Should I upgrade my 3TBstorage to a 256GB SSD?

[RoboChobo]

Hello Gents!

I've got a buddy who's been criticizing my hard drive & why is my system not overclocked

He's wondering why I don't have a SSD with my system.

*i72600k STOCK
*evga GTX 580 3GB X2 STOCK
*corsair vengeance LP 16GB DDR3 1600mhz cl9 4x4 STOCK
*corsair professional series gold ax 1200 psu
*gigabyte GA-z68x-UD5-B3

* seagate 3tb barracuda XT SATA III w/ NCQ, 64MB cache

I've installed all my games on it already which holds about 600GB + many more GB's worth of movies and misc.

So why should I upgrade to a SSD of 256GB which holds a small fraction of the things I play? Isn't my 3TB good enough?

I've never owned or used a SSD so I'm pretty clueless about it's uses or advantages, other than the fact that it loads stuff faster?


Also, regarding the overclocking issue, he said that he should overclock the system for me since I have no knowledge of overclocking a computer.

I've been pretty happy with my non overclocked system and have had good luck with my past rigs which are not overclocked.

If I did decide to have him overclock the system, what percentage should I ask him to do? or is that even the right term? :*( Are there any risk I should be aware of?

If you have any info or feedback for me please let me know









http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...express.com/Products/PID-MX29515%28ME%29.aspx

 

[razel]

Desktop HDDs are fantastic... All that matters is if you're happy and it sounds like you are so save your money.

If you don't already, get a prettier girlfriend than his. Them have her dress sexy and constantly take care of you by offering to get you a drink or food whenever he's around... that'll keep him quiet.

 

[corkyg]

Tell your buddy to chill out. What's the big hurry?

 

[Termie]

Seriously, the question is not whether you should upgrade from a 3TB HDD to a 256GB SSD, it's whether you should add an SSD to your system as an OS drive. For that purpose, you do not need 256GB, but you may need to reinstall all those games anyway since you're doing a clean install of the OS.

And to answer your question, yes, you should. Go with a ~120GB drive and be amazed at the difference in usability.

As for overclocking, you may want to check in the CPU forum, but honestly, your system is more than fast enough at stock, so if you have to ask the question, you probably don't need to overclock. A simple overclock on your CPU would be to 4.0 or 4.2, but it would come with increased heat and power use, so if you're not doing anything with it that requires the speed, it's unnecessary. That CPU at stock probably won't bottleneck a GTX580 SLI in any games (at least not in any meaningful way - see, for instance: http://www.techspot.com/review/379-crysis-2-performance/page7.html).

 

[Shmee]

Hey, I'll try to give a bit of feedback

A good desktop HDD is usually fine for gaming, and certainly holds more. You seem to have quite a nice one. The main advantage of having an SSD is for windows booting. You would install windows on the SSD, along with the most demanding of apps and games in terms of disk performance. Most of your other games/data/movies would of course go on the HDD. Also, an SSD will be MUCH faster than any HDD in random reads and writes.

With that said, you have a pretty sweet rig. Though the 2600k begs to be oced and does it easily, there usually is no need to. Also, the 580 3GB SLI is sweet. What resolution are you running at? If you can run everything fine, then there is no need to OC, unless you want to of course. A lot of times its just for the experience.

These days, overclocking is relatively safe, though putting too much voltage across something is the real dangerous part. Usually, when overclocking, things to worry about are heat, voltage migration, and stability.

If you simply up the clock speeds, chances are you will simply start bsoding or crashing at certain points. That is because there isnt enough voltage to keep the chip stable. Of course, adding voltage increase heat, much more than actual frequency, and too much can cause damage to the chip. So, when overclocking, do your research, and know your safe temperature and voltage limits. Luckily, most parts will simply shut down if they get too hot. Still, high voltage can fry things over time, even if temps arent too high and if it seems stable.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Kenmitch]

If performance is good enough for you already then don't worry about what your buddy says! Not like you can do much with a e-peen anyways!

You do have a Z68 chipset so the option of using a small SSD for HDD caching is always an option to boost performance. Read into if you haven't already.

If you don't mind doing your install all over again you could most likely get by with a SSD in the 120-128gb range for the OS and some apps. If doing this you could also take advantage of SSD HDD caching by leaving available space on the SSD to use as a cache drive. Think you can use aound 20gb's for the cache.

Overclocking the CPU isn't a must have but free performance is always nice. Are you using the stock cooler? Just bumping it up to 4ghz or so when all cores are loaded would be of some use I'd think. Not much too it anymore with SB's

Having GTX 580's in SLI I'd think that under certain circumstances your cpu is holding them back at stock speed.

 

[Idontcare]

Are there any risk I should be aware of?

You need to be aware that overclocking your CPU immediately invalidates your CPU warranty. That is not a risk, that is simply a fact.

The risks that come with an overclocked CPU include a risk of data loss (corrupted data written to your hard-drive), loss of hardware (CPU could die, mobo could die from the extra power usage, PSU could die), and elevated power bill because your CPU will be using more electricity (which could, in turn, require more AC cooling which uses even more electricity).

Now some of these risks are low, and some of them are guaranteed. The difference in terms of how probable the risk becomes is entirely dependent on your friend and whether or not he actually knows what he is doing when he sets up your overclocked cpu.

Personal note, I overclock all my rigs, I refuse to overclock any rig for family or friend. I know the risks and I am willing to take them, but even if I do my best to communicate the risks to my family members or friends the reality of the situation is that they will forever be pissed at me if their computer takes a dump and they lose their family photos or something after I've overclocked it (even if it dying has nothing to do with the OC, they will still think it did).

