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    SSD + USB3 caddy combination

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Ixel, Jun 8, 2011.

  1. Ixel

    Ixel Notebook Consultant

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    Hi all,
    I have a question. I am considering going the SSD route, but prices remain fairly high still, especially UK retailers, so I am thinking of perhaps getting a 100-200GB size range SSD.

    Well, firstly any recommendations for an SSD of that size range, not so fussed about performance as long as it beats my current hard drive (in the signature), which I'm sure most would due to their low response time for a starter.

    Secondly, the question, I am going to use the Momentus XT in a USB3 caddy, but was wondering before I go ahead (in the next 1 hour or so before order cut off time) if it's worth doing. Will the speed of USB3 be good for running large games or files off the Momentus XT via a USB3 caddy?
     
    Ixel, Jun 8, 2011
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  2. Ixel

    Ixel Notebook Consultant

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    Well as nobody has replied yet I'll probably take the plunge and get an Intel SSD in the next 20 minutes, somewhere in the range of 80-160GB. Buy a USB3 caddy for my current hard drive and hopefully transfer rates will be reasonably good via USB3.
     
    Ixel, Jun 8, 2011
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  3. madmantm

    madmantm Notebook Consultant

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    with a standard 7200rpm drive in a usb3 caddy i was able to get 110mb sustained

    So i think you might get good results with a SSD.

    I read articles that the momentus XT had issues so i would check that out first.
     
    madmantm, Jun 8, 2011
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  4. TitanGod

    TitanGod Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm assuming you want to keep the optical drive since you want to get an external caddy for USB 3.0 use.

    Cause you can always use an internal caddy and remove the optical drive.

    Check out the guide in my signature.

    Also, I have a USB 3.0 drive and it maxes out around 120 MB/s for files sizes between 0 - 3GB. For files greater than 3GB it slows down sometimes to around 40 MB/s.
     
    TitanGod, Jun 8, 2011
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  5. Abao

    Abao Notebook Enthusiast

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    There's lots of recent threads regarding SSDs and HDD optical drive swaps. You should check those for more info :)
     
    Abao, Jun 9, 2011
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  6. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    I am interested

    In your findings, as me like you will like to keep the DVD driver, please ones done let us know how it worked out
     
    solrac13, Jun 9, 2011
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  7. Ixel

    Ixel Notebook Consultant

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    Well I've made my order today instead, and after a bit more reading I've decided to buy the OCZ Vertex 2E 240GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive at £269.99 (special offer this week only). It should arrive via Royal Mail Special Delivery tomorrow (usually early morning for me).
     
    Ixel, Jun 9, 2011
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  8. stonehz

    stonehz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    After some reading about dual hdd drives

    I ended keeping my cd rom and getting this:

    Icybox / IB250STU3B / 2.5 inch SATA / USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure

    I plan to use it with the original 500GB HDD and install the SSD in the system.
     
    stonehz, Jun 9, 2011
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  9. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    I have been looking at that vertex, but just couldnt quite stretch to it so ordered the £125 120gb vertex instead. both great deals for SSD's.
     
    ninja2000, Jun 9, 2011
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