SSD for mom? lol

[Rhezuss]

Hey, i'm building a new computer for la mom, with a 500$ budget (she will keep her mouse, keyboard and LDC screen...and maybe her old ATX beige case). I'm planning to get her a A6 or A8 AMD CPU, 4gb DDR3, a nice mobo, dvd burner, etc.

Now, I was looking at a WD Caviar Blue 16mb 250gb HDD that goes for 70$. Out of curiosity I check the Crucial M4 64gb SSD at 90$...http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820148441

Question: Would a SSD be overkill for a light use like emails, internet, Office, etc?

Info: She actually have an old IDE HDD that have 60gb IIRC...she doesn't really need much more space. The only thing is I never installed a SSD and just want to give her a quick comp that will save me from the 3-4 calls a month I once had because her computer froze or shnitz like that

Thanks for your tips!

 

[dma0991]

Would a SSD be overkill for a light use like emails, internet, Office, etc?

Of course not. Even though they might not be as perceptive to how fast it will be, the responsiveness is definitely a plus. With a fast SSD, anything that is slow will not be noticed at all when it is fast enough to mask any delay/lag. Did I mention that you never have to defrag a SSD?

 

[Rhezuss]

Of course not. Even though they might not be as perceptive to how fast it will be, the responsiveness is definitely a plus. With a fast SSD, anything that is slow will not be noticed at all when it is fast enough to mask any delay/lag. Did I mention that you never have to defrag a SSD?

Thanks!
How "hard" is it to setup under Win7 Pro 64 bits? Do I have to do something special, enable anything in the BIOS or in Windows?

HDDs are easy to setup but i'm a newb when it comes to SSDs!!!

 

[GlacierFreeze]

Even though they might not be as perceptive to how fast it will be, the responsiveness is definitely a plus.

Responsiveness will be noticed, but I'm sure she'll love how quick the computer loads from start up.

 

[GlacierFreeze]

Thanks!
How "hard" is it to setup under Win7 Pro 64 bits? Do I have to do something special, enable anything in the BIOS or in Windows?

HDDs are easy to setup but i'm a newb when it comes to SSDs!!!

No special way of setting up SSD under Win 7. Just make sure AHCI is enabled in BIOS before installing OS and everything should take care of itself. Disabling hibernation will save some space too.

 

[dma0991]

Thanks!
How "hard" is it to setup under Win7 Pro 64 bits? Do I have to do something special, enable anything in the BIOS or in Windows?

HDDs are easy to setup but i'm a newb when it comes to SSDs!!!

Nothing special. You could just do like what GlacierFreeze has already mentioned or if you want to be a little bit more through about it, read this. Not necessary but if you feel like going through the trouble then by all means go ahead.

 

[Rhezuss]

Thanks all!
If she doesn't need over 60gb i'll sure get the Crucial M4.

The only thing I have a hard time finding is a case with a 2.5 drive bay or an adapter that doesn't cost 20$...

 

[TemjinGold]

One thing to keep in mind: SSDs are faster (and last longer) when less of the space is used. I wouldn't plan to get a drive that she barely fits her stuff on.

But to your question, getting an SSD is never overkill.

By the way, you may want to check out the 128gb pricing before you buy. For like $30 or so dollars more, you get twice the space and more speed (SSDs are faster the larger they are too.)

 

[GlacierFreeze]

I think some people just set theirs in the bottom of their case instead of getting an adapter. Would save ya a few bucks. Don't think there's any harm in it. More tolerant to movement shock and don't think magnetic fields affect them like HDD.

And I agree on at least considering the 128GB version.

 

[moriz]

I wouldn't bother. I installed a ssd in my dad's computer without ever telling him. That was six months ago; he hasn't noticed yet. Chances are it will be the same with your mom.

 

[dma0991]

Just use some double sided tape and stick it somewhere flat, it will hold and doesn't really matter much since it there are no moving parts. Another one you could consider is the Corsair Force3 60GB that comes with a free adapter but I prefer the Crucial.

I'm 50/50 on the 128GB because for some, my parents included, would find 64GB plenty to work with. 128GB is small for me though.

