Is my PC compatible with an SSD and an HDD?

[Ethan Richards]

My Specs:

Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
CPU
AMD FX-6300
Vishera 32nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 799MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
MSI 760GM-P34(FX) (MS-7641) (CPU1)
Graphics
LCDTV16 (1920x1080@60Hz)
ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics (MSI)
2048MB ATI AMD Radeon R7 200 Series (ATI AIB)
CrossFire Disabled
Storage
931GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 (SATA)
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NSC0
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

I want to know if it would be a waste to add an SSD to my PC, and could I even do that. I've recently gotten back into 3D Animation and things, and I know that having an SSD loads things a lot quicker than just a hard drive. Could I add an SSD to my PC and keep my current hard drive? Would it be beneficial, or would it just be a waste of money, considering my specs and things.

 

[CTurbo]

Yes your motherboard has more than enough sata ports for multiple hard drives and ssds

 

[Ethanh100]

Yes get an ssd, you will see huge improvements in overall responsiveness of the system, as well as in some programs. All you need to support an ssd is a spot in your case to support it, and a SATA cable with an open port on your motherboard. Check and see if you have an open sata port, you likely do, and see if you have any extra sata cables, usually 2 come with the motherboard. Then just plug it in with the psu and the sata cable, and install windows on that drive.

 

[Ethan Richards]

Yes get an ssd, you will see huge improvements in overall responsiveness of the system, as well as in some programs. All you need to support an ssd is a spot in your case to support it, and a SATA cable with an open port on your motherboard. Check and see if you have an open sata port, you likely do, and see if you have any extra sata cables, usually 2 come with the motherboard. Then just plug it in with the psu and the sata cable, and install windows on that drive.

Now when I install windows on that drive, I can keep all the data on my hard drive that I use now, and I can still access it right? Itll just be as if I added an additional hard drive right now?

 

[Ethan Richards]

Yes your motherboard has more than enough sata ports for multiple hard drives and ssds

Now when I install windows on that drive, I can keep all the data on my hard drive that I use now, and I can still access it right? It'll just be as if I added an additional hard drive right now?

 

[R_1]

that motherboard has a SATA limit of (3Gbps) 375MBps. the current realm of budget drives are a good deal faster than the bus available. Be aware you will not get full reported speeds with that motherboard, the best possible would be 375MBps
unless you tend to upgrade the motherboard soon do not buy a top of the line SSD (smasung 850), you will only reap about 3/4 of its speed.

 

[Ethan Richards]

that motherboard has a SATA limit of (3Gbps) 375MBps. the current realm of budget drives are a good deal faster than the bus available. Be aware you will not get full reported speeds with that motherboard, the best possible would be 375MBps
unless you tend to upgrade the motherboard soon do not buy a top of the line SSD (smasung 850), you will only reap about 3/4 of its speed.

I'm not too motherboard savvy, but since I would be running Windows off of the SSD, couldn't I just use SATA cord that is in my hard drive for the SSD and use a different one for the hard drive, or are all of the SATA ports limited at 375MBps?

 

[R_1]

the SATA controller on the motherboard has a speed limit of 3Gbps, newer board have a bus that is twice that size, 6Gbps or 750MBps. (SSD drives W/R speeds are @ 550MBps)
it is the controller on the motherboard that will slow the works. you can get a faster controller that will plug into the PCIe slot that will allow the drive to go full speed. like so. example only not a product endorsement
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124045&cm_re=SATA_3_PCIe-_-16-124-045-_-Product

375MBps and 750MBps are theoretical maximum speeds and do not account for overhead. actual speeds achieved will be @300 and @600

 

[Ethan Richards]

the SATA controller on the motherboard has a speed limit of 3Gbps, newer board have a bus that is twice that size, 6Gbps or 750MBps. (SSD drives W/R speeds are @ 550MBps)
it is the controller on the motherboard that will slow the works. you can get a faster controller that will plug into the PCIe slot that will allow the drive to go full speed. like so. example only not a product endorsement
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124045&cm_re=SATA_3_PCIe-_-16-124-045-_-Product

375MBps and 750MBps are theoretical maximum speeds and do not account for overhead. actual speeds achieved will be @300 and @600

So I can replace the current controller that I have with the one you linked and that will alleviate the speed limiting on my buses?

 

[R_1]

Any ad-in SATA III controller will alleviate the bottleneck the SATA II controller will have.
the SATAII controller on the motherboard are still perfectly suited to hard drive and CD-rom use.
2.5 inch SSD's really need a SATA III controller.

 

[Ethan Richards]

Any ad-in SATA III controller will alleviate the bottleneck the SATA II controller will have.
the SATAII controller on the motherboard are still perfectly suited to hard drive and CD-rom use.
2.5 inch SSD's really need a SATA III controller.

Okay, Ill look into getting that before I buy an SSD then. Thanks for your help!