SSD Upgrade Recommendations - M17xR3

Hey all. I need to reinstall Windows to make a clean install, my previous attempt was botched but now my install disk is scratched and won't read. I have taken this as a sign from God that I should update my crappy Hard Drives and grab Windows 7 Ultimate.

As of right now, the only weak point in my system are the hard drives. I have a 500GB Hybrid drive in Bay 1, and a 750GB Spindle drive in Bay 0. The Hybrid drive is my primary. I intend to get an SSD for use as a primary drive and pick up a 1TB drive or something of the sort for data.

My questions are:
1)Which SSD/Spindle combo would you recommend?
2)Are there any additional steps that I need to do to assure that everything happens smoothly? (i.e. changes to BIOS)
3)How do I configure my system to where the SSD is used only as a boot/system drive and relegate data to the Spindle?

Thanks for your help! My system info can be found in my signature. EDIT: Maybe it can't.

I7 2860QM
16GB RAM
500/750GB HDD's
GTX 580M
120Hz Display
Killer Wireless 1103

 

For the SSD, I would highly advise non SandForce Intel or Samsung for reliability. You can look at Intel 320 series or PM830 series. The 1 TB drive I'd take a look at the WD Scorpio Blue or Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB.

 

Thanks for your quick reply. I'd like to get this over and done with, heh.

 

I would highly recommend the Crucial M4. I have had 3 in the past and am currently running 2x64GB M4's in my R3. They are quick, speedy, and boot up in around 12-14 seconds. They are very good for the price and I am sure many others would recommend them as well.

To answer your 3rd question, all you need to do is install your SSD and while you're installing Windows and are at the point where it asks you which drive you want to install Windows to, just format both drives and select the SSD to install to. Simple as that!

 

I have been looking at many different kinds, including the M4. I like it best overall, I am just concerned with the reviews - most reviews say that the person experiences a failure either immediately or within 6 months. That worries me, as I'm in Afghanistan and I don't know if it would be smart to try to upgrade while I'm in an isolated environment such as this.

Also, I see a lot of people talking about enabling ACHI when setting up windows. What does this accomplish/is it necessary?

Thank you!

 

A SSD might also be my next upgrade, Am thinking of getting a crucial 120gb M4.

You can probably check this thread. For some other recommendations.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/583216-best-ssd-m17x-r3.html

 

I love my HyperX Kingston SSD

 

If you got the money, Corsair Performance Pro is basically a retweaked M4 on steroids. I got one and it screams.

 

I have been using the 120GB Kingston HyperX SSD for a little over a 2 months and haven't had a single issue.

 

I ended up going with the Crucial M4 128GB. Thanks for all your suggestions!

 

I wouldn't go with anything less than a 240-256GB SSD in any gaming laptop. Primarily because 64GB leaves literally no room for anything other than the OS and it's updates. So you're limited on what you can download and have to transfer everything to the data drive instantly upon download or risk suffering a major performance loss.

The 120/128GB drives are better, like the Vertex 2 I possess, but it doesn't have enough space for more than A game after the OS install. I've got World of Tanks installed on it and I've still got 40GB left over, however I would prefer to be able to install a little more onto the drive and have a bit more room to work with.

As a major plus, SSDs are dropping close to the $1 per GB range and most are right around that area. So have at it. The Crucial M4 line is the best for the money apparently.

 

I think you should go for the Samsung 830 128GB
it has the highest random read which is the major spec when it comes to usual performance
one of the highest lifetimes, spec, firmware and NAND technology
you can get it on ebay around 160$ or newegg at 180 $
I think it was cheaper on newegg before reached 140$ or something
slightly more expensive than the crucial M4 but more performance and higher specification and more stable firmware