Should I get another HDD or an SS?

Hi guys,

I have read a fair bit about the SSD but do not entirely understand what exactly it is. I have only 1 installed 750 GB 7200rpm HDD. I have already bought the bracket device thingy for a 2nd HDD (forgot what it is called). What would you all opt for? HDD or SSD? Any major differences between them?
Would really love some info so I can make my decision much quicker.

Thanks guys

 

An SSD is the single most performance boosting upgrade you can make on a computer.

It is a flash storage device. No moving parts. Fast write and read speeds. Durable. Reliable. Expensive. $/gb is high.

If you have the money; get it.

Make sure you use it as your boot drive.

I'm currently in the process of purchasing an SSD for my notebook. (Crucial C300 64gb from my buddy for $50. Original price $120).

 

The best part about it is throwing the laptop across the room while its on. but if you have an ssd/hhd combinations, no fun for you.

 

Thanks for the response guys. So does that mean that I will have to reinstall my entire windows 7 on it as my priority drive (C drive) so where my OS runs on it? You were mentioning you were thinking of purchasing a 64gb. Isn't that wayy too little to install your whole operating system and programs on it?

And just to confirm, SDD is no way intended to be used as a secondary drive just for storage since it will be pointless? I just don't see how 64gb or 128gb is enough for the main drive in the computer....

 

Windows 7 needs like 30gb MAXXAXAXAXXX (without HUGE programs ofcourse like games). Definitely install OS on ssd or else you are wasting your money. The SSD makes the OS much more responsive especially when launching programs or opening files on the ssd. It is very obvious in boot up time and shut down. Overall very responsive OS, not file storage.

 

You will be able to clone and image your OS onto your newly installed SSD.

64gb would suffice for me: say 20gb for OS, 20gb for key programs, and the rest for work/office/school work. All media will be on my external HDDs.

 

reinstall OS, dont get HHD optimized OS from the HHD. It takes the same time to transfer and to reinstall OS (minus painful drivers). Windows 7 optimizes the OS for the ssd on a new install and you will have a clean OS.

 

True statement. Starting fresh is always nice.

 

Ok so say I buy a new SSD, are these the steps I need to do:

- Move the primary HDD into the 2nd harddrive space and put in the new SSD in the primary HDD space.
- Then what??? lol.

Steps would be great man.

 

download a copy of legal win 7. Backup your key for win 7. Install windows 7. I'm not on laptop atm so can't find the thread for this but there is a thread for downloading w7.

 

SP1 Included:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html

Sans SP1:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

 

Thanks Ironman43. Can't I burn those Recovery DVDs for the HP and install that on the SSD or does it not allow that? Does it have to a fresh new copy of Windows 7 only? I would prefer definitely to reinstall the Recovery on the SSD if it is possible.
In any case if I am unable to do that, do I have to pay for a legal copy of windows 7 if I download it?

Many thanks guys

 

You may burn recovery discs and use that image for your installation on your newly acquired SSD. However, by downloading an image and installing from that image, your installation will be clean and optimized for use on your SSD like what Ironman43 mentioned.

You will not need to pay for a copy of Windows 7. The download links supply legal clean Windows 7 isos that can be made bootable. A sticker on the bottom of your laptop should have your product key for licensing.

Walkthrough to create bootable USB:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Walkthrough to install Windows 7:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

I think it would work but you would miss out on w7 optimization for SSD during a new install. And no cost to downloading because you use ur current licence key. A clean install is really nice and I'm guessing you have an envy so drivers should not be bad which reminds me: BACKUP SWSETUP FOLDER IN YOUR CURRENT C:\ as that contains all drivers and software that comes originally with pc

 

Thanks V Chip. I guess I will download that then from the website and use the product key on bottom of my laptop. It will be a pain though installing all those drivers and everything. Once the computer is up and running, does windws automatically install all the drivers for you or do you have to do it yourself? Do all the keyboard buttoms function as normal and will be the beats sound symbol come up on the screen when changing sound.

