New Possible SSD

Well, basically I have an M15x with a HDD. But I'm planning on buying a SDD to replace the HDD in order to boost overall performance and gaming.

But I have a few questions:
1. My Alienware came with Windows 7 preinstalled, but I do not have the installation disc. If I buy a SDD to replace my primary HD, I would have to install windows on the SSD (right?). Is there a way I can reinstall windows 7 in a new hard drive without the disc?

2. I was also thinking about turning my current HDD into an external drive, I've read that you just have to buy the "enclosure" for it and then plug the drive in. Could I do that?

3. Since I'll just be using the SDD for windows and programs (including games), I won't need much memory on it, do u recommend any good, low memory SDDs that are not too expensive?

4. And lastly, (I've never changed a hard drive before) will I have to install all the programs I currently have in my HDD to my SDD? Or will they work when I plug in the (hopefully) external hard drive?

 

Good, small capacity SSD's are like unicorns: they're imaginary.

I would recommend the Intel 320 Series (160GB or larger), the Intel 510 Series (250GB model) or the Crucial M4 (128GB or larger).

The best approach would be to download your version of Win7 (from these forums) and do a clean install on your new SSD. You should be able to extract your activation key from your current system (sorry, no time: use google).

Finally, you will have to re-install all your programs: they won't work from the displaced original HDD (no critical entries will be in the newly installed Windows Registry).

Does your notebook have a 'create recovery disks' option? That would help you with the drivers and software installation on the new SSD.

As long as you buy a SATA enclosure, you will be able to use your HDD as an external.

Good luck.

 

Or a Samsung 470/830 SSD. Also good options

-For best SATA II performance with high reliability Samsung 470. Not a good choice if you intend to jump to sata III laptop soon
-For future SATA III use either the Crucial M4, Samsung 830 or Intel 510
-For cheapest and slowest the Intel 320 160GB + also very reliable

 

Thank you for all ur suggestions. As a matter of fact tiller. I just checked, my Alienware has a "Dell Datasafe Local backup". I'm just not sure what it does exactly. Does it copy all my programs/drivers, files, and data into the discs?
I've found some official (and legal) download links for the different kinds of windows 7, which once I download it, will allow me to activate it using my product key.

 

Another question, will any sdd fit my laptop or do they have different sizes?
Cause if they are all the same size, I could order them via internet (I live in Guatemala). But if they have different sizes, i would probably have to find a shop where i could try and fits it before i actually buy it.

 

Most SSD's are the standard size of a 2.5" notebook HDD. If they do differ, they will probably have a spacer (which once removed will allow the SSD to fit into a slimmer chassis) to make the zHeight 7mm instead of 9.5mm.

Note though that you don't want SSD 'cards' or mSATA SSD's - these are a different animal and most systems can't use them (at all).

Good luck.

 

I really like these, (in terms of capacity and price).
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT128M4SSD2
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 470 Series MZ-5PA128/US 2.5" 128GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
128GB 2.5-inch SSD 830 Series | Samsung Memory & Storage

I have a question though, what does SATA II and SATA III mean? And which is better?
Also, i like both samsung SSDs, but I could use some opinions on which is better, and which one u recommend for my laptop (M15x).
These are the two Samsung SSDs I like; 128GB 2.5-inch SSD 830 Series | Samsung Memory & Storage
128GB 470 Series Solid State Drive
I can afford both of these (and the Crucial M4 128GB), which one is better, and will they all fit my laptop?

 

jacb5595,

See:
Serial ATA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As usual, the later (higher) numbers are 'better' - if you have the components that can take advantage of the higher bandwidth.

The 470 is good, the M4 is better and the 830 I don't know (but I don't count on Samsung for 'performance' anyways).

They should all fit in a standard 2.5" notebook HDD bay.

 

Ok, so as of now, the one im leaning towards is the m4. According to King of interns, this one is SATA III. The thing I'm not sure about is whether my computer supports SATA III or if it only supports SATA II. Or is SATA III backwards compatible with SATA II?

OR how can I check if my laptop supports SATA III?

EDIT: According to this: http://www.crucial.com/pdf/Tech_specs-letter_Crucial_m4_ssd_v3-11-11_online.pdf
The Crucial M4 is compatible with 3gb/sec which I've read is SATAII

 

I'm running a M4 on SATA II in my G73, so yeah it is compatible. Technically, any SATA III drive should be backwards compatible.

 

Samsung 830 +1

 

Ok, so right now im between the Samsung 830 SSD (128GB) and the Crucial M4 (128GB as well). It really depends which I get access to first, but in case I find both which should I choose?

 

I'm a relative Newbie to SSD as well...but have been researching...quite honestly, from everything Ive read...you can't go wrong with either....both get great reviews for performance/reliability....so I would go with what is the best deal at this point....good luck!

 

Thnx for the info

 

If you can get a good SATA II drive cheap, I'd say go for it. Unless you're a really heavy data / multimedia read/write user, SATA II drives are plenty fast and usually quite a bit cheaper than a SATA III drive that day to day activities you won't notice much difference.