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    Express Card SSD in older laptop--best setup configuration for performance?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by sproutingrice, Sep 9, 2013.

  1. sproutingrice

    sproutingrice Newbie

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    Hello!

    I have a Vostro 1400 with an empty Express Card slot that I'd like to put a 128GB SSD in. I also plan to add RAM and upgrade the machine to Windows 7. I've been trying to find information on the best way to configure the SSD for machine performance, but all I can find it people who want to boot from it.

    I don't need to boot from the SSD (if there are significant advantages to having the system on the SSD I'd consider it, though I don't think it's possible with the Vostro's bios), and am most interested in having my most used programs and internet cache be as fast as possible. I play music a lot but not movies, and don't game. My music library won't fit on the SSD so I'll have it on the HDD.

    If configuring an Express Card SSD is the same as configuring an internal one then I think I have all the information I need. But if there are any differences then I can't find any information on it.

    If anyone has any advice or a link to where this has been discussed I'd be very grateful!
     
    sproutingrice, Sep 9, 2013
    #1
  2. un4tural

    un4tural Notebook Evangelist

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    Amazon.com: Wintec FileMate 128GB ExpressCard 34 MLC Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD). Perfect Fit for Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro. High Performance 165 MB/s Read Model 3FMS4E128JM-R: Computers & Accessories

    I'm unsure about limitations on the express card, but I'd recommend a hybrid drive for your situation. Putting your software on the SSD, i doubt will improve load times by much, depends on software, but most likely CPU with bottleneck more than anything.

    I got the SSD, windows feel A LOT and i mean incomparably A LOT faster, however its not as noticeable in games/software loading due to CPU simple not being able to gobble down so quickly. Thats mainly why I'd recommend a hybrid drive.

    Personally i have that SSD as main, and i carry a 1TB external 2.5" drive with me, not bulky and gets decent speeds for storage via USB3.0. Will upgrade once i find something i like at the right price.

    anyways thats my thoughts on it. Someone else might have more insight.
     
    un4tural, Sep 9, 2013
    #2
    sproutingrice likes this.
  3. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    Buy regular ssd and a 2nd HDD caddy instead of optical drive.
    Don't mess with expresscard
     
    James D, Sep 9, 2013
    #3