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    SSD advice

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by blokeski, Dec 26, 2011.

  1. blokeski

    blokeski Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    I am thinking of getting an SSD to add to my newly bought XPS L702X. I need a bit of advice though...

    1) I am thinking of buying the OCZ Agility 3 Series 120GB SATA III 2.5 SSD. I have read that despite what Dell say, it is compatible with the motherboard. Does anybody have this drive, and are the read/write speeds to be believed?

    2) As I have two drive bays, can I have the SSD as the boot drive and my existing 500GB HDD as storage in the same laptop, or will I only be able to have one drive?

    3) I know you have to go into the bios and set it to SATA AHCI Mode - do I need to download a set of drivers to a pen drive to install when prompted?

    Any definitive answers or advice would be marvelous.
     
    blokeski, Dec 26, 2011
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  2. VPR5703

    VPR5703 Notebook Consultant

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    1. I've got a Vertex 3 SSD from OCZ, and sometimes I wish I bought another brand. The SSD rocks when it works, but the Intel chipset on this computer hates the SandForce controller in the SSD. I suspect that the Agility 3 will suffer from the same.

    2. Yes. THat is how mine is set up. SSD for programs/OS and HDD for media. The 17 comes with the second caddy already installed, with screws. GO DELL!

    3. Should already be in AHCI, mine was. Once you reinstall, use the Dell disc and get all the drivers, and then update the GPU drivers from Dell's website if you have BIOS A14 and the nVidia GeForce 555m.
     
    VPR5703, Dec 26, 2011
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  3. blokeski

    blokeski Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the great advice! Regarding question 3 though - when I pop the SSD in and re-install Windows, will it just recognise the disc and proceed or will it expect me to load some drivers from a pen drive?
     
    blokeski, Dec 26, 2011
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  4. Redtulips7

    Redtulips7 Notebook Consultant

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    intel has nothing to do with sanforce controler base on SSD like OCZ or Corsair but problem with controler itself!!!!when it comes to reliabilty and performance intel,Samsung and Cruciali SSD are the best...
     
    Redtulips7, Dec 26, 2011
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  5. blokeski

    blokeski Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, the OCZ Agility 3 series are getting good reviews across the board, so I have gone with that, as it looks you are getting the most bang for buck.

    Thanks for the advice guys.
     
    blokeski, Dec 26, 2011
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  6. VPR5703

    VPR5703 Notebook Consultant

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    Microsoft does have drivers on the disc for our chipset, so you are OK with straight installing Windows.
     
    VPR5703, Dec 26, 2011
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