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    mSata Question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by esotericdesignstudio, Jul 19, 2012.

  1. esotericdesignstudio

    esotericdesignstudio Notebook Enthusiast NBR Reviewer

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    Hello everyone.

    I recently purchased a Lenovo W530 with a 500 GB HDD and a 320 GB HDD, and added a 32GB mSata SSD.

    1. Would I be better off installing the OS system (Win7 Enterprise), using it as a cach for the HDD, or installing programs such as Revit, Solidworks, (CAD and bulky programs in general)

    2. How do you reckon it would impact performance if I had the OS on the SSD, but the programs on the HDDs?

    I'll be using the computer for 3D modeling, CAD, Video Editing, and Music Recording/Editing (programs will include Autodesk Inventor Suite, Solidworks, Revit Architecture, Adobe CS 5, Finale or equivalent)

    Thanks for any help/advice you can give me! i'm pretty familiar with most other areas, but mSata and SSD are a whole new ground for me :)
     
    esotericdesignstudio, Jul 19, 2012
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  2. shrike4242

    shrike4242 Notebook Consultant

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    32GB is a bit tight for Windows and programs, especially some of the ones you're talking about.

    A 64GB or larger SSD might work for OS + programs though at 32GB, you're just looking at OS and not a whole lot of space left.

    I'd recommend using the 32GB as a cache for your OS/programs drive, or upgrading the mSATA to something larger.
     
    shrike4242, Jul 20, 2012
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  3. esotericdesignstudio

    esotericdesignstudio Notebook Enthusiast NBR Reviewer

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    That was my general conclusion. I considered upgrading, but i just spent 1800 on a Lenovo w530 and upgraded other parts of it, so I'm trying to be budget conscious here. i was able to get the msata for $38.00 and install it myself, so I'm just deciding how to use it. I'm thinking i may pratition it to use as a cache and then load a few select programs onto it. Any advice on the cache size?

    Specs of my machine:
    Lenovo W530
    i7-3820 core
    20 GB of RAM (4gb factory, 16 gb corsair vengeance)
    500 GB HDD housing OS
    320 GB HDD in an ultrabay housing in the optical drive slot
    2 GB k2000m graphics card
    32 GB SSD (In msata slot where WWAN card would normally be)
     
    esotericdesignstudio, Jul 20, 2012
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  4. extide

    extide Notebook Deity

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    I would use all of it to cache the 500GB os drive. At least try that setup out and see if you like it. Give it a week or so to get all synced up.
     
    extide, Jul 20, 2012
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  5. shrike4242

    shrike4242 Notebook Consultant

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    Same here. RST will only work up to 60GB, so any drive that small or smaller should really be used for cache.

    I wouldn't go smaller than 128GB if you upgraded from the 32GB. 256GB might be better as time goes.
     
    shrike4242, Jul 20, 2012
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  6. esotericdesignstudio

    esotericdesignstudio Notebook Enthusiast NBR Reviewer

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    Trying the partition method. 18 GB for cahe, 12.5 for some programs. Let you guys know how it works out later this week.
     
    esotericdesignstudio, Jul 21, 2012
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