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    Thoughts on adding a Crucial 256 GB m4 SSD to my gt780dx

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by newasususer, Jan 5, 2012.

  1. newasususer

    newasususer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just bought an msi gt780dx and am thinking of adding a Crucial 256 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD2 ($379) as my primary drive and using the stock hard disc as my data drive. What are your thoughts and is it easy to do? (Seems like a good price for the performance upgrade)
     
    newasususer, Jan 5, 2012
    #1
  2. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    many, including myself have a SSD drive for boot and a second drive used as a data drive.

    ther 256GB drive is the better option IMO. gives you room to have the OS and a few apps you want to have the quick acess to.

    bear in mind if you let the SSD drive get close to the max capacity the read/write speeds can take a big hit. thus it's always better to have as big of a SSD drive as you can afford.
     
    dave-p, Jan 5, 2012
    #2
  3. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Do it! Its very easy. Once you have a taste of it you wont be able to go back to your old hard drive.
     
    long2905, Jan 5, 2012
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  4. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    WhatsThePoint, Jan 6, 2012
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  5. ryzeki

    ryzeki Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    I dunno man. I have them filled 95% already, and my speeds dropped about... 8%. Tho in some cases its actually faster by 1% haha :D

    But that speed difference varies a lot, sometimes its 0%... So maybe it depends on how good the SSD is handling the data? Besides, SSDs excell at reads more than writes so if your disc is lamost filled, they should still be able to give good performance.
     
    ryzeki, Jan 6, 2012
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  6. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    I have not seen it myself, but i have not loaded my SSd above 70% either

    but i have seen tpics on the issue out there

    it may not be as big of an isssue with the newest controllers...time will tell.
     
    dave-p, Jan 6, 2012
    #6
  7. newasususer

    newasususer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good feedback! Here's where it gets sketchy... I use the laptop for business but want all the speed and power because I do many professional presentations and do a lot of work in Photoshop. That said, I do NOT know my way around the computer and all the "basic" nuances of what to do, not to do, shortcuts, troubleshooting, etc. I can install ram but that's about where my skill level ends. I'm told that Crucial provides a complete data transfer kit so that I can clone my C drive and then make my existing hard drive, my data drive. BUT, unless its a step by step instruction, I'm concerned I'll begin only to get caught in the middle and mess everything up. Best Buy has a special going on right now that they claim this is easy and they will do it all for $100. I'm inclined to do it but of course, we are talking about handing my living over to Best Buy so that speaks for itself... I looked briefly around youtube for some very specific videos regarding exactly how to do this but didnt find any.
    So, now that you are more in tune with what I can't do, what are your thoughts? Is what is involved easy enough for someone who knows even a little that Best Buy would be a safe option? (or do you know anyone really good at this stuff in Orlando, Fl?)
     
    newasususer, Jan 6, 2012
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  8. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If i am anywhere near you i would do all that for half the price lol. But seriously i tend to put all important documents and pictures, etc into the d partition or an external hard drive. Then put in the windows installation disc and do a fresh install. To me thats the easiest, headache free method.
     
    long2905, Jan 6, 2012
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  9. newasususer

    newasususer Notebook Enthusiast

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    And thats still a thought. BUT, I never got a windows 7 disc with the computer... Can I make on off of the existing win 7 that came on the computer as well as the msi programs which are required to operate some of the computer hardware?
     
    newasususer, Jan 6, 2012
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  10. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    if you have the Windows key you can download the Windows 7 software and use your key to activate it

    Check out the Windows Software forums here for more nfo
     
    dave-p, Jan 6, 2012
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  11. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can download the windows 7 iso like dave p said and put it in a flash drive, no dvd required. There should be a driver disc included in your MSI box.
     
    long2905, Jan 6, 2012
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  12. newasususer

    newasususer Notebook Enthusiast

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    will do - do you know if the windows key can be found on the existing operating system? I did not receive a key when the computer was delivered...
     
    newasususer, Jan 7, 2012
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  13. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Under the battery...
     
    long2905, Jan 7, 2012
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  14. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can use the Advanced Tokens Manager to backup your current activation and apply it to a clean installation.

    http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...Tokens-Manager-The-Activation-Backup-Solution

    Post #4973 may help when doing a clean Windows 7 installation on any computer.
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi...t780-gt783-owners-lounge-498.html#post8177509
     
    WhatsThePoint, Jan 7, 2012
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  15. newasususer

    newasususer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sure enough - This is why I love these forums! Thanks!!
     
    newasususer, Jan 11, 2012
    #15