Installing a SSD in a HP Pavilion dv5125ea

[DiabolusItalicus]

I'd like to install a SSD in my good, old HP Pavilion dv5125ea running Windows XP SP3.
I've already verified the notebook has a SATA I 2.5" hard disc.
Q1: Are SATA I SSD still on sale? In a preliminary eBay search, I only found used SSDs...
Q2: If no SATA I SSD are available, can I install a SATA II/III SSD instead?
Q3: Does the BIOS of this old notebook support the use of a SSD?
Q4: Supposing it does, do I need anything else (e.g., drivers) to secure the SSD will run correctly?
Regards from Italy!

 

[i7Baby]

A SSD on a sataI port would be a waste of time. The sataI port would have it run as slow as a HDD.

 

[DiabolusItalicus]

A SSD on a sataI port would be a waste of time. The sataI port would have it run as slow as a HDD.

Wow, that's surprising... aren't SSD inherently faster than HD on equal connection?

 

[i7Baby]

SATAI per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA runs at 150MB/s.

SSDs can read and write faster than that - say 500MB/s read and 300MB/s write. But only if the interface runs fast enough for them to run that fast.

Its like trying to pump 10 gallons a sec of water through a half inch pipe. Can't be done. Only 1/2 a gallon comes though each second.

 

[DiabolusItalicus]

SATAI per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA runs at 150MB/s.

SSDs can read and write faster than that - say 500MB/s read and 300MB/s write. But only if the interface runs fast enough for them to run that fast.

Its like trying to pump 10 gallons a sec of water through a half inch pipe. Can't be done. Only 1/2 a gallon comes though each second.

Thank you i7Baby,
I understand your explanation, but my question was slightly different.
Let me rephrase it as follows: on a SATA I connection, would a SSD be faster than a HD, or would the difference be unnoticeable?
Thanks again!

 

[i7Baby]

No difference.

 

[DiabolusItalicus]

No difference.

OK, thanks. Case closed :-(