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    Will this Crucial M4 work?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Coflash, Sep 1, 2011.

  1. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    Here it is

    Will it work in an M14x?

    I've been reading around a lot and it seems this is a popular choice, just wondering if it's the correct model as I can find a few, including the out of stock on one newegg.

    Thanks
     
    Coflash, Sep 1, 2011
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  2. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    Also, I'm open to using what actually works best if it isn't the M4. This Samsung one looks good.

    It's really hard to see without definite answers. I find different answers on each forum I visit. I'm kind of scared to buy anything without proper advice.
     
    Coflash, Sep 1, 2011
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  3. KWKSLVR

    KWKSLVR Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have this Samsung in my Acer. While an Acer isn't an Alienware, I'll tell you that the 470 Series SSD's are freaking awesome. I'm not positive that it's the 470 series from Dell if you select the SSD option when ordering an Alienware, but I'm not sure what other Samsung branded SSD model it could be. I know Samsung makes the OEM drives for Apple and Dell (or at least they have recently). You'll be pleased with any of the 470 Series drives. I always vote for not cheaping out on a SSD. Crucial makes a damn good SSD, but I think Samsung has been established longer in the reliability department. Sure, they're the same price and the Crucial is SATA III and the Samsung is SATA II. That said, I'm not sure how big the real world "feel" is when using SATA III vs SATA II.

    Edit: Another thought, I went to that SSD from a 5400RPM Western Digital Scorpio Blue. To say that everything I click on opens "instantaneously" is an understatement, and as it is, there are plenty of SATA II SSD's that have faster read/write speeds than the one I picked. I guess I'll have to wait and see how it is 6 months or a year from now, but personally, I'm willing to sacrifice some speed for reliability...especially when the speed I have is freaking incredible.

    That Crucial is tempting though and I know plenty of people that love them. You probably can't go wrong with either one, I'm just a believer in you get what you pay for (hopefully at least).
     
    KWKSLVR, Sep 1, 2011
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  4. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    100%. But you dont need the transfer kit.
     
    Brabostaan, Sep 1, 2011
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  5. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    I think if you are going to buy one, you cant go wrong with an M4 or vertex 3.
    Was a bit out of my price range as really wanted a 256gb.

    Ended up with a recon 256gb c300.

    Did a fresh install as respawn refused to restore as the drive was half the size of my original, spat dummy out and just installed from retail disk.

    Was amazed how quick things were. I dont think I will ever go back to non ssd boot drives. I've had one on my desktop for nearly a year.

    Rapido lol
     
    Croatoan, Sep 2, 2011
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  6. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    Hello again

    I ended up getting the M4

    Do I need to do anything to use Sata II speeds or are they on by default? I'll just use them until/if Sata III is sorted.

    Thanks
     
    Coflash, Sep 4, 2011
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  7. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    The M4 is SATA3. Just make sure you have the lates firmware for the M4, thats 0009.

    Is there a problem with the HDD/SSD port in the M14x??
     
    Brabostaan, Sep 4, 2011
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  8. jasong888

    jasong888 Notebook Enthusiast

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    did anyone notice a change in battery life when they switched to a ssd?
     
    jasong888, Sep 4, 2011
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  9. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    The M4 isn't being detected by the M14x in the Windows install

    Any idea?

    Do I have to set it to ATA in the setup menu?

    Edit: It seems the Alienware Windows disc will work, not my own Windows 7 (Ultimate) disc. It says something about missing DVD/CD drivers if I just try my own.

    Well, this sucks. Do I need to slip stream the proper stuff?
     
    Coflash, Sep 7, 2011
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  10. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Set it AHCI.

    Does the BIOS see it? Before installing Windows format it.

    Alienware disc does work, strange that the other one wont work.
     
    Brabostaan, Sep 7, 2011
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  11. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    Just updated my post. I know which part you mean, but I couldn't even get to the formatting step.
     
    Coflash, Sep 7, 2011
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  12. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Pop in the old HDD and try your own Windows again. Then you know if its the disc or the SSD.

    Very strange problem.
     
    Brabostaan, Sep 7, 2011
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  13. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    Old HDD still works, that was the first thing I tried

    Currently at the end of the Windows install using the Alienware disc

    Should a W7 disc not contain basic DVD/CD drivers? I have done many many desktop/laptop windows installs and this is the first time I've come across this.
     
    Coflash, Sep 7, 2011
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  14. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Is a original copy or a "iligal" one.

    You can upgrade to Ultimate using Windows Anytime.
     
    Brabostaan, Sep 7, 2011
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  15. Coflash

    Coflash Notebook Consultant

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    It's an original, I bought it specifically for this laptop, however, I intended to remove the DVD/CD rom initially, so I used a program to copy the install to a USB driver rather than use the original disc

    That's the only thing unusual about this. WintoFlash.
     
    Coflash, Sep 7, 2011
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  16. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    Probably your answer as I used a retail windows home to install a fresh win 7 as I was too lazy to get mine out of the box in the garage.
     
    Croatoan, Sep 8, 2011
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  17. charger71

    charger71 Notebook Consultant

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    I just got my m14x and installed the Crucial M4 256GB SSD, no problems at all. HD Tune reports read speeds of 469Mbps, so SATA III speeds, and no problems. WEI hard disk score is 7.9, loving the m14x with the SSD.
     
    charger71, Sep 8, 2011
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