Boot/system disks if no disc drive...? + SSDD & mSATA SSD query

[andmor345]

Probably a very dumb question but....

I'm looking at a vortex 4 with an SSD and an HDD so there's now no room for an optical drive. What happens about the system discs if i need to install something or it all goes wrong?

Also, I can solve this by getting an mSATA SSD instead - will I see any performance difference compared to the normal SSD? And can my OS be installed on the mSATA SSD even though it won't be the number 1 drive?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[keynes]

The OS should be installed in the mSATA, no difference in performance just a smaller drive. You could also just get an external CD drive or use a USB to reinstall drivers.

 

[andmor345]

Thanks for quick response (second you've done that!).

The Samsung 840 EVO SSD gets rave reviews but has the slowest 120gb write time (410 compared the other brands 500+). Will I notice that difference? The other brands all relatively similarly priced so which is best?

Laptop will be used purely for gaming/social/simple work use

 

[SpyderTracks]

You can create a system disk on a bootable usb drive also. There's windows 7 usb download tool which will do that, works on windows 8 too.

 

[andmor345]

Cheers - I knew it was a dumb question!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks for quick response (second you've done that!).

The Samsung 840 EVO SSD gets rave reviews but has the slowest 120gb write time (410 compared the other brands 500+). Will I notice that difference? The other brands all relatively similarly priced so which is best?

Laptop will be used purely for gaming/social/simple work use

Don't think it would be noticeable in real world use... the one that's worth extra consideration is the intel drives as they have 5 year warranty.

 

[keynes]

Thanks for quick response (second you've done that!).

The Samsung 840 EVO SSD gets rave reviews but has the slowest 120gb write time (410 compared the other brands 500+). Will I notice that difference? The other brands all relatively similarly priced so which is best?

Laptop will be used purely for gaming/social/simple work use

I doubt you notice the difference unless you are benchmarking. But if they are similarly priced just choose the fastest one

 

[daveeb]

I think there are 3 bays so you should be able to have SSD, HDD and optical drive if you want. Have you tried it on the configurator ?

 

[andmor345]

Yeah daveeb - was confused about the difference between mSATA and SATA SSD (doesn't appear to be one). Cheers for the replies guys. I get the feeling that the forums and advice sites aren't really in the real world and that in reality the times are all pretty close together and whether it's, for example, a Sandforce controller, actually has little relevance to some one who'll be using the comp how I will