Ordered a P150EM... right CPU, SSD choice?

I just ordered a P150EM from Xotic with the new Ivy Bridge platform. With the new GPU and Ivy Bridge combo, I'm really excited to finally have a near-to-none compromise in performance. Although I won't have it for at lease a month since I ordered it with a 7970m, I'm wondering if I made the right choice in CPU and SSD.

For the CPU, I went with the base i7 3610QM. If I'm primarily using this for gaming at 1080p and basic browsing, would I have been better off with a 3720QM, or even a 2720QM I have from a previous build i.e. how much of a difference would I see in FPS?

For storage, I simply ordered it with a 750GB HDD as the primary drive and will pick up a 120GB mSATA SSD separately and install the OS on it. Being new to mSATA drives, do they work pretty much like standard SATA drives, meaning do I need to do anything special for set up? Also, would it be better to install the OS on the SSD, or use Intel SRT?

 

The 3610QM is more than sufficient for gaming. No special set up required for SSDs.

 

Agreed. That CPU is more than enough power for what you listed. For the mSATA, I'd go with using it as a separate drive and not as a cache drive (Depending on size). If it's 80GB or larger, it will be plenty of space for a Windows install and your typical programs. You can then use the second hard drive for storage and everything else. If you go with the caching route, you can't control what programs end up on the SSD so the improvement may be more uneven. It's a good option if you buy a smaller 64GB or less drive though, since file management would be annoying by hand.

All you have to do is pop the mSATA drive in and it will work like any other SATA drive. You can install Windows to it and boot directly from it.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the response. I'm looking to go either 120GB or 240GB so will likely use as the OS drive.

 

I have an Intel 520 120GB in my 8150, and although slower than the competition, it plays a lot nicer with the motherboard than the SandForce chips. The Vertex 3 I bought originally refused to boot more than 50% of the time, so it got returned. I have a 256GB Crucial M4 waiting for my 9170 when it ships. I can tell you one thing for sure, you won't believe the improvement in day to day computing, no matter what drive you get. I can personally attest to the quality of the Crucial product, unbelievable performance and rock solid.

As for the processor, as lazard said, and Anthony confirmed, that processor will be more than enough for what you're doing.

Good luck, you won't regret your decision!

 

Ummm, I never had any problems with my OCZ Vertex 3 drive. Not a single problem. Before putting my OS on it, I updated its firmware to the latest version 2.15 and it runs now 7 months without ever making any problems.

 

They are very hit and miss. Even with the newest firmware. Sandforce based drives have given a ton of people trouble.

 

It's supposed to be fixed now. Haven't really heard of any problem lately

 

I've been running my OCZ Vertex 3 for...wow, 6 months now, boy does time fly.
Any rate, 6 months trouble free and with the latest 2.15 firmware that has been installed since day 1.

 

All sorts of benches and feedback I've been researching for the past 2 weeks say the Intel 520 is near the top in almost every bench out there. Never seen it below 3rd. So how is it slower than competition? It's slower than the Crucial m4 in some tests but by a slight margin, you make it sound like the solid but turtly offering among SSDs.

 

Errr... 520 is sandforce-based...

 

Well Can anyone confirm that the 520 is "slower than competition" unless we define competition as "Crucial m4"? Not to repeat myself but tomshardware charts show it to be faster than the Samsung 830 in most benchs and neck-to-neck with the m4 in roughly half of them.

 

The speed difference is minor. You aren't going to notice with real world use. Just go with the best price/reliability balance you can find.

 

I remember reading something awhile back that stated it was quite a bit slower. However, that was probably Intel hate, and not fact. Thank you for correcting me Either way, I've had zero issues with either Crucial or the Intel Drive. If I remember right, the Intel Drives are significantly more expensive than the Crucial drives. As for the controller, when I bought the thing (this was before I really did much research on SSD's) I was told it was a Marvell drive, and quite clearly the 520 is a sandforce drive. Goes to show why it's important to read *roll eyes*

 

Also, the Intel 520 offers a 5 year warranty as opposed to the Crucial 3 year warranty.
As far as speeds are concerned, it is sort of a toss up.
You can compare for yourself at sites like newegg.com if you wish to split hairs over it but your higher Intel price is indicative to the longer manufacturer warranty.