IMO your friend has already failed my "thinks things through" test by the fact he is urging you to let him overclock your rig without having fully brought you up to speed on the risks. If he didn't think to do that, then I'd be concerned with what else he isn't going to think to check out when he is overclocking your rig.

 

[Arg Clin]

Overclocking isn't a must - it's a hobby, and I think Idontcare laid out the facts pretty clear. I don't oc for the simple reason that I value quietness and stability above the relatively small performance gain oc can provide.

Your 2600K should be plenty fast for anything you throw at it. So to oc would only make sense if you have an urge to make it go faster simply because it's possible. Or you have some very special need for a lot of CPU power.

 

[videopho]

I see you've a z68 mobo.
Why don't you get yourself a 64gb ssd and put your mobo to work with Intel SRT SSD caching.
Then watch your apps/games load time running like they were installed in a SSD.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

I agree with most suggestions to get a 64gb SSD and use the Intel SRT for cache of your primary HDD. This way you wouldn't have to reinstall the OS and worry about selecting where to install things to. You can just continue to use your drive as normal but games you normally play and boot should be noticeably better than just with the spindle drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147124

 

[VirtualLarry]

I see you've a z68 mobo.
Why don't you get yourself a 64gb ssd and put your mobo to work with Intel SRT SSD caching.

This. Should be fairly straightforward.

You will have to install the Intel Storage drivers, and then switch your BIOS to RAID mode.

 

[DirkGently1]

Why do people still insist on saying the main advantage to an SSD is booting Windows faster or loading things quicker? It's a load of crap. Yes it does those things, but the main advantage is to be able to do as many of those things concurrently as you wish without any slow down whatsoever.

Run a virus scan, move some files, download your linux distros, browse the net, access some files...whatever you can add to this list..simultaneously and instantaneously. That's why nodody who has used an SSD will willingly return to an HDD based system.

High IO ftw.

 

[Sunburn74]

The poster has a rig that shows isn't into pinching money when it comes to PC parts. For the amount he's spent on that pc, its a travesty he's running his OS off what is basically designed to be a storage drive. The analogy is having a super fast ferrari and driving it only on gravel or mud.

These days you can buy 120 gb SSDs for $140 (this morning I saw an ad for 120gb OCZ solid 3 for 140). 140 is a fraction, a mere fraction of what he's spent on other parts and yet will be the most noticeable thing to add. Buy a ssd. Pick and choose what you want to keep on it. Enjoy.

BTW, i refuse to believe you actually play 600gb worth of games ALL the time. Even if you chose to only keep your top most favorite games, thats only like 70 gigs. Be reasonable is all I'm saying.

 

[RoboChobo]

I've decided to have someone overclock the processor to 4.8 and I was told that I should buy a cooling unit for it " http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181017" He gave me a funny analogy, it's like being stuck behind a bus and your driving a lambo.. SET THE BEAST FREE!!

I won't be buying a SSD since I already have all my games installed on the 3tb hdd and don't like installing/reinstalling games over again. I'm the type of person that wants everything ready, If i want to play AvP/borderlands/diablo/witcher It's all ready to go. So yes I do install all my games and 250GB is not enough Reinstalling the games really discouraged me to get a SSD.

@shmee I bought a Dell U3011 2560x1600 back in july 2011 from the recommendations I got here. bought it for $1125 +free shipping.


However, If I did decide to buy a SSD, I did some research and it looks like I might be getting a Crucial M4 SSD 256GB or the intel 510 250GB, but with that type of storage, like sunburn said, I should only keep my top favorite games.

​

 

[videopho]

Either the OP seems to have no clue how SSD and SRT caching works or at least he chose to ignore it...
All you need a 60gb or less SSD.
Installing the SSD is simple and straight forward, download/install the Intel RST driver, go to bios set AHCI to RAID, then you're now ready to set your 3TB HDD free and watch your game loading time skyrocket.

"Reinstalling the games really discouraged me to get a SSD."
You NEVER have to re-install anything that is already installed in YOUR 3TB HDD using the method just described.

 

[Spikesoldier]

to those new with ssds, you cant really appreciate a ssd until of course its in your rig with everything loaded on it.

does you friend whos been critical of your system have a ssd? perhaps you can try his or tell him to shut up.

 

[Spikesoldier]

I've decided to have someone overclock the processor to 4.8 and I was told that I should buy a cooling unit for it " http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181017" He gave me a funny analogy, it's like being stuck behind a bus and your driving a lambo.. SET THE BEAST FREE!!

I won't be buying a SSD since I already have all my games installed on the 3tb hdd and don't like installing/reinstalling games over again. I'm the type of person that wants everything ready, If i want to play AvP/borderlands/diablo/witcher It's all ready to go. So yes I do install all my games and 250GB is not enough Reinstalling the games really discouraged me to get a SSD.

@shmee I bought a Dell U3011 2560x1600 back in july 2011 from the recommendations I got here. bought it for $1125 +free shipping.


However, If I did decide to buy a SSD, I did some research and it looks like I might be getting a Crucial M4 SSD 256GB or the intel 510 250GB, but with that type of storage, like sunburn said, I should only keep my top favorite games.

​

sounds like you have the budget for 3x 510's or M4's if youre grabbing a ~$1200 display and SLI 3GB GTX 580 cards.