Getting a SSD

I am building a desktop in a few months. I was going to go ahead and buy my SSD (Crucial M4) and use it in my laptop until I have all my parts. I never used one before. Is there anything I need to do other than just pop it in and start installing Windows?

 

Yes, you may have to take out the HDD first..........

 

The important things are to :

1. Install with SATA mode in AHCI or RAID.

2. Use a Win 7 SP1 installer. I've heard but haven't confirmed that pre-sp1 had alignment issues which could affect performance. Probably not a big deal but might as well if you have an SP1 disk.

3. Run Windows Assessment (WEI) once you're all setup. This is how windows will "know" you have an SSD and react accordingly. For example it will disable disk defrag on your SSD and enable TRIM.


If you want to do more there are lots of guides on the internet. Just google "SSD Guide". I used the OCZ one cause I have a Vertex 2, but others are probably just as good.
OCZ Forum - SSD ABC Guide
Sean's Windows 7 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

 

I had to disable disk defrag on my own. TRIM was enabled. I also disabled hibernation and a couple other things. Just google "How to get optimum performance from a ssd". There are several links and I followed multiple ones so that I had the most features enabled or disabled. Of course, I made sure it made sense first.

Also, remember remember remember to enable the AHCI mode. I forgot and then I read many places that you can change the registry a bit to enable it after installing windows but it did not work for me and I had to do a clean install again.

 

I've installed both W7 and W7SP1 on my SSDs and haven't noticed a difference between the different OS version, benchmarking-wise.

Anywho, to add to the conversation, you may or may not consider disabling the pagefile after you install Windows. Some swear against it, some swear by it. I only keep mine around (~400-600MB) because I play older games that require it (else they won't run, period).

 

A quick correction. There is a post somewhere here from vicvelcro on the forums where he tested WEI and system changes. The results in his tests were merely running WEI did not make system changes to accommodate an SSD. So if in doubt (and not installed directly from a Win 7 installer), you should double check your settings.

But, with a fresh install, Win 7 had settings optimized (defrag and TRIM) for the SSD.

 

Hi folks. I got my Crucial M4 in today from Amazon. The only thing is they mailed it in a bubble mailer and the box is pushed in like something was sitting on top of it for awhile. How protected is the SSD? Should I even bother opening it or send it back? Will Amazon charge me to return it due to their crap packaging?

 

Amazon sent my Intel 330 in a bubble envelope as well, with just the retail box inside. SSDs are extremely shock resistant, and it'll be fine.

I would like it if they shipped them better, though.

 

I think this vid speaks for itself: SSD Durability Basketball Test at Intel's Folsom Campus Linus Tech Tips - YouTube

SSDs are though.