Taking the SSD plunge

[Maiyr]

Hi all,

The system drive on my old C2D system is about to die. I have an older MB with an open sata port (BFG NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI Socket 775)

So if I wanted to add an SSD to replace the current system drive I would need:
- Samsung 850 EVO 500gb drive
- 4 pin to SATA power adapter
- SSD drive mounting kit
- SATA cable

Am I missing anything?

I am assuming if I google I'll be able to locate fairly straight forward instructions to image my current system drive to the new SSD and make it the boot drive?

Thanks,

Maiyr

 

[Elixer]

Not sure why you want a mounting kit... you can use velcro if you want.
I assume your system don't support ACHI or NCQ? The 850 might not be the best fit for that system.

The clone process is easy enough, and I think the 850 has included software that can do it, or you can use one of the many free cloning programs out there.

 

[Maiyr]

Thanks Elixer. So this got me to looking... "assume your system don't support ACHI or NCQ".

You are correct, it does not and so the SSD would need to run in IDE mode. From what I am reading this may negate any of the speed enhancement I would have realized by going from a spindle drive to an SSD. Maybe I need to rethink and just get another spindle drive or is there an SSD out there for us old timers that don't have ACHI support?

Thanks,

Maiyr

 

[Mike64]

Realistically, a mounting bracket is simpler and easier, if you have room for it and don't mind spending the $5...

Am I missing anything?

What OS are you using? Windows 7? Since I'm still using Vista, I can't speak from personal experience, but apparently you can clone your drive with built-in tools in Windows 7 and above, but only if the old drive was itself 500MB is the same size or smaller than the SSD. Otherwise, you're going to need external imaging software. There are free programs available on the Web, but I can't suggest one over another from personal experience (I just did a clean install when I switched, myself.) If you're using Vista, you'd need external software in any event.

Also, since your MB has SATA data ports, do you not have a free SATA power plug floating around your case? If you do, you of course wouldn't need the adapter.

As for using an SSD in IDE mode, it should function with any SSD (and basically any SSD will be faster than any HD). But since it's performance will be hampered, there's just no point in spending the money on a fast(er) SSD when it won't be able to perform at it's best in any event. On the other hand, if you're planning to upgrade your computer in the fairly near future (and won't be using the old one afterward), you could just use the drive you're buying now for that, in which case there's certainly no harm in buying a faster one.

 

[Maiyr]

I didn't even think about that, but the OS I am using is Windows 10.

I will be upgrading within a few months and so this SSD could follow me into the new system as my current system will be dismantled.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Maiyr

 

[LTC8K6]

I'm thinking that I read somewhere that RAID mode turns on AHCI for those chipsets?

Could also get a PCIE card with SATA 3 ports?

 

[Elixer]

Thanks Elixer. So this got me to looking... "assume your system don't support ACHI or NCQ".

You are correct, it does not and so the SSD would need to run in IDE mode. From what I am reading this may negate any of the speed enhancement I would have realized by going from a spindle drive to an SSD. Maybe I need to rethink and just get another spindle drive or is there an SSD out there for us old timers that don't have ACHI support?

Thanks,

Maiyr

Well, you won't see anywhere near the speeds you would if you had a SATA 6gb/s controller, but, access times still would be faster than most spindles, so things will be 'snappier', but it won't be a night/day difference. The controller on that just isn't that capable.
Here is some food for thought: http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=106338

You could opt for a new controller card as was mentioned, but, not sure it would be worth it.

You still can get the 850, I just meant that you can save some $$$ going for a lower tier product, since your system won't be able to take full advantage of the fastest SSDs out there.

 

[Mike64]

I didn't even think about that, but the OS I am using is Windows 10.

It doesn't really matter except that I don't think pre-Win7 Windows' backup functionality could save a "moveable" disk image. But unless your HD is itself 500MB or less, you still need an external program to do the cloning. (That, or go through the cumbersome process of backing up everything on your HD, then deleting everything except the OS stuff...)

I'm thinking that I read somewhere that RAID mode turns on AHCI for those chipsets?

Dunno about that specific chipset, but that is how I had to go about enabling AHCI on my late 2008 model Dell C2D with its irritating semi-proprietary, modified-just-for-Dell motherboard and BIOS (in which IDE and "RAID" are the only 2 options)...

 

[tweakboy]

Do it Your system will blazing

 

[tweakboy]

Nice, rig,, let us know