Dell Studio XPS 800 SSD Install

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

AndEj

Honorable
Jun 12, 2013
2
0
10,510
I am trying to figure out if it is worth putting an SSD into an old Dell Studio 8000 running Windows 7. The two drawbacks I see are:
1. Limited to SATA II speeds.
2. No option for AHCI in BIOS for mobo (X231R) due to p55 chipset, only choices are ATA and RAID, therefore TRIM won't work.

Am I right about this? Will it not be worth the bother There a number of posts on other fourms but nothing definitive. Can anyone advise?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
cin19

cin19

Titan
Mar 14, 2011
15,726
218
112,340
The answer is no for the 1st question, yes for the 2nd one.
And I still recommend to use the SSD on that dell you had ( set the storage RAID mode in the BIOS) , if you have the budget.

Because you don't feel the difference performances between SATAII and SATAIII in the real world usage. Read the review " Is A SATA 3Gb/s Platform Still Worth Upgrading With An SSD? "
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-upgrade-sata-3gbps,3469.html

And you are right TRIM won't work, but you can use the other function " garbage collection " to do the clean job. How to do that, 1) you need at least 8-10% free space in the SSD, 2) let the PC is in idle mode, closing all the programs, log off user. Here is other review for TRIM and GC test. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/m5s-256gb-ssd-benchmark,3252-7.html
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

AndEj

Honorable
Jun 12, 2013
2
0
10,510


Thanks, that's really useful and some very helpful links.

By setting the storage to RAID mode in the BIOS will I be configuring all the drives or just the SSD - i.e. will it wipe the HDD and therefore need to back it all up? I'll search aorund for a primer in general SSD migration approaches, but will there be any specific challenges because it's a locked down dell BIOS?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cin19

cin19

Titan
Mar 14, 2011
15,726
218
112,340
I had the dell inspiron530 that is also with ide or raid mode, I add the ssd to it for the HTPC. When you set the raid mode, and you can set the raid or no raid too for the ssd and the hdd, as long as you don't set the mode to IDE (ATA) one.

So before you install the win7, go to bios, set the raid mode, connect the ssd only (no other hdd) and dvd (for win7 or use the usb drive), after done the installation then connect the rest your hdd, tweak the ssd and done. Here is one of them tweak ssd guide and you can find lots of them.
http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-2/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Marius Talpos

Reputable
Jun 12, 2014
3
0
4,510
Hey i am also trying to install an SSD into my old Dell xps 8000...i Found on i liked (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248) but would i be able to install it since this SSD is a 2.5" and the stock hard drive on the desktop is a 3.5"
I can't seem to remember or find out what motherboard i still have in there but would i need to replace that to accommodate SATA 6Gb/s?
Since the last Drive fried i will be installing the OS (windows 7) from scratch so ACHI drivers should't be a problem since i can set ACHI mode on when i first install the OS (or so i've read here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Controller_Interface). Correct me if i'm wrong there.
Is my plan possible and have i overlooked anything important? This would be the first time i attempt something like this. I would appreciate any help thank you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cin19

cin19

Titan
Mar 14, 2011
15,726
218
112,340
1) You need the 3.5" to 2.5" adapterhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994085 to use the SSD. As long as the MB has SATAII (3Gb/s) port then you are fine to use the SSD.
2) If you can set to the AHCI mode in the BIOS, it is perfect.
3)
Is my plan possible and have i overlooked anything important?
Click to expand...
Do you mean OC cpu, RAM, or GPU?
If you want to oc GPU you can use the MSI afterburner http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm
For RAM and CPU, you may or may not you have to check the BIOS, because I don't have the Dell xps 8000.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
M

Marius Talpos

Reputable
Jun 12, 2014
3
0
4,510


1.) would i need to go into the BIOS to determine if it has 3gb/s compatability...The previous drive i had uses Serial ATA-300( or SATA-300 i guess) which i heard is slang fro SATA 3gb/s but i just want to be sure
3.) I was just asking if there was something else i needed to install the SSD or if there was something overlooked...nothing to do with OC the cpu , RAM or the GPU. I just don't want to go though buying the SSD installing it and then realizing something isn't compatible.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cin19

cin19

Titan
Mar 14, 2011
15,726
218
112,340
The Mb has the SATAII 3Gb/s port, not the SATAIII 6Gb/s port. And as long as it has the SATAII, you are fine. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-upgrade-sata-3gbps,3469.html

And you need the adapter like I post it before, and in the BIOS set the storage mode to either AHCI or raid mode. then you are ready to go. After you install the OS into it, tweaks / optimization the SSD http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270102-32-useful-articles-part one thing you need to pay attention, during the installation OS, you only need connect the SSD and DVD, but not other storage hard drive. After done the installation OS, you can reconnect the other regular HDD if you have.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom