A Question Regarding SSDs

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Hello again Toms!

Just a quick one. I am currently using a standard 1TB HDD and personally find my boot and loading times more than acceptable.

My questions are:
1) How big an improvement will an SSD give?
2) Can I install an SSD without resetting/reformatting my PC?
3) If the above is possible, how would I move the data around?
4) Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Conor
 
Solution
WyomingKnott
1) Amazing. Aside from faster boot times, the faster program loads and responses just feel really different.

2 and 3) IMHO, the best process involves three drives, since I haven't seen software that will do it in one step. Make an image backup of your existing disk to the third drive that I just introduced using something like Acronis True Image. Then restore it to the SSD with the option to "Optimize for SSD" set on. This will fix any alignment issues; your HDD probably doesn't have the 4k alignment that makes SSDs work better.

If your HDD is not currently set up in AHCI mode in the BIOS, you will have to change the mode after the boot. There are articles in Win7 forums on this. SSDs in the old ATA compatibility mode lose...
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WyomingKnott

WyomingKnott

Legenda in Aeternum
Aug 29, 2006
13,249
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1) Amazing. Aside from faster boot times, the faster program loads and responses just feel really different.

2 and 3) IMHO, the best process involves three drives, since I haven't seen software that will do it in one step. Make an image backup of your existing disk to the third drive that I just introduced using something like Acronis True Image. Then restore it to the SSD with the option to "Optimize for SSD" set on. This will fix any alignment issues; your HDD probably doesn't have the 4k alignment that makes SSDs work better.

If your HDD is not currently set up in AHCI mode in the BIOS, you will have to change the mode after the boot. There are articles in Win7 forums on this. SSDs in the old ATA compatibility mode lose an important function, TRIM, which maintains performance after time.

You end up with a bootable SSD and your old HDD in a drawer as a backup.

4) Unless you are going to be doing massive video editing at 4k or doing benchmarks, buy an affordable one. My favorite words on this issue are here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sata-6gbps-performance-sata-3gbps,3110-8.html
 
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Solution
J_E_D_70

J_E_D_70

Splendid
Mar 21, 2012
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It feels to me to make *everything* faster/snappier.

If you already have your HDD split into a C: and D: drive, and the C: is smaller (or can be made smaller) than the SSD, you can just clone C:, switch the boot device in the BIOS, and carry on.

If it's all just on the C: then the best bet is to reinstall OS and programs on the C: drive. You can leave the data on the HDD and just point the programs there.

I'll never own another PC without an SSD.
 
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bassejepsen

Distinguished
Aug 10, 2011
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1) While it is true, that an SSD online improve load time, you should consider, that every program, also have to be loaded as well. I would never go back to a normal harddrive,once i have tried SSD.
2 ) Yes
3 ) I would use the hidden win 7 backup system ( it can also be found in win 8), with that you can make an img, of you current drive, that img can then be loaded into a new drive.. (see this guide, just found it, but seems reasonable: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-7/)
4) recommendations regarding which to buy? i would go with samsung 840 EVO :)
 
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