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    80GB mSATA SSD Caching

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by T2050, Apr 22, 2014.

  1. T2050

    T2050 Notebook Deity

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    If you configure a new Alienware at this time, and you want to have a caching drive, seems to be offered with 80GB drive. I am perplexed to as why? Intel RST caching has a limit of 64GB and no more, whats the point having 80GB drive in which you can't use the remainder, with that being wasted.

    80GB mSATA SSD Caching

    Alienware 14 Gaming Laptop | Dell

    80GBmSATA.JPG
     
    T2050, Apr 22, 2014
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  2. wrext0r

    wrext0r Notebook Geek

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    I've got this caching option in my 17. 64gb are used for caching the remaining space is available as a secondary hard drive.

    sent from my Nexus 5
     
    wrext0r, Apr 22, 2014
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  3. T2050

    T2050 Notebook Deity

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    Figured that. Even with 64GB end user does not end up with an actual 64GB. In the case on the 80GB drive I guess it makes sense, as it would be 74.5GB actual, therefore can use a real 64GB.

    Also 80GB drive might be faster than a 64GB drive, if it has slightly more interleaving and channels.
     
    T2050, Apr 22, 2014
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  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    True ^^ It makes more sense to have the 80GB drive. Besides you can use the remaining space to install a couple of games.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Apr 23, 2014
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  5. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'd imagine the reason for 80gb and not 64gb might just be down to parts available and deals that Dell source from manufacturers for provision of said drives. If you look at the parts list at the start of the 14 Owner's Lounge, you can see that when launched, Dell offered LiteOn 64gb mSata's. I think that then changed to Intel 530 80gb mSata's. I think the LiteOn drives had their fair share of firmware issues as there are several firmware updates on Dell Drivers & Downloads - majority of which are for LiteOn drives.

    I don't know which drives are shipping now, but there does seem to be the possibility that they are either Intel or LiteOn, both 80gb capacity. Who knows, maybe Dell sourced a good deal on one over the other and that dictates what they are using currently. I do know that there is no way to specify which you would get in a new order - just luck of the draw according to stock, I imagine.

    As for mSata caching and the fact the drives are a tad larger than caching is able to use, as Brother Porras said, you could use that extra bit of space for something like a game or two - if you partition the mSata accordingly to use 64gb for caching and format the remaining partition for whatever. It ain't gonna be much, you'd probably get a a couple of games on the remaining partition as mentioned.
     
    steviejones133, Apr 28, 2014
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  6. T2050

    T2050 Notebook Deity

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    I know Intel has said that there is no point in making the cache any higher than 64GB, but that was about 2 years ago now.
    We have heard the old "640K is more memory than anyone will ever need on a computer," way back in the day, but as we know things change.
    Is there any indication that the limit with be increased above 64GB sooner rather than later?
     
    T2050, Apr 28, 2014
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