Options for upgrade

[raildogg]

Hi everyone, I have the following system:

AMD Athlon X4 635
4GB RAM
Gigabyte 880GA-UD3H
Integrated graphics
500GB HD
520W Seasonic PSU
23" Monitor 1920x1080

I don't game as of right now. I feel a little boost in speed would be nice. I was thinking of adding an SSD and additional 8GB(4GBx2) of RAM.

My budget is around $300 but can be flexible.

I mainly use this computer to surf the web, read, write, watch movies, etc. Not too demanding. I may start gaming, but as of right now, I don't game much. I just play some older games which run fine on integrated graphics.

What other upgrades do you guys think will provide a benefit? I honestly don't really need an upgrade but I guess I just want to.

Thanks.

 

[DSF]

I could see an SSD providing some benefit, but I can't imagine what 8GB of RAM would do for the usage you mentioned. You shouldn't even be taxing the 4 you've got.

 

[lehtv]

Just getting an SSD will benefit you a lot. Since you don't need to install games on it, 128GB will definitely be enough

Samsung 830 128GB $94

 

[raildogg]

I could see an SSD providing some benefit, but I can't imagine what 8GB of RAM would do for the usage you mentioned. You shouldn't even be taxing the 4 you've got.

You make a good point. However, sometimes I do have many items, such as tabs and web pages, open and it feels a bit slow. I guess since it costs $33 to get 8GB I felt this would be a good upgrade, but you might be right that I may not even utilize the 4GB RAM I have now. Maybe I should monitor it and find out. Thanks.

 

[raildogg]

Just getting an SSD will benefit you a lot. Since you don't need to install games on it, 128GB will definitely be enough

Samsung 830 128GB $94

That seems like a nice SSD, but it does not come with the bracket. My case is an Cooler Master Elite 335 and it does not have internal 2.5" drive bays so I was thinking the following verson of the SSD you listed above might be better. It comes with the brackets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147134

Thanks.

 

[lehtv]

That seems like a nice SSD, but it does not come with the bracket. My case is an Cooler Master Elite 335 and it does not have internal 2.5" drive bays so I was thinking the following verson of the SSD you listed above might be better. It comes with the brackets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147134

Thanks.

That's $26 more expensive. You can get the drive without a bracket and buy a third party bracket for $5

 

[Ken g6]

I really don't see much of a need to secure an SSD in a desktop case, if it's staying in one place all the time. There are two reasons I can think of to secure a regular HDD: preventing shock damage if it falls over or something and preventing it from moving itself around as the mechanical parts move. SSDs don't have mechanical moving parts, and they're relatively resistant to shock damage. My Crucial M4 has been loose in my case for months, with no problem.

 

[riversend]

Why not just get another 2x2 set of RAM? No need to go to 12GB even if you decide to start to game.

Agree with the SSD, that will be a nice upgrade. Just doing a clean install of Windows will probably make your system more responsive if you have not done that in a while.

 

[raildogg]

That's $26 more expensive. You can get the drive without a bracket and buy a third party bracket for $5

You are right that is more cost effective, but the $120 version includes a bracket and imaging software, which I currently do not have. I'm sure there is free imaging software available but is the overall package not a bit better? Appreciate the help.

 

[raildogg]

I really don't see much of a need to secure an SSD in a desktop case, if it's staying in one place all the time. There are two reasons I can think of to secure a regular HDD: preventing shock damage if it falls over or something and preventing it from moving itself around as the mechanical parts move. SSDs don't have mechanical moving parts, and they're relatively resistant to shock damage. My Crucial M4 has been loose in my case for months, with no problem.

Yes, but if a bracket can be used to secure it, then why not?

I may move the case in the future so having secured parts might be better, if only they appear to be secure anyway, LOL.

There are plenty of people who don't secure their SSDs from what I gather.

Thanks.

 

[raildogg]

Why not just get another 2x2 set of RAM? No need to go to 12GB even if you decide to start to game.

Agree with the SSD, that will be a nice upgrade. Just doing a clean install of Windows will probably make your system more responsive if you have not done that in a while.

You are right about the 2x2GB. I only considered the 2x4GB because it is only $14 more than the 2x2GB. But, since I will likely never utilize that much RAM, it is probably more efficient to go for the 2x2GB.

Do you think cloning the current HD to the SSD will be an acceptable move? Starting from a fresh Windows installation on the SSD might be opmimal but if cloning can provide similar results, then why not? I can go either way.

Thanks.

 

[lehtv]

You are right that is more cost effective, but the $120 version includes a bracket and imaging software, which I currently do not have. I'm sure there is free imaging software available but is the overall package not a bit better? Appreciate the help.

