Dual Harddrives & HDMI question

[numerouno]

Alright so I was wondering If I were to install a SSD to my computer along with a normal hdd, how would it work or would it even work?

I guess what I'm trying to ask is if it did work, which hard drive would it mainly read from? Also if the SSD becomes fully filled would the transfer rates still be fast once it uses the HDD?

Current SDD I'm looking at is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231414

Next question I have is how would I go about to connect my ps3 to a pc monitor? I know it connects hdmi from the ps3 but what do I look for in the monitor, and also what cable would I need?

Would this one be compatible? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

Sorry if this makes no sense, I am a noob when it comes to computers so I have no clue what I'm saying. I just learned the parts and how assemble two days ago online, I created a computer yesterday. These are my specs

Cpu: I7 950
MB: P6X58D-E
Ram: Kingston Hyper X triple channel 2gbx3
PSU:Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W 12V
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB
Video: Evga GTS 450

Bonus questions Actually I was surfing the web yesterday checking out if my psu was good, because it was not what I wanted originally but it's what they had in stock. So I found that my Thermalake supposedly dies quickly and the volts on it are not that good. Would this psu be able to run dual videocards of the GTS450 or later versions if I were to do so in the future, or should I replace it? Also overclocking question, I used cpu-Z and it displays my core speed as 1.6k mhz-3.2k mhz does that mean I've overcloked it by .2? Also how do I know if its overclocked because I just compared the Core MHZ/1000 to the processors GHz being 3.06.

Maybe I should of posted this in the storage section oops , but if anyone could answer my questions
Thanks in advance!

 

[rolli59]

The SSD would be best used as an OS drive for fast load times. It is not going to speed up any other drives and if it fills up it will slow down so there is best to leave min 15-20% free space on it for page file and other temporary files. The second HDD could be used for storage space and other programs.
It is best to connect the PS3 to the monitor using a HDMI cable.
Your PSU could handle 4xGTS450 in quad SLI!

 

[al360ex]

Hello,

First, your question about the SSD. You would mainly use it as a "boot" drive. This means that Windows will be installed on this drive. It'll take a max of 20-30Gb on the 60Gb you have. Then you'll install on it the programs you use more often, like your Anti-virus software, Microsoft office, etc. Whatever you install on it will load faster.
Now, I'd recommend installing your games, programs that take a lot of space, and your personnal documents on your 1.5TB HDD. Otherwise, you'll quickly run out of space on your SSD. Files located on your HDD will run at the speed of your HDD. Files located on your SSD will run at the speed of your SSD.
As for the one you picked up...I've heard nothing about it, and it doesn't have a lot of reviews.
I'd recommend this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550
I own one similar (the 120Gb version), and it's an excellent product. You wont regret it. Plus, it's less expensive than the one you planned to buy.

Second question. Yes it would be possible to connect your PS3 to a PC monitor. However, since PS3s support 3D, I would buy a 3D compatible monitor. That way, you'll be ready for what the future (by that I mean the next 5 years) throws at you.
I've heard good things about this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236092
If you don't want 3D, the one you chose is excellent. It's quite expensive, but that's because it's bundled with the Nvidia 3D Vision kit, which you need in order to watch 3D. That way, you'd be able to play 3D games/movies from your PC and your PS3.

Concerning your PSU. I'd really go with Corsair on this. Or at least Antec. A 750w would be more than enough though.
This one is great : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016
I've got the 1200w version, and I am really happy about my purchase. You'd also be OK if you ever planned to do SLI (2 video cards)

As for your overclocking question...
Follow this guide : http://www.techreaction.net/2010/09/07/3-step-overclocking-guide-bloomfield-and-gulftown/
It's the best out there for the i7s in my opinion.

I hope this cleared things out for you,
al360ex

 

[al360ex]

The SSD would be best used as an OS drive for fast load times. It is not going to speed up any other drives and if it fills up it will slow down so there is best to leave min 15-20% free space on it for page file and other temporary files. The second HDD could be used for storage space and other programs.
It is best to connect the PS3 to the monitor using a HDMI cable.
Your PSU could handle 4xGTS450 in quad SLI!

He has more than 4Gb of RAM...at this point, pagefile becomes unecessary. Also, if you don't use hibernate mode, I'd disable it. "pagefile.sys" and "hiberfil.sys" will take about 20Gb off your SSD. What I did in my build is take an old HDD I had lying around and I use it for storing "pagefile.sys" A couple of years ago, it was a necessity, but not nowadays.
As for "hiberfil.sys", if you don't plan on using the "Hibernate" mode, I'd simply disable it too.

Good luck !

 

[numerouno]

Thanks for answering, these posts are really helpful they've answered my questions. Now I'm debating if I really need a SSD or not, would you recommend having one?

Also I looked up on that SSD previous to the the one I found, the transfer rate is excellent; but when I checked the 1 egg reviews I'm not quite sure =/
As for the hdmi cable I just want to make sure
http://www.cbit.ca/product.php?productid=5632&cat=0&page=2
would be compatible correct?
The monitor you recommended was not quite in the price range I was looking for
Out of these two which one would you recommend?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4942567&sku=A466-2406
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

Oh and about the PSU, would you really recommend I change it? I bought a 750w coolmaster yesterday but the thermal lake was only $30 more for 100 more Watts so I exchanged it.

 

[rolli59]

I would go with the 24" monitor. For the PS3 since the monitor has HDMI I would go with a normal HDMI to HDMI cable and connect the GPU on DVI.
The Thermaltake is an OK PSU but not worth the restocking fee to exchange it for something better.

 

[al360ex]

Thanks for answering, these posts are really helpful they've answered my questions. Now I'm debating if I really need a SSD or not, would you recommend having one?

As for the hdmi cable I just want to make sure
http://www.cbit.ca/product.php?productid=5632&cat=0&page=2
would be compatible correct?
The monitor you recommended was not quite in the price range I was looking for
Out of these two which one would you recommend?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4942567&sku=A466-2406
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

Oh and about the PSU, would you really recommend I change it? I bought a 750w coolmaster yesterday but the thermal lake was only $30 more for 100 more Watts so I exchanged it.

First, your question about the SSD. If you can spare the money, you should really buy one. Everything is so much faster ! When you boot, or open your account, it does so almost instantly.

As for the monitor itself...it depends on your distance from it.
If you can afford it, this one is REALLY good : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009206
If that's too expensive for you, there is a 23" version of it, which is not as good, but still in the high end branch of monitors :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009255

Both are LED backlit...and it really makes a BIG difference.

Now, for the HDMI cable...
If you pick the more expensive monitor, you need to buy 2 of them...one to connect your PS3 to your monitor and a seconde one to connect your video card to your monitor.

If you pick the less expensive one (the 23"), you need to buy 1 HDMI cable to connect your PS3 to your monitor and 1 DVI cable to connect your video card to your monitor.

As for the PSU...I would really change it. It will probably die on you in the second year. Especially if you add a second video card. Also, don't forget that all your components are connected to it...so if it fries, it might very well overload them all at the same time.

EDIT : There is an included HDMI cable with each of the monitors. But it might be too short for your needs.

Good luck !

 

[numerouno]

Best answer selected by NumeroUno.