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    Replacing HDD with SSD

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Floris237, Dec 25, 2011.

  1. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Hi all!

    First of all, I have little experience with these subjects, so please answer as simple as possible ;)
    I recently read the post about a second HDD in an Dell studio XPS. At this moment I am the owner of an Dell studio XPS 1647 and Im wondering if I can change the primary HDD to a primary SSD drive and put the HDD in the second slot. Is this possible?
    In my laptop, there is an 7200rpm 320GB HDD, but is it worth to change it to an SSD to increase the speed? Or should I just fit in a 10k rpm HDD in? And does it matter if I put that one in the first or in the second slot?

    Thanks in advance!

    With kind regards,

    Floris237
     
    Floris237, Dec 25, 2011
    #1
  2. cri-cri

    cri-cri Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, detailed info here: LINK
    It definitely increases system overall speed.
    There is no 10k rpm hdd for notebooks as far as I know.
    HTH.
     
    cri-cri, Dec 25, 2011
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  3. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Thanks for the fast reply! I was not aware the SSD and the HDD have the same port.
     
    Floris237, Dec 25, 2011
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  4. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Another question, for the choice of an SSD:
    Should I go for the Intel 320 120GB or the OCZ Agility 2?

    I never heard of OCZ and the main difference between them is the Intel got a slight lower read speed and a way lower write speed. Do you have any experience with OCZ? And do you think its compatible with my laptop? Or do you have a better suggestion?

    With kind Regards,

    Floris237
     
    Floris237, Dec 25, 2011
    #4
  5. cri-cri

    cri-cri Notebook Consultant

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    Intel SSD are OK but very expensive.
    I'd go for Crucial M4 or Samsung 470, very reliable and price/performance ratio is hard to beat. I have no experience with Sandforce-based SSDs.
     
    cri-cri, Dec 25, 2011
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  6. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Again thanks for the quick response ;)
    The Problem with the Crucial is that it has a Sata 600 connection, but the Samsung is a good alternative and its in the same price range as the Intel SSD with equal memory. But the only difference is in the write and reading speed;
    Intel (W,R): 130,270
    Samsung (W,R): 220,250

    The Samsung seems to be the best choice if I'm right?

    Do you also know if its just plug and play if you insert the new primary SDD, with windows installing from the DVD-drive etc?

    Thanks again!
     
    Floris237, Dec 25, 2011
    #6
  7. cri-cri

    cri-cri Notebook Consultant

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    You can't go wrong with Samsung, the one in my sig is 470 series (dell OEM PM810) and I'm quite pleased with it.
    And yes, you should have no problem installing Windows on it... Anyway, check this thread, as you might get better help there:
    official-studio-xps-1647-intel-core-i5-i7-owners-lounge
     
    cri-cri, Dec 25, 2011
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  8. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Much appreciated!
     
    Floris237, Dec 25, 2011
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  9. funky monk

    funky monk Notebook Deity

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    You realise you'll have to ditch the optical drive, right? There is no dedicated secondary drive bay.
     
    funky monk, Dec 25, 2011
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  10. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Yes, I alteady read the tutorial. Thanks for your respond
     
    Floris237, Dec 26, 2011
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  11. Panduhsaur

    Panduhsaur Notebook Consultant

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    I think I have an ocz agility 2, or I have the other one but its great if you need help replacing it just ask me. But it really is straight forward, just
    1) take off all the screws on the bottom plate
    2) take off 1 or 2 screws holding the HDD caddy down
    3) take off the 3 screws holding down the HDD to the caddy
    4) then follow in reverse order and put in SSD
     
    Panduhsaur, Dec 26, 2011
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  12. Floris237

    Floris237 Newbie

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    Thanks for the offer ;)
    I already bought the Samsung, because I've read some bad reviews about the OCZ in which people stated the reliability is very low on them.
    But I see you have almost the same notebook as I have, are you still using your 90w power adapter or are you using a 130w power adapter? I was wondering because in the owners lounge at the beginning its stated that you need to change it and it will improve your performance, but is that also the case with our notebooks?
     
    Floris237, Dec 27, 2011
    #12