My PC build needs a SSD

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thrice

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Jul 28, 2010
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New here. First time posting but I use this website as a reference a lot. I think I put together a pretty good PC build (I started with nothing at all), can't imagine what a pre-built PC with the everything the same would have cost.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
Ram: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H
Monitor: ASUS VH242
Case: Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP
Power Supply: OCZ 700MXSP
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB EARS
OS: Windows 7 system builders
TV Tuner Card: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR2250
Keyboard/Mouse combo: Logitech USB Wireless MK300
Heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
CD/DVD ROM: ASUS DRW-24B1ST

Anyways, here is my dilemma now though. I really, really, really! want to get a SSD for a boot drive but I don't want to spend too much, like <$125. So that means I'm probably looking at a 64gb drive. The main programs I run are CS4, Microsoft Office, Quicken, iTunes, Firefox and then OS will take up space. What I'm wondering is with a 1.5 TB HDD should I be ok with the 64 SSD for the boot drive? And then what are some of the best options for a 64gb SSD?

This right now is what I'm leaning towards, Kingston SNV425-S2BD/64GB but I'm hoping to see what others might suggest. Thanks!
 
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You should be just fine. I have a 64Gb SSD and I run just fine. The thing that you need to do is obviously you will install your OS on the SSD. But you should install most of your programs on the 1.5TB. During the installation of the programs change the destination path of the install to the 1.5TB.

I only install the programs that I use all the time on the SSD (Things like Google Chrome, My AV, Microsoft Office, etc.). Programs that you want, or need, that you only use occasionally, you should install those on the 1.5TB.

Also your choice of the SSD is not a bad one. Its not the top of the line by any means, but it is much faster than any standard Hdd.

The only thing I would change would be your heatsink. I would get a Noctua. Even though they might not be the best looking HSF's, they are the best. Period. This is the one I would suggest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608014

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!
 
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Thanks. I haven't installed my OS specifically if I get a different drive for booting. Good to know that I should pick and choose which ones I'll install to the SSD as that is what I assumed but never hurts to get more confirmation.

I'm definitely not gonna be able to afford top of the line but I don't want something that is a lemon or even something that is worth the money that a SSD cost.

I'll be staying with the heatsink for now as I'm hoping my CPU will stay relatively cool since I'm not doing anything taxing on my PC and my budget is pretty maxed but thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep it in mind for down the line.
 
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Just some helpful advice... as I think you may have read too many different things on here.

Firstly... there is NO reason you need a hyper 212+ cooler. Unless you are going to overclock your CPU, the stock heatsink is more than fine. And there is no reason to overclock your processor on a build you use for general computing. Save the money there - if you don't care and want to buy it anyway, dont forget to order thermal grease (id reccomend arctic silver 5)

nextly... there is no reason for a 700 watt power supply... but I know they are on sale for dirt cheap on newegg (like $60 from original retail of around $150) - so it's a good choice.

Lastly - Why would you take up 15gb of your SSD with windows 7? Do you really care that your machine boots in 10 seconds instead of 20?
I'd absolutely but windows on your regular harddrive... and use the SSD for adobe, and any other programs you use. (it sounds like you don't even really need 1.5tb HDD etiher??...?)
 
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I would actually install the OS on a SSD.. (although it doesn't really matter, windows experience index bases its hard drive score on ONLY the PRIMARY hard drive, meaning the OS HD) Why else would you get an SSD? You're telling me that you don't care about boot times but care about loading Photoshop in less time? the OS boot time is considerably longer than photoshop load time. I use photoshop cs4 at work occasionally and my comp has a regular hard drive. The first opening of photoshop doesn't take that long but then every subsequent opening of the program just gets quicker. You should see what other people have to say too.

Also, let him get the 1.5tb HD if he wants. Conventional HD's are pretty cheap now and might as well get bigger if he's going to put his media on it.
 
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Most everything I bought was more than I needed but was also cheaper or equal price to what I would have got if I had not gotten good deals. Plus I had my last PC for 6 years so I plan to keep this one for a long time without having to upgrade much besides storage and RAM, so basically I wanted to be relatively future proof.

The CPU the first day it was out for almost 40% off, my PSU is massive but yeah I only paid $60, the heatsink was $25 and maybe a little excessive but the stock one just looked so wimpy I easily talked myself into an aftermarket unit.

