Question Regarding Caching SSD

Hello all!
Just a quick question. I just ordered my MX14 R2 yesterday! I'm very excited. But I had a question in regards to what I ordered. I thought I just ordered the 500GB HDD but it turns out that they gave me the 32GB Caching model. Thats all fine and dandy because it was all in my price range but 2 questions. (Kinda new to laptops and newer tech sorry!)

1. What exactly does the SSD do? Is it just what it sounds like? All of my recently used items get put into the SSD for quicker access or is it something completely different and I'm having a noob moment?
2. Is it possible to load W7 on the 32GB SSD and use the HDD for everything else? That would help with boot times and overall windows speed correct?

Any help will be very appreciated! I am LOVING this forum. Plan to spend allot of time here!

 

1. Yes you are right , faster , its mSata SSD.

2. Yes you can install Win 7 OS in 32gb , but take it note , after you install it , it might have not enough space for your window 7 upgrade , internet browser , downloads , cookies , youtube caches. I don't suggest install Win 7 OS in 32gb mSata , unless you know how to relocate those data to save in different drives.

 

So basically, you'd recommend just leaving it like it is? And just letting it do its intended function? How exactly does it work? Does it really add much of anything to speed/functionality of the PC?

 

A typical windows 7 install will take up about 20gb depending on the version you install (Home Premium/Pro/Ultimate). So you'll have about 12gb leftover to install what you want on there. I would only install the applications that you absolutely want to load fast onto the SSD, everything else install onto the secondary drive. iPhantomhives is correct though that you're running the risk of running out of room doing so.

One thing you can do is set it up to use SRT and just put everything onto the mechanical drive. http://download.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/intel_smart_response_technology_user_guide.pdf

 

And doing that will make everything besides the main OS (and anything else I want on the SSD) boot/run off of the HDD?
Will I have to wipe both the SSD and HDD and install the OS onto the SSD and just format the HDD? Or can windows be on both and I can access all files without any problems/errors?

 

Friendly bump due to I'm getting my rig soon and would like to know how this all works

 

Yea , you need to format the HDD & mSata SSD , since its cached.

You need to separate both drive first , in the bios raid screen , after separated I believe you can't get into desktop anymore , you need need to format both drives.

If you installed OS in HDD , mSata SSD , then you may just use F12 to change boot priority to which OS you wanted to use. you still can access all files , eg checking the folder of other drive in my computer eg; (c: ) (d: )

Since you are getting your machine soon , backup with alienrespawn is the best way without reinstall everything again.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...k-drive-aftermarket-drive-alienrespawn-q.html