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    Eyeing up a SSD

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by PhAyzoN, Oct 12, 2011.

  1. PhAyzoN

    PhAyzoN Notebook Guru

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    I'm sure there have been many threads on this before, so I'd like to start off by saying yes I tried to search function, but kept getting "Sorry no results were found", even for simple terms like "SSD" and even "m14x". Anyway..

    So I just recieved my M14x, and I'm already looking to swap the harddrive out for solid state. I'm particularly interested in a 256GB Crucial M4 (With their handy transfer kit). Are there any known problems with that drive and the M14? Would you guys recommend a different drive? Also, I'm totally new to SSDs if there is anything not obvious I need to know about ;)

    Thanks!
     
    PhAyzoN, Oct 12, 2011
    #1
  2. DVSman

    DVSman Notebook Consultant

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    I'm running that setup right now (in sig) and it is working great. No problems at all. The clone software and cable that came with it worked as described without any hiccups. The cloned drive seems to be perfect so far.
     
    DVSman, Oct 13, 2011
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  3. NforceRaid

    NforceRaid Notebook Consultant

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    without installing Intel RST, right?

    your values ​​of reading and writing are about 500+ MB/s

    ciao :)
     
    NforceRaid, Oct 13, 2011
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  4. killbeagle

    killbeagle Notebook Geek

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    While I think that the 256GB Crucial M4 is an excellent choice, I wouldn't recommend to get the transfer kit.
    Reason simply is, that especially with SSDs a fresh install of Windows is key to get maximum performance (And that's what you should be looking for, when you are already going for a more expensive high end model like the M4).
     
    killbeagle, Oct 13, 2011
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  5. DVSman

    DVSman Notebook Consultant

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    The software that comes with the kit also does a re-align as well. Given the difference in price is only a few bucks - and you can always use the transfer kit later for other drives - I would say go for it. If anything should happen you can always fall back on the fresh install later on down the road.
     
    DVSman, Oct 13, 2011
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  6. Bungletron

    Bungletron Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you get the M4 drive make sure you do the firmware upgrade to version 0009:

    Crucial.com Product Downloads - Firmware Updates

    It turns an already top class SSD into a stellar SSD :cool:

    As an aside, I looked and there seems to be conflicting info on this forum, does the M14x support 6Gb/s Sata III drives like the M4 at full speed or not?
     
    Bungletron, Oct 14, 2011
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  7. jd63636

    jd63636 Notebook Geek

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    Mine does not run at SATA III speeds. My Crystal Disk Mark 3.01 results are 264.5 read and 221.4 write so solid SATA II speed with my M4 updated to the 0009 firmware ;-(

    I Also have the occasional cold boot gremlins.

    Very disappointing it won't run at SATA III speeds but I guess it's par for the course with Dell despite the owners manual stating on page 105 SATA III

    The M4 in my desktop consistantly benchmarks at almost double what the drive in the M14 does ;-(
     
    jd63636, Oct 14, 2011
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  8. DVSman

    DVSman Notebook Consultant

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    How old is your M14x jd? Mine is maybe 2-3 weeks old and runs SATA 3 just fine with the cloned & transplanted M4 in it.
     
    DVSman, Oct 15, 2011
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  9. killbeagle

    killbeagle Notebook Geek

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    Maybe there was a motherboard revision??
     
    killbeagle, Oct 15, 2011
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