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    SSD vs HDD in m17x

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by ImportJunky, Dec 9, 2009.

  1. ImportJunky

    ImportJunky Notebook Consultant

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    Intel is running a special in the retail edge program. They are selling the Intel® X25-M Solid-State Drive for $129. I was thinking about getting it. But I wanted to know if the performance increase is REALLY THAT GOOD.

    right now I have it set up for a single 500gig 7,200RPM drive.

    Right now there are other things i need for this new beast besides a SSD for my (if it ever arrives) m17x.

    SO I was wondering. should I get it? or hold off?
     
    ImportJunky, Dec 9, 2009
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  2. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Depends, how big for $129?
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  3. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    For 129$ you should absolutely get it. At worse you resell it, but honestly it's totally worth having one especially if you can get it cheap like that...
     
    nickbarbs, Dec 9, 2009
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  4. MystManPDX

    MystManPDX Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Corsair X-Series 128GB SSD and a Hitachi 7200rpm 320GB HDD in my new m17x.
    SiSoft rates:
    SSD : 242-246MB/s read performance, 0ms access time
    HDD : 63-65MB/s read performance, 6m access time
    Even with 2 10k rpm HDD in raid0, the SSD is still going to kick its a$$ in read performance. Installing programs like Visual Studio 2008 Pro and Office 2007 have taken just minutes on the SSD compared to putting them on a HDD. Loading game files is blistering fast on the SSD.

    Don't get anything smaller than 64GB, because with Windows 7, if you install anything like Office, Adobe products...you only have room for a couple large games. I have EQ2 (12GB), GTA4, Adobe Master Collection CS3, Office 07, VS Studio 2008, MSDN 2008 all on the 128GB and still have plenty of room for probably 2 more games. Installing your games on the HDD kind of defeats the point imho.
     
    MystManPDX, Dec 9, 2009
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  5. Alexk7

    Alexk7 Notebook Geek

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    ya depends how big, cant possibly be bigger than 30gb at that price
     
    Alexk7, Dec 9, 2009
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  6. MystManPDX

    MystManPDX Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has to be the 80gig, no way intel would subsidize the 160gb that low.
     
    MystManPDX, Dec 9, 2009
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  7. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    very true.
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  8. ImportJunky

    ImportJunky Notebook Consultant

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    not sure what size it is.. Rumor had it was the 160.. but not sure

    either way. worst case is its the 80gig.. is it worth it?
     
    ImportJunky, Dec 9, 2009
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  9. Alexk7

    Alexk7 Notebook Geek

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    if its the 160 post a link im buying me like 10 of em ;)

    but yes, imo SSD's have remarkable performance
     
    Alexk7, Dec 9, 2009
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  10. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    yes. At the very least you can resell it. If you can get a hold of a couple of them hook me up with one. ;)
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  11. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    If it were that easy they would sell out instantly.
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  12. ImportJunky

    ImportJunky Notebook Consultant

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    after doing some reading and asking around. im pretty sure its the 80.

    id put the OS on it for faster boot times. not sure what else that would hold.
     
    ImportJunky, Dec 9, 2009
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  13. ImportJunky

    ImportJunky Notebook Consultant

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    You have to work at a retailer that sells a lot of intel stuff. and be a verified employee. and they prob limit us to 1 per customer.

    or I would. I wonder how much more room it will have once 7 is installed on it?
     
    ImportJunky, Dec 9, 2009
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  14. MystManPDX

    MystManPDX Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think it's a no brainer... even the 64GB V-series Kingston (which is pretty slow) on newegg is $150... if you can get an Intel even at 80gb for $129, that's pretty sick.
     
    MystManPDX, Dec 9, 2009
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  15. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Plenty. I'm doing it with a 60GB right now. 80 is more than enough as long as you have a second drive to hold your music/games/photos/movies...
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  16. inap

    inap .........................

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    hey guys i'm waiting on my M15x to arrive and test out my intel 160 gb hard drive. if its good i can get more for about $350 ea. i will let you know more once i test out the one i got.
     
    inap, Dec 9, 2009
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  17. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Do you have a specific model number?
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  18. inap

    inap .........................

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    I think i gave that to you already in another thread it is the g2 oem packaging.

    but here is model # SSDSA2MH160G2C1
     
    inap, Dec 9, 2009
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  19. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    I remember now, you were asking about the OEM drive. Before you sell anything here the mods will require you to follow the marketplace rules. Don't want any infractions even if you were doing it for non-profit.
     
    Mandrake, Dec 9, 2009
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  20. inap

    inap .........................

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    thanks for the info mandrake, yeah not making any money on this, just helping out forum members. its cool then, too complicated. Can' wait for M15x to get here so i can try out the ssd.
     
    inap, Dec 9, 2009
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