Ext. SSD drive question

Hi guys

My laptop specs are as in my sig. - I'm looking to have a faster harddisk and want to know if I can do this without opening up the laptop. I want my games and other applications like simulation software to load up faster.

I have an ExpressCard/54 slot. I want to get an esata expresscard and connect an SSD to it.

Is it a good solution to then install the games/big software on this external SSD? Will the data load from it faster than an internal HDD?

Also, is there any way to get a normal internal SATA HDD (like WD Raptor), put it in an enclosure and connect it through expresscard?

Thanks in advance!!

 

If the expresscard in question is designed to go through the PCI-E lane, then yes, it will probably load faster than an internal (mechanical) HDD. If the expresscard is instead designed to operate through the USB 2.0 interface in the expresscard slot, then no, it will be bottlenecked by the interface. As for the the normal internal SATA HDD in an enclosure, certainly, subject to the same limitations as above.

 

Thanks Judicator

Does the option of using PCI-E path or USB path depend on the particular Expresscard model that I will buy? Or is it a limitation of the laptop?

Also, is Sata faster than E-Sata?

In the user manual of my laptop it is written "ExpressCards support USB 2.0 and PCI Express applications." So I assume it is dependant on the card then right?

 

I suspect that is the case as well. I have no real confirmation, as my notebook lacks an expresscard slot, so I've never had the need to purchase one.

E-SATA should be about the same speed as SATAII/SATA-3Gb/s.

 

Thanks again Judicator...

Anyone out there who has used the ExpressCard slot? Would like some confirmation on my question please....

 

First, yes, the eSata is the same speed as SATA. I have used this setup with an Acer TravelMate a few years back and there definitely was a speed increase in PS and other scratch disk using software I depend on.

I had to give this up though because of the hassle of setting up the notebook, the two external HD's (Raptors) and setting PS and my other software to use the externals - just to do a few hours work.

However, for the uses you need, I would guess that unless the O/S is installed also on an SSD, then the speed up you'll see will be much less than the expectations you have - just a guess of course, but even with two Raptors used externally, the speed ups were significant only in very specific situations - not as an overall performance boost.

What you might want to try is the SSD as the boot drive and O/S disk and the applications you want 'fast' installed on it - with the remainder installed on the eSATA connected mechanical HD. But, trust me this is too much work after a while.

A notebook with dual HD bays is the best solution, because you can set it up once and take it with you.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5621982&postcount=11

For some info on a two drive setup for optimal, sustained performance.

Hope this helps some?

Cheers!

 

Like tilleroftheearth mentioned, you will not get the full benefit of an SSD unless you install your operating system on it. Sure, games and applications put on the SSD may load faster, but are you really going to pay $100+ so that a few applications load faster?

To get the "snappiness" that SSDs can give you, you should make your SSD the primary drive, with the OS and all your applications and games installed on it.

 

i would make the SSD as the primary drive and install OS... u can use ur 250GB drive instead of your optical drive using a certain caddy... can't remember name...

 

Suggest setup a hybrid SSD+HDD setup:

- purchase 12.7mm sata-to-pata caddy
- swap HDD into optical bay caddy
- purchase 2.5" SSD and install into primary bay
- convert optical drive to be external USB unit.

Topics covered in DIY: Adding SSD or HDD storage using an optical bay caddy