SSD Newbie....need some help

[Duvie]

First Thanks in advanced...

I have a decent machine I upgraded to newer technology but sadly my IO devices are a bit dinosaur....

Yes they are all SATA at least but...

1) Seagate 300GB SATA I (OS drive)
2) Maxtor 300GB SATA I
3) Segate 500GB SATA II (was from an external harddrive device)

What I need help with is...

I have looking at 120GB SSD....as much as I want to spend right now...

1) Do you recommend I make it my OS drive? I have heard some say yes and others say NO...

I have large files I would like to load and save a lot faster. LOTS....Probably 50gb I access routinely...REVIT, Autocadd files....

2) Is there an issue using AHCI when I have SATA I on some ports, SATA II on some ports and then a SATA III?

3) What Brand do you guys think is the most reliable while still being bang for the buck?

 

[exdeath]

Put OS, apps, and frequently accessed data on the SSD. If the data is lots of small files, definitely keep them on SSD. Use HDD to backup the SSD, store media, isos, etc

Use partition imaging software to backup the SSD to HDD so you can reimage in seconds at maximum HDD sequential read speed.

Intel or M4 for reliability.

Always have backups either way And start saving for more SSDs because you'll soon be throwing your spindles in the trash and deleting things to justify going SSD only.

 

[Coup27]

3) What Brand do you guys think is the most reliable while still being bang for the buck?

This would be the Crucial M4. Next model up I would recommend would be the Samsung 830. It is more expensive than the M4, I'll let your own research decide if its faster.

 

[Old Hippie]

Is there an issue using AHCI when I have SATA I on some ports, SATA II on some ports and then a SATA III?

Nope.

Please realize that any mechanical drive barely makes the SATA1 specs much less SATA2 or 3.

The SATA interface (1,2, or 3) makes no difference in the drive's speed and it will not benefit when installed on a faster interface.

And, AFAIK, all SATA drives are backward compatable.