Need advice about configuation. Noob

[Newkearns]

I built a need system and don't know if I am getting what I should from it.

GA-78LMT-USB3
AMD FX-4300
RADEON R7 250
4 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
120 GB SSD HD
1 TB USB SATA HD

I want to know if windows 7 ultimate is the right choice compared to windows 8.1 pro.

Just don't know what to do, I had a system crash trying to enable surround view, crashed learning to enable AHCI, and now I am afraid to make any adjustments without advice. I haven't updated the bios, the catalyst driver, and I am worried because my graphics installed crashed the AHCI until I disabled the AMD AHCI DRIVER which came with the install. I fixed the AHCI by reinstalling without the driver update, but this equipment is new to me and it is the most I have spent on hardware before. Don't want to blow out my Christmas present.

I benchmarked 2150 with Pass Mark.

HDINFO reports safe operations.

 

[Math Geek]

i'm not sure what your question is. if you're asking about windows pro vs ultimate the difference is that the pro version is used when connecting to domains such as in an office environment needing server logins and such.

unless you are using domains, you don't need the "pro" version. as far as the unltimate version is concerned, it also is not needed. the extra features there are not worth the cost. win 7 home premium or win 8.1 is plenty for normal system use.


as for the ahci stuff i am not sure what that refers to nor what problem you are describing. it sounds like you are having problems with video driver features but it is not clear to me.

can you restate that issue with a little bit more description please.

 

[Newkearns]

I am having very low read write speeds with my SSD drive unless running benchmark software, and I know little to nothing about them so I cannot tell whether I have a good configuration or not. I am just looking for some advice about software environment for SSD performance. During benchmark I received 210+ MB/s. read and write and my score seemed good but during normal operations I do not see the read write performance. I am watching HDINFO readings in real time.

 

[Math Geek]

the benchmark is maxing the data flow to the drive. during normal usage, the system may not be reading and writing at the max speed. a lot of programs and such run through the ram so you should see a data boost when you open a program then it will drop off once it is running since it is all in ram and the hdd is not doing anything. i'm willing to bet this is what your seeing. it's just that normal operation does not see the hdd being maxed out all the time.

try copying and pasting a few gb of files from one folder to another and watch it, or copy a dvd from the disk to your hdd, i bet right then it will get a speed burst since it is working fully for the moment. unless your seeing unusually long load times for stuff, then there is nothing odd about what you are seeing.