 

[Rhezuss]

Found an adapter for 6$...Rosewill that look simple enough and does the job.

I'll check the 128gb but currently i'm at 503$ which consist of this:

- Case : Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower
- Mobo : ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX
- CPU : AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 Quad-Core Desktop APU
- Memory : G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
- SSD : Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
- DVD : ASUS 24X DVD Burner OEM
- PSU : Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS BRONZE
- Rosewill RDRD-11004 2.5" SSD / HDD Mounting Kit for 3.5" Drive Bay
- OKGEAR 18" SATA 6 Gbps Cable Backward Compatible with 3 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps
Total: 503CAD (taxes and shipping included)

The case is optional and I might remove it from the list. If I do, maybe i'll upgrade the SSD to a 128gb.

EDIT: Well, the 128gb is 60$ more than the 64gb...I might pass on that one.

 

[GlacierFreeze]

Sounds good.

 

[TemjinGold]

I'm assuming we're talking Newegg since you have Rosewill in there. The 64gb is $81 and the 128gb is $125. Where do you get $60 more?

Also, dump the cable because your mobo will come with one. The mounting kit isn't needed either as you can just use some electric tape and tape it to a bay (I do that with my G2.)

Hmm... missed that you said CAD. Never mind. In any case, if price is an issue, my second paragraph still stands.

 

[Rhezuss]

I'm assuming we're talking Newegg since you have Rosewill in there. The 64gb is $81 and the 128gb is $125. Where do you get $60 more?

Also, dump the cable because your mobo will come with one. The mounting kit isn't needed either as you can just use some electric tape and tape it to a bay (I do that with my G2.)

Hmm... missed that you said CAD. Never mind. In any case, if price is an issue, my second paragraph still stands.

Yes i'm in Canada and I checked at newegg.ca (love that place).
You're right about the cables but for 6$, the bracket is not that expensive and would feel a little safer that way.

I may ditch it in the end though, we'll see.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Buy a ssd if money permits. Else leave it for the future

 

[Rhezuss]

Dumb question alert:
Can your create a partition on a SSD?

 

[GlacierFreeze]

You have to create a partition to install Windows. But your question is meant to be if you can create multiple partitions. Yes. Same as HDD.

I'd recommend against creating more than 1 partition with only a 64GB or even 128GB. That's just me though. Not enough space for margin of error if you don't leave enough space for any certain partition then you'll be wishing you made it bigger. Then you'd have to worry about using a program (or Win7) or adjust the size of them. I wouldn't worry with it, unless you were going at least 256GB drive, especially since it's for your mom's computer.

 

[Rhezuss]

Ok now i'm completely lots...check those 7 SSDs...whats the damn difference between all of them, except those with transfer kits?!?!!?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...d=1&name=128GB

 

[cmdrdredd]

SSD1 is the 7mm version, while SSD2 is the 9.5mm. The SSD2BAA is just the 9.5mm one but with an adapter bracket.

Doesn't matter what one you buy.

 

[taltamir]

No special way of setting up SSD under Win 7. Just make sure AHCI is enabled in BIOS before installing OS and everything should take care of itself. Disabling hibernation will save some space too.

And btw, you should do that even if installing on a HDD

 

[VirtualLarry]

Thanks all!
If she doesn't need over 60gb i'll sure get the Crucial M4.

The only thing I have a hard time finding is a case with a 2.5 drive bay or an adapter that doesn't cost 20$...

90GB SSD for ~$90, with free mounting bracket!
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2243045

 

[TemjinGold]

OP is canadian.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

My scenario was a little bit different than yours, but I ended up getting her a 64GB M4. I gave her my old C2D laptop which was slow as fudge (thank you 5400RPM drives). Did a clean install of W7, disabled hibernation, handed it off to her. In her case I felt it was justified, since a) she's a woman and will bitch nonstop if it's slow, and b) she doesn't do anything but surf. A was the main reason though lol.

I say go for it. I paid $90 for that M4 and am fine with it, since the useful life of that machine got extended out to at least 2014.

 

[Rhezuss]

Hibernation is disabled in Win7?
Or do I have to use psychic powers to do that?