Do you think cloning the current HD to the SSD will be an acceptable move? Starting from a fresh Windows installation on the SSD might be opmimal but if cloning can provide similar results, then why not? I can go either way.

If you're going to upgrade the motherboard, you will have to do a fresh install. But I would do a fresh install anyway, just backup any essential data and reconfigure your settings once reinstalled, it only takes a couple of hours.

 

[riversend]

Do you think cloning the current HD to the SSD will be an acceptable move? Starting from a fresh Windows installation on the SSD might be opmimal but if cloning can provide similar results, then why not? I can go either way.

Thanks.

How long since you did a fresh install? I cannot stand doing OS installs, but the combo of the two (SSD and fresh) would be really nice.

 

[raildogg]

If you're going to upgrade the motherboard, you will have to do a fresh install. But I would do a fresh install anyway, just backup any essential data and reconfigure your settings once reinstalled, it only takes a couple of hours.

Will there be a significant difference in performance in a fresh install of Windows with an SSD upgrade? If it is a minor speed increase then I may not do it.

Thanks.

 

[azeem40]

Yes, your windows will open as soon as you click the icon.

 

[lehtv]

Will there be a significant difference in performance in a fresh install of Windows with an SSD upgrade? If it is a minor speed increase then I may not do it.

No, there probably won't be a significant difference. But I'd do it anyway

This looks like a decent free cloning tool http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeghost/

 

[raildogg]

I just ordered 4GB of RAM (2x2GB) and a Samsung 830 128GB SSD. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[riversend]

Awesome, that will be a nice boost on your system, especially the SSD. When you install the OS on the SSD, make sure all your other drives are disconnected. I have read that folks have had issues when the SSD is added to a system and a fresh install attempted. Then reconnect after the OS is up and running.

 

[raildogg]

lehtv, thanks for the link.

riversend, I originally planned on cloning the HD to the SSD but I may go ahead and do a new install of Windows. I will disconnect the drive if I do go the new install route.

So as I understand it, I need to enable AHCI in BIOS and then simply exit BIOS. Then, disconnect the HD and connect the SSD. Then install Windows. Hopefully, this is right but please do correct me.

If I were to clone the HD to the SSD, I would enable AHCI and then disconnect the HD. Then simply boot up with the SSD and then connect the HD. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

 

[riversend]

If you do a clean install then definitely enable AHCI on the BIOS. Do not forget to SAVE as you exit.

I have not done any cloning so would be remiss about advice there. Not sure how the "older" windows install would handle the drive, although I would guess there would be no issues.

 

[mfenn]

lehtv, thanks for the link.

riversend, I originally planned on cloning the HD to the SSD but I may go ahead and do a new install of Windows. I will disconnect the drive if I do go the new install route.

So as I understand it, I need to enable AHCI in BIOS and then simply exit BIOS. Then, disconnect the HD and connect the SSD. Then install Windows. Hopefully, this is right but please do correct me.

If I were to clone the HD to the SSD, I would enable AHCI and then disconnect the HD. Then simply boot up with the SSD and then connect the HD. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

You need to edit the registry if you switch from IDE mode to AHCI mode with the same Windows install.

If you elect to do a fresh install (recommended), don't hook up the HDD until after Windows in completely install. That will ensure that your boot loader gets to the right place.

 

[raildogg]

You need to edit the registry if you switch from IDE mode to AHCI mode with the same Windows install.

If you elect to do a fresh install (recommended), don't hook up the HDD until after Windows in completely install. That will ensure that your boot loader gets to the right place.

So are these the correct steps when doing cloning?

1. Clone the SSD
2. Edit Registry using above link
3. Enable AHCI
4. Disconnect HD and connect SSD
5. Boot system and then reconnect HD

I appreciate the help.

lehtv, the drive I ordered comes with North Ghost software so hopefully it will work well with cloning. I am leaning towards cloning. Maybe down the road I will do a complete reinstall of Windows.

 

[mfenn]

You should be doing the clone from bootable media (i.e, not within Windows), so change the procedure to:

1. Edit Registry using above link
2. Shut down, connect SSD
3. Boot to BIOS, enable AHCI
4. Boot from cloning utility's media and clone
5. Shut down after clone
5. Disconnect HDD and leave SSD connected
6. Boot system, verify that everything works
7. Shut down then reconnect HDD
8. Boot into BIOS, make sure SSD is ahead of HDD in boot order

 

[raildogg]

I think I will just do a fresh install. For that I believe I just need to enable AHCI and then disconnect the HD and connect the SSD and then boot.

Thanks a lot.

 

[mfenn]

I think I will just do a fresh install. For that I believe I just need to enable AHCI and then disconnect the HD and connect the SSD and then boot.

Absolutely correct.

Thanks a lot.

No prob.