See, that is why I like just using the HP recovery disks in that it installs all drivers and everything for you. Just to confirm, once I buy a SSD, I just switch positions of the normal harddrive and put the SSD in its place and the harddrive in the secondary bay. Would I need to format the hard drive since it would have windows 7 installed on it?
So sorry for all the questions guys. Any recommendations on a good SSD?

 

not on laptop, double post from touchscreen :-(.

 

Wow thanks Ironman43. If i just copy and paste that in once I have the SSd with windows 7 installed, does that save me from then going to download all drivers etc?

 

things that need install: WiFi, Ethernet, graphics, webcam, audio, touchpad driver (will function before install but driver improves), and any original software that came with laptop like HP music software..

most of the other stuff, windows takes care of.

yes format the hhd

 

yes. Includes all original software/drivers so you can install later. Still have to install but the drivers will be with you. Just like the force.

 

Awesome, Thanks mate. Appreciate all your help loads. Ill just backup that drive and install every driver through that saving me time downloading all drivers separately.

 

yup, no problem.

 

You will not ave to pay for another license for Windows if you do a clean instal from the downloa links above. Just use the key that is under the battery. It will not work onlin, but will ask you to call MS and activate. 10 minutes later you will have it activated. No reason to pay for another license.

 

Do not use the key on the bottom of the laptop because you will have to call Microsoft. Use ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us to backup the activation and your key and then run the program to restore the key after install of the same windows 7 version that you had on the laptop originally.

 

There is nothing wrong with calling MS. Takes 30s.

 

Never tried it never will.

 

Have done both. Either or works. No troubles.

 

Your mistake. If I were to buy a license each time I reinstalled Windows on a machine that came with a license already, I would go bankrupt. If you can afford it, keep buying them. You buy one for the changed hardware, and next time you upgrade the laptop it will not work again because of it, you need to buy another license , good luck with that.

 

I recommend you to get a segata hybrid HD, it gives you the performance you might need.
is better than a 10k HD
and about 1/4 the price of a SSD.

 

I back up the license and activation of my working windows 7 laptop to restore after a reinstall. It takes 2 seconds and I always have a backup of my license and activation in case my os crashes..

 

I tried ABR last time and it did not work restoring activation. What did you use?

 

Kind of. Kind of not.

If you can afford: Go SSD.

Otherwise, I'd choose a Western Digital Scorpio Black over a Seagate any day.

1/4 the price dependent on gb.

 

I just call (for Office, anyway). It's really not that hard to do and it only takes like 5 minutes.

 

I would've asked the original poster if he/she were more interested in storage space or speed.

 

I use ABR, did you use the one specified for the OS? ABR Beta is for windows 7. If you downloaded just ABR, that is for vista.

 

I used the 7 version, but still it did not work. Today I did more research and found 7 tokens manager. Supposedly a really good one. Will try it next time I reimage.

 

He is going to keep the 500GB HDD that will be sitting in the DVD's space. That means, he can afford to have a smaller drive with the benefit of speed. I did exactly that - 500GB for storageand 60GB for OS and it is a blazing fast setup.

 

That is exactly right. I intend on keeping the 750gb drive and put in a new ssd in the primary drive slot. Thanks for the help everyone

Another question if anyone wishes to answer hopefully. Does the HP envy 17 3d 2630QM SB processor use the SATA III or SATA II. I am looking for SSDs on ebay but I need to know if my laptop uses SATA III. Any difference between the 2 if my laptop uses the SATA III. Any recommendations on absolutely anything would be awesome.

Thanks my friends

 

BTW I was thinking of getting the Crucial SSD m4 SATA 3 for my laptop.

 

It uses SATA III so make sure you buy a SATA III SSD as there is a noticable diference in performance.

I got an OCZ Vertex 3 and am very happy with it (on Envy 14-1xxx)

 

Thanks heaps for the response. Glad to see the envy 17 uses SATAIII. I will definitely buy a SATA III now.

Thanks again.