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    Buying a SSD for Alienware M17x R4

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dudish, Sep 18, 2012.

  1. Dudish

    Dudish Newbie

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    Sorry if this seems like a very simple question, but I'm quite new to labtops. I've had quite a few desktops over the years, where you kind of just made sure a part was compatable with your motherboard/power supply, bought it, and threw it on, but this seems quite a bit different. I have a 750gb HDD in my Alienware M17x R4, and I'm fairly content with all other aspects of my labtop except this hard drive (although I'd like to crossfire my 7970M when they become more available). I would like to buy a 256gb SSD for my OS and games while still using the HDD for storage (itunes movies, pictures, etc). I was wondering, however, how I could be sure a SSD I bought would actually fit into my labtop. I'm confident I can figure out how to install it once I have it, I just need to know which I should buy. Which do you guys recommend? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
     
    Dudish, Sep 18, 2012
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    All 2.5" SATA SSD's will fit. Seems like you can put 2 of them in there too! :)

    Your system should also be able to make use of a third SSD - an mSATA (a much smaller form factor than 2.5" SSD's).

    Hope this helps.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Sep 18, 2012
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  3. Dudish

    Dudish Newbie

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    Thanks! It does help. :) Alot!
     
    Dudish, Sep 18, 2012
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  4. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

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    To add to tiller's post, any 2.5", 9.5mm height drive will fit your Alienware. There are a handful of 7mm height SSDs that are meant for small, thin laptops (X220/230, Ultrabooks, etc.), but the majority of drives on the market are 9.5mm. However, you can still fit a 7mm height drive into a laptop that can carry 9.5mm height drives, provided an adapter is provided (Samsung 830, for example) or you can DIY one with cardboard :p.

    Just peek at the spec sheet before buying to make sure.
     
    Jarhead, Sep 18, 2012
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  5. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Something that is worth noting is that the mSATA connector is likely SATA II while the two main drive bays have SATA III connectors. If you wanted to go nuts, you could still go triple SSDs.

    My recommendations:

    standard SATA:
    Samsung 830
    Crucial M4
    Intel 520

    mSATA:
    Samsung PM830 (you could likely order one straight from Dell)
    Crucial C400 mSATA (very good bang for the buck)

    Note that the Samsung 830 SSD does consume more power under load than the M4 or Intel 520 which will impact battery life depending on your usage.
     
    tijo, Sep 18, 2012
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