Alenware M17xR3 2nd HD Install Combo SATA/SSD

Please help I am about to buy a fully speced M17xR3 with the 6970m

I actually want to run 1 x Solid state drive and on Sata drive for data

Dell gives me option of only purchasing the below with this order:

- 2 x 750GB SATA (RAID 0)
- 1 x 256GB Solid State Drive Samsung i believe ($485 Australia upgrade)
- 2 x 256GB Solid State Drives Samsung (RAID 0) ($1240 Australian upgrade)

I do want solid state so what should I do

My questions are:

1: Should i get the 1 x 256Gb Solid state drive? but can I then install a SATA drive myself in the second bay? does it have a second bay?

2. Should I stick with the 2 x SATA's in Raid 0 - How much slower is it compared to the solid state drive?

 

Essentially, get the cheapest option which is either 1x500GB or 1x750GB regular hard drive (which you will use as your data drive in the future) and get an aftermarket SATA 3 SSD as they are both cheaper and faster than the SSD Dell uses (SATA 2 Samsung 470). Once you get an SSD, swap the SSD in the main drive and set the HDD that came with the laptop as your second (data) drive. I'm not sure about the performance of 2 HDDs on RAID0 so I can't comment on that, but I do know an SSDs performance (especially a SATA 3 SSD) is quite a big step with regard to speed from a regular HDD.

 

They only have the 2 x 750gb as the minimum option unfortunately. (7200rpm)

Will this void warranty if I install my own?

So I can have both a SATA drive and a Solid state drive in there, we are sure on this?

 

You wont void the warranty, but Dell may only cover the unit if it's serviced with the original parts.

 

Of course you can, I don't know who started this crap but I heard that some sales reps. were stating so, it's completely false.
Yes, Dell won't cover your aftermarket parts, which is fair, so that's up to you, but anyway when bought new (IE: SSDs) they come with warranty.

 

Then get the 2 750GB HDDs. But that's like a rip-off since it bumps up the base price by quite a bit. Like me for example, if I we're to get this laptop, I just want/need 1 drive, but I'm forced to pay for 2. Well just get an SSD aftermarket, and use 1 750GB drive as an external.

Actually, if you ever have to have it serviced or rma'd for any reason, all you have to do is replace the parts you ordered and take away whatever aftermarket parts you bought. Hence, you shouldn't sell the parts that came with the laptop in case you need to have it serviced or anything.

 

I would say, buy it with the SSD and get an 750Gb or 1Tb from somewhere else. This way you will not have to worry about the warranty of the SSD (especially that they are quite expensive) and secondly, if you have to return your system for any reason (hopefully not), you just remove your data (second drive) from the system and not to worry about anything else...

 

Juliant this is exactly what I have done and its on its way!!! cant wait