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    Space for SSD and HDD?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Chris_c81, Jun 25, 2012.

  1. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    The M17X I have ordered comes with the standard 500gb HDD. I'll be looking at putting an SSD in. Is there room for both the SSD (as system drive) and the 500gb HDD as an additional drive for storage?


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    Chris_c81, Jun 25, 2012
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  2. Amroth

    Amroth Notebook Consultant

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    Yes there is, and if you really want to go nuts you can remove the optical drive and install a third hard drive ;)
     
    Amroth, Jun 25, 2012
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  3. Amroth

    Amroth Notebook Consultant

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    Amroth, Jun 25, 2012
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  4. Xenn0X

    Xenn0X Notebook Evangelist

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    there is even room for ssd and 2 hdd with optical drive.
    then you need to buy an msata SSD.
     
    Xenn0X, Jun 25, 2012
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  5. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    I thought the mSATA's weren't working that well so the option to have one installed was removed from the website?
     
    radji, Jun 25, 2012
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  6. Xenn0X

    Xenn0X Notebook Evangelist

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    No works fine, i run a crucial m4 msata in raid 0 with 2 normal ssd's. never a hickup.
    only thing is that dell advertised that msata socket was SATA3 but it only runs on SATA2 mode.
     
    Xenn0X, Jun 25, 2012
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  7. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the replies folks.

    Can someone point me in the direction of a topic here or elsewhere which explains the options available for laptop hard drive upgrades? Or be so kind as to run down the options.

    What I mean is, I've read stuff about having a small SSD coupled with one or two HDD's. Then there is mSATA thrown into the mix. I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to this, certainly from a laptop perspective as this will be my first laptop in ten years and my first desktop replacement bought specifically for gaming.

    I'm looking for an option which is a good compromise between speed and price. I'm not put off by complexity of setup as I'm a pretty quick and keen leaner and tinkerer.

    Many thanks.


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    Chris_c81, Jun 25, 2012
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  8. Andycinoz

    Andycinoz Notebook Consultant

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    I'd also like some info on this.

    I received my shiny new R4 today, but I had to go for a 240gb SSD because of the cost. I'll be looking for a 400gb ish SSD during the July 4th sales, if anyone can point me in the right direction?

    Are they fairly easy to install? I'm new to the whole upgrade able laptop thing!
     
    Andycinoz, Jun 25, 2012
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  9. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The Revelator, Jun 25, 2012
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  10. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    I've been digging a bit more. My scenario is different I guess as I have a 500gb regular HDD. What I'll probably do is use Intel's Smart Response Technology. Buy a smallish SSD and use it as a cache for the HDD. This is the most cost effective option which will give me close to SSD speeds.


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    Chris_c81, Jun 26, 2012
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  11. christo493

    christo493 Notebook Enthusiast

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    There are 4 possible slots. That is, 4 if you change the optical.
     
    christo493, Jun 26, 2012
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  12. Xenn0X

    Xenn0X Notebook Evangelist

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    yes including msata you can got 2TB on SSD :)
     
    Xenn0X, Jun 26, 2012
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  13. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    Wow, wonder what the costs would be though?
     
    radji, Jun 26, 2012
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  14. Xenn0X

    Xenn0X Notebook Evangelist

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    around 1400 bucks :) if you can get a hold on a 512GB msata, for now stuck at 256GB so 1792GB max possible on ssd :)
     
    Xenn0X, Jun 26, 2012
    #14