need help - express cache and ssd config

Hi. I bought a new 530u3c i5 ultrabook, that comes with 24gb iSSD, and I'm having some doubts about upgrading HDD to SSD. They're several and are all over the place, so i'd like to apologize in advance for any inconsistency in my questions.

- Is it worth it? Considering I have a entry/low level Transcend 128GB SSD to use (220/260MB/s R/W), will it be faster, when compared to using express cache hibernation/boot settings?
- If not, why? Does anyone know R/W speeds on these iSSDs?
- If yes, can I easily setup my iSSD to run linux in boot selection mode? My main idea is instead of running multiboot, just use bios boot selection menu to choose either to run SSD (Win) or iSSD (linux).

TIA.

 

1) The SanDisk iSSD P4 8GB on my NP700Z3A is not particularly fast. I do remember someone posting R/W tests about a year ago, you will have to search for it, probably in the ExpressCache thread. Even then, it definitely speeds up my HDD quite significantly (Hitachi 750GB 7200rpm). If you have a 5400rpm HDD, the relative speedup should be even better.

2) Still, running directly off a "real" SSD will absolutely be faster, no matter what SSD it is. Both because that SSD is probably faster in itself, but also because ExpressCache is just a cache -- which doesn't cache everything, and adds overhead when it populates the cache.

3) You cannot boot the iSSD directly, you will have to boot off a partition on the main drive with Grub, Windows Boot Manager etc. If I had 24GB iSSD (instead of just 8GB) I would definitely install Win8 on it (yet, it's doable). Same goes for Linux of course.

 

If you want 2 OS then SSD cache is definitely wrong. Install Windows on the ADATA SSD WHILE no other ssd or hdd is inside laptop. Then install linux on 24GB SSD while no other SSD or HDD will be inside laptop. Then put both inside and use BIOS for boot.

Also suggest to backup ADATA frequently.

 

Did you try this on a Samsung laptop?

 

Well, after reading your answers, I believe it's time to go all over the place as promised earlier..

I'm actually undecided in placing the SSD between 2 laptops, one - Samsung NP550P5C- i7 3610QM|nvidia 630m|12Gb RAM|1TB HDD, for which i have a DVD to HDD caddy for placing the original HDD. I think i'll have more performance here, but this is my office laptop, and its almost always in a fixed position. Also, i do not have express cache here, and this is my main/most used lappy.
In the other hand i have my Samsung ultrabook NP530U3C- i5 3317U|HD4000|8Gb RAM|500Gb HDD, which i constantly move around with, but rarely use it in motion (I use tablets for that purpose). Also in this laptop i don't have a DVD drive to put a caddy on it, but my 1TB external solves that problem.

I'm planning on buying an additional 256GB SSD, but I probably won't for the next couple of months considering the new nexus 7 takes priority on my wishlist. Sorry for the testament stating all those reasons above, but i really want you to see it under my perspective in order to help me make the best choice for now. Hope you guy can help me.

Thanks.

 

What is so special with them? They do not have BIOS/UEFI inside?

 

Dunno about this iSSD issue, but things are never linear regarding boot and other BIOS functions, it changes from laptop to laptop, and my guess is those functions are limited from board manufacturers, isn't either BIOS chip or file program issue.. i.e. - Some laptops boot SD card readers, some don't. Some boot USB3, others don't.

Cheers.

 

As I mentioned in (3) above, you cannot boot directly off the iSSD in these Samsungs, it's not supported by BIOS (at least the models I know). So the suggestion to take out other drives and install on the iSSD simply won't work. But I don't see why you would, anyway: Just install the OS on the iSSD and put a boot manager on the Active/Boot partition of the main drive.

As for which laptop to put the SSD in: I would say it's a balance between which one most needs the speed boost (probably the 530) and which one has additional storage capability to complement the relatively small SSD (the 550 with the optical bay). Only you can prioritize those.

If you DON'T want to install an OS on the iSSD, the 550 will still be able to make use of ExpressCache to speed up the 1TB HDD (in the optical bay) while in the 530 the iSSD would go unused: You don't want to cache the 128GB SSD through the iSSD (that would just slow it down). So if you put the SSD in the 530, I would definitely install the main OS on the iSSD.

One other thing to consider: If you intend to dual boot multiple OS, the ExpressCache software has an idiotic "feature" (they claim it's by design) where it will flush the cache every time you boot another OS (or even just boot a USB source or DVD). That would make sense if the cache was implemented in hardware or on the BIOS level; but ExpressCache is just a software program, and even if you only install it in one OS, it will still flush the cache every time you boot anything else, requiring the cache to be re-populated when you come back. It's very frustrating, and means you shouldn't use ExpressCache if you intend to dual boot a lot.

 

After reading your answer, I believe I might have to let go the dual boot on my 530. Seems like too much issues for me. I'll just boot linux from usb, hassle free. What's mostly frustrating in installing the SSD on my 530, is having a sense the 24gb issd will become mostly unused..

Just a quick correction, my 550 does NOT have iSSD. Only the 530 has.

Cheers.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

OK, got it (about only 530 having iSSD). You could still install Windows on the 128GB SSD and Linux on the iSSD (using a small boot partition on the SSD). But you won't have much space left on the SSD. Probably better to shoehorn Windows into the iSSD and keep the 128GB for programs and data. Then (as you said) boot Linux from USB when you need it.

Either way, will this be a better use of the iSSD in the 530: ExpressCache would flush anytime you boot Linux, and with the 128GB SSD in there you don't need ExpressCache.

OTOH if you put the 128GB SSD in the 550, you can have a fast SSD dedicated to Windows and programs and frequently used data, and leave the HDD (in the optical bay) for bigger things. This would alleviate the drag that the slow HDD currently imposes on performance (not having ExpressCache on that machine).

Still, only you can make the decision. I am not sure all these pros/cons actually make it easier for you

Edit: If you install the 128GB SSD in the 530 and keep Linux on USB, of course you won't HAVE to shoehorn Windows into the iSSD. You can just install it on the 128Gb SSD (probably faster anyway, and can be booted directly) and use the iSSD for storage. Just be careful not to use the iSSD for data that is constantly updated: Remember the iSSD on the motherboard and cannot be replaced if you should wear it down.