asked on Intel SSD model and supplier recommendation request
Based on inputs to a previous question I now plan to upgrade performance on a Dell T7500 workstation by converting the two Western Digital Velociraptor 300GB drives to Intel SSDs. Each drive has about 130GB presently in use. For the system drive I have in mind about a 300GB SSD. For the data drive something more like 480GB to allow for expansion.
I'll need 2.5" drives and I'll get 3.5" to 2.5" adapters. The PC only has SATA-II but I figure to get SATA-III drives in case I want to move them to a new PC in the future.
The T7500 is used by a single user, not as a server.
Intel's site seems to recommend either 530, 335, S3500, or Pro 1500 series. I see very limited availability of these on Amazon, NewEgg, and CompSource.
Two questions:
* Do you recommend one of these (or some other) model line in particular? Why?
* Can you recommend a reliable supplier in the USA with good selection, quality customer service, and hopefully good prices?
Thanks,
Pete
I'll need 2.5" drives and I'll get 3.5" to 2.5" adapters. The PC only has SATA-II but I figure to get SATA-III drives in case I want to move them to a new PC in the future.
The T7500 is used by a single user, not as a server.
Intel's site seems to recommend either 530, 335, S3500, or Pro 1500 series. I see very limited availability of these on Amazon, NewEgg, and CompSource.
Two questions:
* Do you recommend one of these (or some other) model line in particular? Why?
* Can you recommend a reliable supplier in the USA with good selection, quality customer service, and hopefully good prices?
Thanks,
Pete
Storage HardwareStorageComponentsWestern DigitalDell
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Peter Bye
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I have two Intel 5xx 180GB drive working well since 8 months already. So also recommending them.
ASKER
Excellent suggestions, thanks.
garycase - you mentioned creating a dynamic volume with the two 240GB drives. I have four built-in SATA ports, so it is possible. How would I do that? Any potential problems that it creates?
A related question: The workstation has four 3.5" cages so space is not an issue. I see 3.5"-to-2.5" adapters that allow two 2.5" drives in one 3.5" cage. Should I be willing to do that or is it better thermally to separate them since I have the space?
Any additional good sources beyond Amazon, NewEgg, and Compsource that anyone is aware of?
Thanks,
Pete
garycase - you mentioned creating a dynamic volume with the two 240GB drives. I have four built-in SATA ports, so it is possible. How would I do that? Any potential problems that it creates?
A related question: The workstation has four 3.5" cages so space is not an issue. I see 3.5"-to-2.5" adapters that allow two 2.5" drives in one 3.5" cage. Should I be willing to do that or is it better thermally to separate them since I have the space?
Any additional good sources beyond Amazon, NewEgg, and Compsource that anyone is aware of?
Thanks,
Pete
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ASKER
Another aspect comes to mind: Protection.
Data protection is important on this PC. It runs Win 7 64-bit ultimate with Bitlocker enabled. Of course I'll disable Bitlocker before doing the SSD conversion.
Is Win 7 Bitlocker compatible with SSDs? Or are there specific Intel model lines with built-in encryption that I should prefer given the security aspect?
Pete
Data protection is important on this PC. It runs Win 7 64-bit ultimate with Bitlocker enabled. Of course I'll disable Bitlocker before doing the SSD conversion.
Is Win 7 Bitlocker compatible with SSDs? Or are there specific Intel model lines with built-in encryption that I should prefer given the security aspect?
Pete
Yes Bitlocker will work fine. As for which is better (1 or 2 drives), I don't think it really matters. It's true that with 2 spanned drives, that if 1 fails you lose all the data on both ... but on the other hand, if you had a single drive and it failed the same thing would be true.
ASKER
Thanks very much all three of you. You've helped me think it through and given me some practical advice and great insights. I'll plan on two 240GB drives, probably the 530 series, for the moment since that is a price/capacity sweet spot right now and it more than handles current needs. I'll leave one of the WD Velociraptors in the workstation for data needs and plan to replace that with another SSD down the road if data needs grow. By then higher-capacity SSD drives will probably be more cost effective.
Per responses to the earlier question I'll get the Paragon software to help move the Windows system to a new SSD drive.
Pete
Per responses to the earlier question I'll get the Paragon software to help move the Windows system to a new SSD drive.
Pete