I don't care too much about the OS booting faster but it is a plus. I just want a SSD to get everything else going faster because my last PC was such a dog in today's terms I was tire of how slow everything was. The HDD will definitely get full because I have a lot of loseless audio, ultimately plan to back up my Blu-Rays, shoot a lot of home videos, etc..
 
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For fastest boot & access times, install OS AND ALL PROGRAMS on the SSD! 64GB shoud be plenty. 40GB would be to tight.

Then use the HDD as a data/media drive, for all your "Libraries" like My Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, etc. You can drag and drop these from the C;/Users" folder to the HDD drive (i.e. D;/) after OS installation.

I have Win7 Home, Office 2007, Quicken 2010, iTunes, Norton Security Suite, and IE plugins (i.e. Abode Reader, Flash, Shock) and stuff, and it only takes up 22+GB of my 80GB SSD set up.
 
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Ahhh I'm a stupid stupid man with a credit card (that I pay off each month so don't give me flak) 😀

I went ahead and got this OCZ Vertex2 60gb for $135. I deliberated between this and the Kingston drive and decided that there probably wasn't a huge difference I just thought the extra $25 was well spent on a SSD that I knew what going to be a high quality product.

In the end I think I will be very happy that I spent the money to get a SSD for my boot and high used apps and left the Caviar Green drive I bought a couple months ago just be a data drive.
 
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I'm also one of thoes deadbeat, who pays their card Off each month. I normally charge about $3 grand a month - HATE to pay interest!!

(1) SSD - Excellent choice for your SSD, Vortex 2 = better than Kingston

(2) Did not see what Graphics card you were putting in. GPU and CPU primarilly determine PSU. Many put to gether a good -> high end sytem and select a "not so good" PSU. I gather you already bought the PSU - Might think about returnning it (if Possible). Many buy a low end PSU and live to regret it.. Remember if the PSU dies there is the chance that it could take out your MB, CPU ect.

A ati 5770 would probably be a good choice. Would need to check for CS4, but would run every thing else. With a 5770, your power requirements would be under 400W. A 450 W corsair (less than $60) would have been an excellent choice. Their are some 500 -> 550 W PSU that would also be a much better choice.

OCZ makes some EXCELLENT PSUs, but they also make some "Bad" (my word) ones, ie tier 4 Which is not recommended. This is only one step above - DON'T Buy. See Link below.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

Although I take Newegg reviews with a grain of salt, I would not put that PSU in my system. See Link, and read reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018&Tpk=OCZ%20700MXSP
 
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I'm definitely happy about my SSD. I didn't want to spend the money that a 128gb would cost but I think this OCZ will suit me well and hopefully will be worth the extra $30 over the Kingston.

Hmm well I bought the PSU from Tigerdirect back in May because it seemed like a good deal, didn't see anything too negative (didn't know quite where to look though) and knew I wouldn't need all the power but the deal/price seemed to be providing me with a better bang for my buck. So right now I can either take a hit on it and get something that is higher quality and less power, or take my chances. I'd lean towards the latter but I don't know, will a PSU failing cause harm to any of my other components?

That thread was helpful and I see it has been updated in the last 4 months but I wonder how much with it being a 4 year old post.

I didn't buy a GPU yet because for right now I won't be doing anything that the mobo ATI graphics can't handle (I hope). I'll just bide my time until something like a 5770 or 5850 come down to the $100 - $125 range.
 
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What I would do is keep an eye on the +5 and +12 Volts, if you see a trend of either voltage slowly dropping over time, You know it's time to get a new one. Periodically look at the +5, +12 Voltages while under a heavy load, ie run Prime95 and/or furmark. (Min valuse are 4.75 V and 11.4 V (Myself I ditch a PSU if the +12 drops to 11.6V)
 
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I'd say a 60 gig OCZ is your best bet.

With intel, you get faster reads, but the 40 gig is too small for you and the 80 is out of your price range
With kingston, I would not recommend the V series, as they are on the slow end of SSDs, not worth the price premium over, say... VRs
If you must go with kingston, try a 64Gig V+ series drive, although you might get a better deal with OCZ anyway.
 
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