How to install new SSD to old HDD (hybrid)

The first question I would ask is how long do you plan on using this system before upgrading the MB/CPU.
I would limit any Upgrades choices to ones that you can care over to New system.
SSD:
… This will speed up OS Load time and Program load times.
.. It will NOT increase FPS, How fast a program Runs, nor speed up internet surfing, downloads nor email performance, nor watching a DVD movie.
.. It can only load files faster that are on the SSD. So if you move the “maps” for a game to the HDD, that map will load at the speed of the HDD
.. If the your MB is the one that I looked at, You do NOT have Sata III (6). So a SATA III SSD will run at sata II performance levels. This is STILL much faster than a HDD for Files on the SSD.
.. Even if only have SATA II (3), I would still recommend getting a SATA III SSD
.. My preferred SSDs are:
A) Best – Samsung 840 Pro
B) Budget – Crucial M4, Plextor M3/M5, Samsung 830 (Hard to find), and Samsung 840 (non-pro)

GPU. The 6870 is still a good Midrange GPU

PSU. Quality is MORE important than Wattage, as long as Wattage is at least 30% > than anticipated needs. Here look to future. Are, or will you, do crossfire in future. My i5-2500K OCed to 4.2GHz with 16 gigs RAM, 2 SSDs, a 1TB HDD, a Bluray Writer only Draws 350 Watts under FULL load. A Quality 500->650 Watt PSU would be an excellent choice

Your "title" and comments do not match.
Upgrade questions vs How to install SSD
Install is Simple, as the Install is the same as for HDD
1) Disconnect HDD
2) Connect SSD
3) Power on computer, go to Bios and VERIFY/SET HDD is set to AHCI
4) Install OS, let windows do updates, install drivers.
5) Power down, reconnect HDD, power on, go to BIOS and set boot priority to SSD.
6 Boot to SSD and install Programs.

THEN ENJOY.

Hello LewinLi,

From your post I believe there are a few things we can try and shed some light into. First one is your expectation regarding your system. It is not a bad system at all, though max settings is a very broad requirement. Some times you will be able to do max settings, other times you will certainly not. I do believe the graphics card upgrade is indeed the best way to go.

Regarding your choice of graphics card, those are good ones. I've had two 6870's in the past and can vouch for them. High levels of antialising are a problem, though, but I was able to get decent frame rates at good image quality levels. Most demanding titles I played at the time were Skyrim (heavily modded), Crysis + Warhead and Crysis 2, Metro 2033. I can verify you will be able to handle those. Do keep in mind that if you ever intend to add a second graphics card to that system, then Nvidia would be a better choice. My 2x6870 setup was not a good experience.

However, if you can afford it, this would be an improvement:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

A GTX 650 Ti may also be considered. It would stand between the 6850 and the 6870 for 150 bucks. You may prefer it for being a newer card, though.

As for the PSU, go for a good brand, like: Seasonic, Antec, Seventeam and Enermax. Beware of brands like Corsair and Thermaltake, because while they offer good PSUs, they don't make them themselves, so you would be paying more for a PSU that is actually made by another company. Antec does not make their own either, but they work with good OEMs. Here is a site where you can find out who actally makes the PSUs (under the OEM field of each manufacturer's page):

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page541.htm

If I was going to buy one at your given price point, it would be this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

Here is a review on that PSU:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-Series-850-W-Power-Supply-Review/1169/1

Regarding the SSD, it can only load faster the files that are actually in it. So, if move your OS there but keep your games elsewhere, you will have a more responsive system but will not benefit from your SSD during gaming. What I usually do is keep the OS and most needed software on the SSD, leaving space for a few games. I install every game into my HDDs, and then move into the SSDs the ones I am currently playing. You can do that by creating a symbolic link between the drives. Here is how it works:

1. Install stuff into the HDD (Ex. D:\ drive)
2. Create a folder on the SSD for storing the currently played games (Ex. C:\Game cache\)
3. Move the chosen game's folder into the cache folder. Yes, you should simply move it.
4. Create the symbolic link at the HDD. (Ex. mklink -j "C:\Game cache\Game Name" "D:\Program Files\Game Dev\Game Name\")

Now you will have the game in your SSD with a symbolic link on the HDD. That means your OS will treat the game as if it was still in the HDD for all purposes, so it will still work flawlessly, as if you had never moved the folder. Since it is now located on your SSD, it will benefit from the SSD's speed.

When you no longer wish to have that game in the cache to free up SSD space, simply delete the symbolic link on the HDD (it shows as a folder with a shortcut icon), then move the game folder back where it was. Here is more detailed info on this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_symbolic_link
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753194(v=ws.10).aspx


I hope I could be of help. One tip though: in the future, if you split your multiple questions/issues into different threads at each specific area in the forum you may get more specialized feedback. Remember every user is welcome here!

EDIT: I realized I never answered your question regarding your integrated graphics card. Yes the HD3300 is an ingrated graphics card. Adding a discrete graphics card to your system will disable the integrated one. The new card will work and handle the graphics alone.