P1Fanatic

I just ordered an SSD ready to install a fresh copy of Win 7 64bit on my pc. In my haste I mistakenly ordered the 2.5” version which arrived today. Other than the physical dimensions and that ideally I need a 3.5” to 2.5” bay conversion is there any real issue running a 2.5”? It’s an OCZ Agility 120gb. The 3.5” version is called the Vortex. Looking at the performance stats they are almost identical?

Are 2.5” prone to more issues due to more compact size? Suprisingly the 2.5” is £5 cheaper.

Oh and I only have a SATA2 motherboard so even the only slightly better performance of the 3.5” version would be reduced anyway.

Cheers
Simon

DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

That will work fine. Pretty sure the 3.5 are just 2.5 in a larger outer case anyway.

P1Fanatic

Cheers. Thought as much. Power usage when active does appear to be higher but tbh no I have it I'd rather not return it unless something glaringly wrong with using one.

I assume as SS no issue in not having it secured in a drive bay until I get an adapter? Not like my pc ever gets moved.

albob

I have a 2.5 in my Pc - the adaptor came in the box. cant see it being unsecured causing any probs.

SSD's are fast .................!!

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I have the 2.5" in my pc and it just connects up to all the usual sata connectors. They are actually better due to taking up loads less space

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Its a great time to buy the Samsung 830 SSD's with the 840 series due out, the average person won't be able to tell any real time difference between the 830 and the 840.

The 830's will drop even more in price when Samsung will want to offload its 830 series stock, i'll probably wait a bit then get another 256GB. They are great drives.

ScoobyJawa

I'm running an 830 128MB 2.5 in my PC. I did have an OCZ before but it failed, not sure if the new ones have a better reputation, but best at mo seem to be Intel (expensive) or Samsung 830/Crucial M4.

P1Fanatic

Cheers guys. Well I have an OCZ now so I hope it’s reliable enough. I went to do a firmware update and it was already running the latest version so that’s cool.

Currently my BIOS SATA mode is running as IDE. I changed it to AHCI as that seems to be recommended for best SATA performance. However my current Windows Vista Drive failed to load. I can’t see a way to select this setting on a per SATA port basis so assume its at controller level? So is it something you have to run from the start and can’t just toggle or could it be that my old primary HDD (WD Raptor 74gb) isn’t AHCI compliant?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

What motherboard (and chipset) are you using?

Tony

CREWJ

I have 3

A 256Gb Samsung 830 in my rig and another 256 in my laptop.

Then I have a spare 120Gb OCZ Vertex 3 because I upgraded.

Love SSDs they are the best upgrade for any computer by far.

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

Haven't ever seen a 3.5 inch SSD, thought they were all either 2.5 or disk on a card.

P1Fanatic

Asus P5k-e / Intel P35

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Me too I just used a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter caddy.

If you had windows installed without enabling AHCI first, then it won't boot if you switch on AHCI afterwards...A repair install of windows should fix it if you have full the installation discs (not recovery DVDs,). ( alternatively try this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976#method2 )

AHCI should have been switched on from day one before installing anything regardless of drive type, unless you are running a hardware managed RAID array. Its not a new thing; I learnt that the hard way when I first had WinXP x64


Good luck with the drive...OCZ and Corsair have had big problems in the past, hopefully they've ironed everything out by now.

Evolution Stu

iTrader: (2)

2.5 will be fine, I have 4 of them in mine, all unsecured, just sat on a shelf.

Here are 2 of them. (on the shelf above PSU)

CREWJ

A lot of people just velcro them to the side of the case (Inside).

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Nice setup Stu

Here is another way you can install your SSD, i don't use it personally but it will certainly be vibration free and well ventilated.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=18269719

CREWJ

This isn't mine but it is mounted like this;

http://silverstone-usa.com/images/RV02/RV02_3s.jpg

P1Fanatic

Probably a similar registry fix like I found on Overclockers forums:

http://cdn.ithinkdiff.com/wp-content...09/05/ahci.reg

Run that on your IDE installed Windows, restart & change BIOS setting to AHCI and Windows will load no problems. Worked fine for me on Vista and 7

Evolution Stu

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys, I like those ideas actually but my OCD wont let me move them out of sight of the window. Spent too much money making it look good. LOL

Ant

I've just put a vertex 3 in my pc, the difference is amazing .

Considering doing the mbp now

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Already dropping in price, grab a bargain. I'd expect them to go even lower until all the 830 stock is shifted.

http://www.dabs.com/products/samsung...m_content=Q200

CREWJ

Wow they are still going down...

Huntyuk

iTrader: (1)

OCZ are not bad at all - just dont buy kingston ... mine lasted about 3 months and packed up ....