SSD & m17xr2

Well, i want to get myself an SSD... However, my laptop is on 2x 500gb RAID 0 drives...
The raid 0 set up, doesnt it share both drives together? Basically splits my files between both of them... how can i put everything on one drive? or to not loose files while i switch over to SSD.. I hope someone understands what im trying to say lol

PS: Intel 120GB Solid State Hard Drive (SSDSA2MH120G2K5) : Laptop Internal Hard Drives - Best Buy Canada

^Is that SSD any good? Or should i buy the iomega one? Thanks

 

It's probably not what you want to hear, but after going from Raid 0 to an SSD a few times (different systems), the easiest way is to do perform a clean/fresh install on the SSD.

This goes relatively easily using the Alienware OS disk. Then instead of the Resource Disk, use the Dell Driver sight to get the latest drivers as they've all been updated (at least from the disk I got with my system) except maybe the chipset... see this thread for what order to load the drivers:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...d-your-m17x-r2-full-detailed-description.html
Just insure that you've backed up your user files onto an external drive of one form or another.

The move to an SSD is very much worth it. The startup times, Apps opening times , & just about everything else is so much quicker.

I can't offer any comments on the SSDs you're looking at (but there are several other threads in this forum on the subject). I can tell you that the OCZ Vertex 2's we're using are great.

Good Luck

 

I would go with an Intel 10 times over an Iomega drive. Intel's have known reliability and while they may not be quite as fast as some of the other drives(OCZ, Crucial, etc) they are still quite fast.

 

I've been debating between Vertex 2 and X25M for quite a while. Eventually, I went for Intel because of its reliability. I am willing to give up a bit speed for that. Plus, I heard that OCZ's Vertex 2 SSDs recently changed from 34nm to 25nm which is slower. Also, some users noticed OCZ's performance decreases significantly after 3-4 months even with TRIM. Im not sure about that but I'll just go with Intel to keep my mind free.

You might wanna take a look at OCZ and Intel SSDs' reviews/feedback:

OCZ
Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: OCZ Technology 120 GB Vertex 2 Series SATA II 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (SSD) OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G

Intel
Newegg.com - Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH120G2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Intel X25M 120 GB Solid State Drive with Internal SATA and Power Cables MLC Flash Technology, 2.5-Inch Form Factor SSDSA2MH120G2K5

On Amazon website the Intel X25M 120GB ship and sold by Amazon is currently sold out because I was the last one purchased

 

I just ordered the Intel 120 last night from ebay for 224.00 shipped. I should get it Wednesday, this will be my first SSD so I'm stoked!

 

Great choice. Some info you may wanna know after you got your SSD delivered:

- Install clean Windows on new SSD:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/554485-installing-ssd-hp-laptop-how-transfer-os.html

- Tweak:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/517917-how-improve-ssd-performance-intel-series-4-5-965-chipsets-jjb-tweak.html

- OCZ Vertex 2's recent issue with 25nm

complaint about 25nm SSD drives

 

Good links, thanks Torai. Repped

 

So once you add SSD it's not raid 0 anymore? Basically under my computer I'm going to have, my HDD and my SSD? I'm just wondering how I can decide what files go on my SSD and what doesn't heh

Thanks for all the help guys =)

 

No, you would NEVER run an SSD and HDD in RAID0. The array would operate at the slower HDD speeds, making the SSD useless. In addition to that, I'm not sure that an SSD and HDD could even be paired up in RAID0 by the BIOS. Don't know.

You'll install Windows on the SSD, as well as any programs and games (size permitting). The HDD will be used for storage of pictures, music, movies, etc.

 

I went with OCZ Agility 2 wich i'm waiting to arrive (actually it already arrived at home but i had to leave for work before it shipped and a collegue will bring it to me)

As soon as i'll have it in my hands i'll post how it works (if anybody is interested)

 

Oh alright... So basically under, "my computer" I'll have hdd 1 and then SSd?
And my OS would be installed on SSd and the HDD would just appear as a hard drive with nothing in it

 

After installing the OS to the SSD put in the HDD and go to Computer Mangagement in the start mene. Just type it in. Then click on the HDD and format so then the system will be able to see the drive. That is if it doesn't see it in the first place. In computer management you'll have to right click the volume.

 

Ok so I got my Intel SSD and WOW! Such a difference. I had one question and it may sound noobish, where do I go to find the TRIM software?

 

New message coming bad link

 

Thank you my frozen brutha, repped

 

Hey frozenarcticguy. If this your first SSD read the attched SSD users guide.

 

Actually I went to the homepage that you gave me, downloaded the drivers for my drive and talk about a difference. Lets see if I can upload a screen shot of crystalmark

Meh, won't let me but my scores were 255 read and 115 write, not too shabby

 

Mate Glad you are happy

 

Yeah, holy moly I can't believe how fast this thing is. Going to buy the wife an 80gig later but after this, I'm never going back to regular hard drives. Thanks again for the help!

 

is it really REALLY that fast?! omg dont tell me :/
i am so tempted to buy a 160gig SSD and then buy the 1tb HDD

PS: Im guessing this would be the best intel to get?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-Intel-X25-M-...068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa883d96c

 

Yes it is very nice and the speed is amazin from the old sata drive. I got the Intel 120 but that Intel 160 looks real nice too!

 

I searched long and hard for a matching 128gb Samsung SSD to match the one I got from Alienware. I had plans to run RAID0 but now that just seems silly....this thing can't get much faster. With a 2.7TB NAS on my home network, I don't need more internal storage

 

Wow, I don't know if it's the new hard drive or the new 11.2 drivers but such a difference in BC2 Vietnam! I'm talking major difference with graphics. Anyone else notice this after installing a SSD?

 

1
Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH160G2K5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820167032
Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$393.00



Just ordered it from newegg... I just couldn't wait and had too... I wonder if I should of gotten it from eBay... I was debating if I should of baught the 1tb or 750gb drive... But I found it pointless since I baught myself recently a 1tb external hard drive running on my network heh. So the 500gb 7200 that came with my laptop is good enough!

Can't wait to do a clean install and just see how fast it boots up :O next upgrade, 920xm

 

Newegg was taking so long to process so I cancelled my order... Checked on kijiji and found a guy selling a brand new unopened in the box 160g SSd intel x25m g2 ( same one I ordered from newegg) with recipe and everything for 280$ go me! Newegg wanted 426 with tax and shipping! Backing everything up right now

 

HEre are my ssd benchmarks!

Using the tweaks at 99% (the ones posted)