Best way to install a SSD to boot Windows 10, should I wait until I buy a new motherboard?

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user700

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Here is my setup:

System Model: Dell Studio XPS 8100
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @2.67GHz (4 CPUs) Lynnfield 45nm Technology
Motherboard: Dell Inc. 0T568R
Memory: 12.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (2x 2gb, 2x 4gb) Speed:1333MHz Slots used:4 of 4 Form factor: DIMM
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit DirectX 11
Graphics: 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Power Supply: XFX ATX 550w - P1550SXXB9
Case: CiT Vantage Type-R, 4 Fans, Model 8818R Midi Tower
Monitor: Samsung 27" C27F390(1920x1080@60Hz)
Hard drive 1192GB (2x WD6400AAKS 640GB HDD)

After receiving help in this thread: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3346766/upgrade-cpu-motherboard.html#xtor=EPR-8809 I have decided to upgrade my Motherboard, CPU and Ram to this:

Intel Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard Asus PRIME B250-PRO ATX LGA1151
Memory Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133

I want to buy and install a SSD to boot Windows 10, I was planning to buy and install the SSD now and save up for the Motherboard & CPU. Do you think I should wait and install the SSD at the same time as the Motherboard?

This was the SSD i was planning to buy: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

The trouble is I don't like to delete things like photos etc even if I have them backed up, so I currently only have 50gb free of a 1.1gb HDD! I can't afford a much bigger SSD so need to find out the best way to do it all.

My Windows 10 is fully updated and I have tied my licence to my Microsoft account.

I saw this advice in another thread on Toms, is this my best option if I want to boot from a SSD but keep all my data?

'1) If you have a Windows Installer Disk and your Windows Key you can install a fresh operating system on your SSD. From there, you can have both drives plugged in, and as long as you boot from your SSD you will still have access to all the data still living on the older drive. (This isn't ideal, as your old OS is still taking up room on the HDD, but if you don't have an external drive it is your best option)'

As well as the SSD I was also going to buy another 1TB HDD just so I have plenty of storage but 3 HDD's and an SSD is getting complicated!

 
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USAFRet


No, you should wait until you get the new motherboard, etc, and then install the OS on the SSD.

Possible ways forward:

1. SSD now, clone from old drive to new SSD
Later, new motherboard and the possibility of having to do a clean install with the new board.

2. SSD now, clean install on the SSD
Later, new motherboard and the...
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corroded

corroded

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I run an SSD for boot, a 3TB HDD for files and Profile folders, and another SSD for Games.

I started like you w/ an HDD for everything, then I got a second HDD, made folders and moved my main Profile folder contents to the second HDD. This allowed me to uninstall applications down to where I could clone on top my first SSD, a 120GB. I quickly found that the 120 is too small and moved to a 250~ SSD for boot. Along the way I got pissed about something and reformatted the boot SSD and reloaded Windows from the ground up. This was a much better running machine. I did have to reload applications.... BUT the game and user data was still in it's default locations (mostly) and I was able to just continue.

Later I added the Game SSD and larger files HDD as I filled it up.

Helpful?
 
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user700

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Thank you for the reply. So are you suggesting I do a clean Windows install on the SSD or clone my HDD (once I reduce size)?
 
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user700

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Would these be a better option?

Crucial CT275MX300SSD4 MX300 M.2-2280 SSD 275GB (im guessing this requires a M.2 connector, so would depend which motherboard I buy)

Crucial CT275MX300SSD1 MX300 2.5" SSD 275GB
 
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user700

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If I do a clean install on the SSD and use that as my boot drive but keep my old HDD connected will I still have access to all my files, games etc?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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"Files" yes. Doc/Music/Video...Sort of convoluted to get to, but yes.
Games...if Steam games, yes.
Otherwise, they'd need to be reinstalled.
 
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user700

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Ok so if I decided to buy a new SSD now I would do a clean install of windows, keep my current HDD running with my files etc on then when it comes to installing a new motherboard & CPU I would need to do another clean install on my SSD.

So if I use this method there is no need for me to clone my old HDD?

Is it a case of any 'files'/games in a certain location would still be accessible from my old HDD?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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No, you should wait until you get the new motherboard, etc, and then install the OS on the SSD.

Possible ways forward:

1. SSD now, clone from old drive to new SSD
Later, new motherboard and the possibility of having to do a clean install with the new board.

2. SSD now, clean install on the SSD
Later, new motherboard and the possibility of having to do a clean install with the new board.

3. SSD and motherboard later, and do a clean install with ALL the new hardware
Guaranteed to work, and you don't have to potentially do it twice.


The 'files' and stuff that currently exist on the HDD can be worked out later.
With a clean install on the SSD, you will have to reinstall all your applications anyway.

Steam games can almost certainly be moved and accessed as needed, without reinstall.
Game saves, you'll have to discover where they are in relation to your User folder and/or the game folders.
Find and move them accordingly.
 
