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    Windows 7 + SSD

    Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by xarthos, Aug 17, 2009.

  1. xarthos

    xarthos Notebook Evangelist

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    So I was thinking about getting a SSD and loading a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from Technet. I was wondering if anyone has a good suggestion on SSD for the 2nd Drive slot. I want to keep Vista and all the games I have installed right now but want to be able to choose to boot from the SSD on startup so that I have an independent copy of Win 7 to run and game with. I hear that Windows 7 works really well and has new features with SSD drives so I think this actually gives me a reason to upgrade.

    Advice would be awesome. I've got a clear idea of what I want but setting it up isn't necessarily clear yet. I know its a 2.5 inch slot. I think its a Sata II connection but if you guys can add any drive advice and or details to what I am thinking that would be awesome.
    thanks
     
  2. Hello_Moto

    Hello_Moto Notebook Evangelist

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    G.Skill Falcon or OCZ Vertex (v2). I personally have a G.Skill Falcon but their support is somewhat lacking. OCZ Vertex and G.Skill Falcon both have the same Indilinx controller/hardware but rebranded obviously.

    In short, go with an OCZ vertex (v2) or one of those 2nd gen Intel X-25.
     
  3. Kamin_Majere

    Kamin_Majere =][= Ordo Hereticus

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    Anything with a controller made by
    Indilinix / Intel / Samsung

    It doesnt really matter what brand puts it out so long as the controller is good and they have at least a decent customer service reputation.

    As to Win7. You can just upgrade and keep all of your games and stuff you know? As to how to dual boot... cant help you there i wouldnt begin to know how to dual boot windows to itself (as i dont see a reason for it)
     
  4. xarthos

    xarthos Notebook Evangelist

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    awesome guys thanks!
     
  5. AGlobalThreatsK

    AGlobalThreatsK Notebook Evangelist

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  6. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

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    Run them in non-member RAID mode so you can take advantage of the I/O caching.
     
  7. Elenthir

    Elenthir Notebook Guru

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    SSD under W7 or Vista is ALWAYS a major upgrade :)
    Dual Booting is pretty easy (when installed on each HDD, your start up screen should give you the option to chosse with which one you want to go today. Somewhere in the personal settings, you can also set, which one should start up automatically or after a few seconds of waiting.
    I have Vista and my fav game (LOTRO) on the SSD (Vertex 60gb -> great community and customer support), plus the tweaks necessary under Vista (done in less than 1/2 hour).
    Vista is lightning fast, game is lightning fast regarding loading times.
    Stuck the SSD into the second bay. In the first bay is still my old mechanic HDD with W7. From time to time I play from W7, but 99% from the SSD under Vista. Works flawless.
    Only advantage of W7 apparently currently is: It automatically detects the SSD and adepts accordingly and that it has a "trim" tool. SSD's have to be defragmented differently AND with different tools then ordinary HDD's, but I guess you know that.
    Check out the long BUT very informative article from Anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531
    it will help you a lot in understanding SSD's and is, as I always say, a must read, before engaging into SSD's.
    Bought mine some months ago, just for testing, never looked back since (and never send it back either :) )