Alienware m14x CORSAIR SATA 3 SSD vs HARD DRIVE load time comparisons Windows 7 Battlefield 3 SWTOR

Installed a Corsair Force 3 250gb Sata 3 SSD into port one.

Replaced the stock DVD drive with a universal Sata hard drive caddy and installed the origional 750gb 7200 HD as a second drive.

I appreciate the phone stop clock is less than scientific but it gives an idea of load time improvements.

Both Windows boots are from a completely fresh install with all update patches applied (upto 20/1/2012) and just Battlefield 3 with Origin and Star Wars The Old Republic installed.

To maintain completely stable SATA 3 speeds (485mb/s - 500mb/s) with absolutely no BSOD or freezes reflashed the BIOS back to A05 (A06 and above restrict Sata port 0 to Sata 2 speeds!) and upgraded the drive firmware to 1.3.3. I also found uninstalling the Intel RSD drivers made a big difference (the Windows 7 boot time has now gone from 19 seconds to 15!).

Any questions please ask :-)

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Hard Disk Drive
• Solid-state Drive
• Windows 7
• Computer
• Laptop
• battlefield
• sata
• caddy
• aliemware
• m14x
• corsair
• force
• Gameplay

[WVWWVVW]

What htc phone is that?

[MrShatnerzbassoon]

@WVWWVVW HTC Desire HD

[blackhawk438]

So this is a fresh Windows install? Do you mean your purchased a separate version of Windows? Or did you re install using the installation disk shipped with the system.

What I'm going to do is install this SSD running BIOS AO3, and a fresh install of Windows using the Alienware disk I got with the purchase.

How does that sound?

[MrShatnerzbassoon]

@blackhawk438 Yes, fresh install of the Dell recovery DVD. A03 enables SATA3 but I could'nt live with the fan noise :-) Should be fine, just remember to enable AHCI in the BIOS too. Good luck :D

[frbjeffj]

Did you have to perform any BIOS adjustments when you installed the SSD?

[MrShatnerzbassoon]

@frbjeffj Yes, just enable AHCI other than that its all default.

[Vingador]

Nice comparison, could you please include the name of the song at the description? Seens Cave's story, but i have only the 2d version and it doesnt have this one, so i think its the 3d version?

[killerduckification]

Hi , @MrShatnerzbassoon

Can you give the install order .Is it this order ?

1)First confirm Bios A05 , and Ahci enabled in BIOS

2) Fresh install of windows .

3) Install Wifi drivers only

4)Do Windows Update And Restart

5) Install IRST

6) Install other Drivers , starting with Chipset , Sata ...

Is this right ? Or do you not have to install RST

[tc1uscg]

Was looking at buying a new system and it came with a SD drive. Was gonna build my own but due to my old tower is dying fast, I don't have the time to do the leg work of seeing what works. Trying to keep it under 1k. Having a SSD drive seems to have a small advantage but cost/storage area vs 20-30seconds longer boot time for something that has 900gb more storage seems like a no brainer. I'll stick with a 7200rpm drive or the new 10k drive. If it comes with a SSD, the better. Thanks again.

[blackhawk438]

@MrShatnerzbassoon Thank you sir! I certainly hope so. No problems still right?