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user700

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Thank you all for your advice. I wanted to do it in stages to avoid buying it all at once but I can't ignore you all saying to do a clean install with all the new parts present.

I plan on buying the following:

Intel Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor £187.99

Asus STRIX B250F GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard £107.94

G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory £102.60

Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive £86.80

Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive £64.41

Total: £549.74

I was going to go for a cheaper board and ram but for the extra £30-40 I would rather the good looking board to match my Strix graphics card and the better looking Ripjaw ram.

I will transfer my files and data to my new 2TB HDD, remove my 2 old HDD (later on I might format one and add it back in if needed), install my new SSD and do a clean install of windows. Is this the correct procedure? I have heard it is best to have at least the motherboards drivers installed on a stick, do I need to prepare any other drivers? I will also make a recovery disk.




 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Primarily, you need the LAN driver on a USB.
Once that is installed, you can get everything else.
 
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user700

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I have purchased all the above components, I am just waiting for the SSD to arrive.

I have installed my new 2TB hard drive, partitioned it (one volume) and formatted it ready for use. It shows up fine and is ready for use.

I plan for the SSD to be my boot drive for windows and then my new 2TB HDD for all my files, photos etc (afterwards I will format my old HDD and either keep as spares or leave in the system for extra space).

So my question for the moment is what files do I need to transfer to my new 2TB HDD. I don't really want to clone my old HDD because I don't want all the old OS and system files left on there. I just want to make sure I transfer everything else to my new HDD before I do a clean windows install on my SSD and format my old HDD.

Please could you advise.

Also as a side note, is it ok if I download windows to a usb in advance and do I have to unplug my new non OS hard drive before I make the windows install usb?

pn2BWZMij
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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The only stuff you need to transfer to the 2TB is your personal files.
Create a top level folder on that drive...call it MyStuff.
Under that, create subfolders of Doc, Music, Video, etc.
Copy the files from the existing HDD to the new 2TB, into the relevant folders. Just the files...not the top level Documents folder.
There is really nothing else usable from the old OS install.

When you get the SSD:
Disconnect all other drives.
Install the OS on the SSD.
Assuming your current OS is activated, when you install and it asks for the license key, select "I don't have a product key"
Later, when the system goes online, it will activate itself. MS already knows the details of your system.

After it is all installed, you can designate folders on that 2TB as targets for Documents/Music/Video, etc.

see these for how to redirect that stuff:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

And yes...you can create the Win 10 USB thing now, and have it ready for the OS install on the new SSD>
And again...find and save all your drivers.
 
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user700

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Great thanks I will make the windows usb now.

As well as my photos etc I will also transfer my save game folders.

The only bit I would like you to clarify please is the last comment. I thought the only driver I need to have on a usb is the network driver for the usb? Then when I do a fresh install I can connect to the internet to download the drivers for everything else?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Not the "network driver for the USB", but rather the driver for the motherboard LAN adapter. If you're using an ethernet cable to connect to the router.
If you're using WiFi, then you'll need that particular driver.

Either get all of them now, or get just the LAN driver now and download the rest later.

All the same thing.
 
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user700

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Sorry I meant to say motherboard not usb and yes it is via LAN not wifi. Great thank you.
 
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user700

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I assume there is no point in setting up the folder redirects to my 2TB HDD now as when I do a clean windows install on my SSD it will probably auto assign the locations to the SSD.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Correct.
The new OS will know nothing about that.
 
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user700

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Build is done and went well! Thank you for all the help.

Hardware installation went fine, most time was taken up with cable management as my case has no void by the back panel.

The only snag was that windows 10 wouldn't re-activate. I followed the correct process before by switching to Microsoft online account and linking the licence to my account and when I done a clean install I made sure I installed the same version but whatever I tried it just wouldn't recognise that I had a licence linked to my account. After a online chat with Microsoft they didn't understand it either so gave me a new licence key :) I also had a 500gb HDD fail with bad sectors after formatting but it was old and I had enough storage anyway.

So my system specs are now:

Processor: Intel Core i5 @ 3.40GHz Kaby Lake 14nm
Motherboard: ASUS STRIX B250F GAMING ATX (LGA1151)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit DirectX 11
Graphics: 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Power Supply: XFX ATX 550w - P1550SXXB9
Case: CiT Vantage Type-R, 4 Fans, Model 8818R Midi Tower
Monitor: Samsung 27" C27F390(1920x1080@60Hz)
Hard drives: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive, Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" HDD and 596GB Western Digital HDD

It is all running smoothly, haven't had chance to test it in any games yet as I have been installing software and games etc.

The only original part from my old Dell XPS8100 is my WD harddrive!

Before upgrade:

pmpe4JPWj


Parts used:

pm4GTETSj


Motherboard, CPU & RAM:

pn4VZeFuj


After:

pnlOo5hrj


Setup:

poVUejEsj



The only thing I want to change now is the stock cooler.
 
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