[Dell Precision M4800] Can I Reformat Everything When Delivered?

Hey guys, firstly I want to thank OneCharmingQuark and Aaron44126 for assisting me and answering my questions on the specs I've ordered.

So here's the specs I've paid and is currently being assembled (in China )
i7-4900MQ
32 GB RAM
1920x1080 Resolution (didn't get the 3200 one, because I won't need it).
nVidia K2100M
512 GB SSD
256 GB mSATA

But here's the problem. When I have paid everything and the sales manager finalized everything; I asked if it is possible to install the OS (Win 7 Pro) at the 512 GB SSD and set it as the primary drive. He said he couldn't, because Dell has preinstalled everything inside the mSATA. I was stunned.

Won't this fully utilize the SATA3-SSD? I was told that the mSATA is only SATA2. So if they install the OS in the mSATA (SATA 2), it would be under-utilizing it right? Wouldn't it be better if I reformat everything, install the OS in the SATA 3 drive and just use the mSATA (SATA 2) as a storage? Will there be a slight difference? Or is it pointless?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I have never updated myself on PC knowledge for years.

 

That's bogus. The mSATA drive shows up like any other disk. If you want to boot some Windows install media, wipe it clean and do a fresh install, that's fine.

If you want to use a different disk as the system drive, that's fine too. I recommend making sure that the drive you're using as the system drive is the only drive connected when you do the Windows install, to make sure Windows doesn't try to put the boot stuff on a different drive. (Disconnect other drives, or disable them from the BIOS.)

The drivers are all available from support.dell.com.

For drivers, I personally tend to go with the minimum required from Dell, using drivers bundled in Windows, from Windows Update, or from device manufacturers directly when possible. Off the top of my head, the only drivers I'm using for the M6700 from Dell are the for the freefall sensor, fingerprint reader, touchpad, and I also have the "Dell feature enhancement pack" installed for the power options.

 

Thanks Arron.

But is it advisable to format everything and re-install the OS on the SSD SATA-3?

Because I was told that SATA 3's transfer rate is 6 GB/S; whereas SATA 2 (the mSATA) only runs at 3 GB/S.
So if I were to install the OS on a 3 GB/S drive; it is pointless as it is capped to run just that speed; so even if I retrieve files from the SATA 3 SSD, it only transfers at a maximum cap rate of 3 GB/S. Then I'm told that it is better to install the OS and set the SATA 3 as the primary drive.

What do you think?

 

If you are going to have two SSDs (one regular 2.5" and one mSATA), I'd say it is better to install the OS on the 2.5" drive, as you mentioned, you'll get the SATA-3 speed of 6 gbps. Use the mSATA drive for data if you like.

(It doesn't matter *that* much. Even at SATA-2 speed the mSATA drive will run circles around a traditional HDD when it comes to booting up the system and launching apps.)

 

hello!
sata 2.. sata 3 its just a cap of sata interface
but you have cap of ssd "speed" too

here the link about sata differences and example
Difference between SATA I, SATA II and SATA III

 

This, You want the SSD for the random performance, sequential too, but it's often how it handles random I/O that makes it shine for OS and program use and those won't be capped by te SATA II interface. SATA III will indeed offer a bit more snap to the system, but even on SATA II, the performance will be quite good. Go SATA III if you can, but it won't be a big loss if you're on SATA II.

 

In this post Dell-Mano_G has confirmed, that mSATA in M4800 is SATA3 spec, 6GBs:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ed-mobile-precision-m6800-46.html#post9392881

 

But the manual states SATA 2

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ed-mobile-precision-m6800-71.html#post9595535

 

It wouldn't be the first time a Dell manual was inaccurate.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Indeed, I have seen some errors in the M6700 manual, like the location of the bluetooth module. It's residual copy/paste errors from previous manuals.