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SSD Suggestions Needed

Tags:
  • Workstations
  • Storage
  • SATA
  • Performance
  • SSD
  • Configuration
Last response: in Storage
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October 10, 2014 10:19:26 AM

Hello

I have finally decided to upgrade my workstation with an SSD to boost its performance. My current configuration is:-

Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3
AMD FX-6100
Corsair 4GB RAM
Win 7 Pro 64bit

I am overwhelmed with so many brands and options out there and so request your expert suggestion on which brand/ model to go for. The HDD I am trying to replace with an SSD is 160 GB

As far as I understand my MOBO doesn't have SATA 3 interface, so also would like to know whether a SATA 3 SSD would be backward compatible with a SATA 2 interface or should I specifically look out for one with SATA 2?

I am also thinking of putting in extra 4Gig of RAM with the SSD upgrade.

So please let me know which model and brand would be best suited for my PC


Many thanks

More about : ssd suggestions needed

October 10, 2014 10:23:03 AM

Samsung 840 EVO,Intel 530 series,Crucial MX100 and M500. Those are the ones I recommend.
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October 10, 2014 10:25:54 AM

LukaBoki said:
Samsung 840 EVO,Intel 530 series,Crucial MX100 and M500. Those are the ones I recommend.


Thanks Luka - also I guess these SSDs would have no problem running on a SATA 2 interface, right?
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October 10, 2014 10:37:05 AM

SATA 2 and SATA3,very little difference.
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October 10, 2014 10:53:54 AM

LukaBoki said:
SATA 2 and SATA3,very little difference.


Thanks a lot

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October 10, 2014 11:05:17 AM

No problem. ;) 
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October 11, 2014 10:41:51 AM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
MX100 256 GB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

EMCWPWP79

256 GB for $99.00 with this code.


Thanks for the link blackbird.

However I am from India where NewEgg doesn't ship (or so I'd think) but I'd look from the MX 100 one here and see if I can find it

Cheers!
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October 11, 2014 11:29:37 AM

LukaBoki said:
There is an MX100 available in India:
http://www.flipkart.com/crucial-mx100-256-gb-laptop-int...



haha..thanks luka..I already had that page open and was watching a few reviews of the Crucial MX100 on Youtube. Sad that it doesn't have any reviews on flipkart

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October 11, 2014 1:16:08 PM

The SSD on flipkart is 256GB while the one on Amazon is 120GB. For the price difference go with the 256GB.
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October 11, 2014 1:27:45 PM

GhislainG said:
The SSD on flipkart is 256GB while the one on Amazon is 120GB. For the price difference go with the 256GB.


Thanks a lot.

I have now narrowed down to the MX100 and the Samsung 840 Pro; the later being priced at about $80 higher

Which one do you think should I go for considering the price-to-performance ratio?

Sorry if I am asking too many questions on this, but SSD is all new to me so I want to make sure I pick the right one

Thanks

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October 11, 2014 1:32:05 PM

In theory the Pro is better and it offers a longer warranty, but I'd go with the MX100 and use the $80 for something else.
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October 11, 2014 1:34:56 PM

Go with the MX100,it's a great SSD.
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October 11, 2014 1:41:01 PM

Thanks a lot guys - so it's MX100 for me :) 

One last question - after installing the SSD, do you guys recommend a clone of my OS and Programs or a clean install instead?
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October 12, 2014 2:19:28 AM

It is safer to do a clean install of the OS rather than cloning it,but it takes longer.
I would do it like this:
1. Back up all my programmes,files,music etc.
2. Reset the HDD.
3. Perform a clean install of the OS on the SSD
4. Put the backed up programmes on the SSD.

Like GhislainG said,it's up to you,but this is how I would do it.(provided that you have a copy of Windows 7/8/8.1)
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October 12, 2014 5:11:34 AM

Unfortunately you can't really backup MS Office, Visual Studio, etc. and copy them back to the SSD. You have to reinstall them.
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October 12, 2014 7:05:36 AM

Not a big issue IMO. :) 
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October 12, 2014 9:06:27 AM

I didn't care about the PC that failed because I could reinstall everything in a couple hours, but it would have been a serious issue with my PC as I need it for work and that's why I image it regularly. The OP knows about the applications currently installed on his system and he certainly can determine how long it would take to reinstall everything.
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October 13, 2014 3:50:11 AM

Thanks guys

I think I am gonna go with a clean install instead.

Apart from Win 7 the others apps I have are MS-Office, Photoshop, Visual Studio and a few nifty utility apps. So I think with an SSD I can round it up all within a couple of hrs.

I am keen on getting the MX100 for me but the only concern I have is with their support system here in India. I haven't been able to locate a service center of Crucial or Micron in my city so far.
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October 13, 2014 5:05:54 AM

If you're concerned by Crucial support in India, then buying a Samsung EVO instead of a Pro shouldn't be that much more expensive.
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October 14, 2014 2:58:38 PM

Just to update you all - I went out on a limb and ordered the MX100 256 GB

I got an additional 10% off on eBay with the total cost coming to $119

Hope it works out well for me :) 
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October 14, 2014 9:54:12 PM

Wish you good luck. ;) 
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!