn't already built into the case but if Dell says you need it then you do. Really any adapter that you can find as cheap as possible will do fine. All it will be doing is holding the drive in place in the bay, it doesn't need to do anything special.

 

[Bordoh]

Thank you very much for the info. That SSD looks to be exactly what I need and for a little less than my price cap too. Looks like it's going on my Amazon wishlist for my B-day next month.

 

[Charlie98]

Although I'm not familiar specifically with the Alienware case, you should certainly be able to adapt an SSD to it... even just drilling holes in the HDD caddy (did that with my original CoolerMaster case) or just use Velcro and put it up somewhere out of the way. My last 3 builds have the SSD Velcro'd in the bottom OD tray. Because there are no moving parts and very little cooling requirements you can mount it pretty much anywhere.

I would concur... with your budget, the 256GB MX100 looks like your likely candidate.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Check this thread on dell support:

https://support.dell.com/support/to...ument?c=us&cs=19&docid=590301&DoNotRedirect=y

it looks like they give the part number for a 2.5->3.5'' drive converter for that desktop case, and you could probably pick it up on the cheap on ebay or something.

I concur with the recommendation of the MX100 256 GB at your budget.

If you wanted more epeen:

1)The seagate 600 series @ 480 GB is only $180 after promo and rebate at TigerDirect
2) You can double up on the MX100 capacity for $215

I think the 256 GB MX100 is probably the right call, though.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can just put it into any bay and use some masking tape. SSDs don't vibrate and have no moving parts. You could also tape it to the side of the case, or on top of the drive bays, or on the floor of the case.

The only thing to be wary of is eventually the heat in the case could dry out the adhesive. So if it's taped to the side of the case it could eventually come loose and fall, maybe hitting a spinning fan. (( explosion!! fireball, shrapnel, pets dying left and right!! ))

Crucial and Samsung 840 EVO are good. For ~$120 you should be able to get a good 240 -256 GB drive if you look in the Hot Deals forum.

 

[raildogg]

In my desktop, I just had the SSD laying on the bottom of the case. I didn't even use tape to secure it in position. It ran just fine.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

If you want something a little more fancy then duct tape, Silverstone makes some nice 2x 2.5" - 3.5" adaptors.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=456&area=en

Should be pretty inexpensive.

 

[VirtualLarry]

In my desktop, I just had the SSD laying on the bottom of the case. I didn't even use tape to secure it in position. It ran just fine.

This is my standard mounting procedure for SSDs in my personal machines. Works fine unless you have a bunch of SSDs or you move your desktop a lot.

For client machines, I think I would spec out a cheap bracket in the budget.