Hi guys, I'd like some authoratitive advice on what I propose to do in the first stage of my PC rebuild. I currently run Win7 64 on a 500Gb standard 7200rpm HD and with FSX on a standard 1Tb 7200rpm HD. I intend to put the OS on a new 64Gb SSD and FSX on a 650Gb (?) 10000rpm Western Digital Velociraptor. I would be interested in some really good advice and in particular to my questions: 1) Can I simply copy everything from the OS HD to the SSD, if so what is the best method?2) Presumably I can also do the same with FSX copying to the Velociraptor?3) I know zero about SSDs and so what kind of SSD do I need to replace the existing Sata drive?4) Does the SSD connect in the same way as the existing HD? 5) What in particular do I need to be aware of? Thanks fellas, sorry if the questions are a little basic, but playing around with the entire OS and FSX I don't want to mess things up! Cheers...

Hi,1) The only way is to use imaging software but personally, if I opted to replace my drive I prefer a clean install. You also want to enable AHCI mode in the bios before installing.2) Not if you are not copying the OS.3) Any SSD connects just like a regular drive unless it is Pcie you will get as many opinions as China has rice, here is mine http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148447 This is a higher end drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168202276594) See 3 above5) nothing really, set AHCI and W7 will recognise the SSD and automatically disablable defrag and a couple of other things. Just remember not to defrag the SSD basically use it like any other drive.

Hi,1) The only way is to use imaging software but personally, if I opted to replace my drive I prefer a clean install. You also want to enable AHCI mode in the bios before installing.2) Not if you are not copying the OS.3) Any SSD connects just like a regular drive unless it is Pcie you will get as many opinions as China has rice, here is mine http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148448 or http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148447 This is a higher end drive http://www.newegg.co...N82E168202276594) See 3 above5) nothing really, set AHCI and W7 will recognise the SSD and automatically disablable defrag and a couple of other things. Just remember not to defrag the SSD basically use it like any other drive.

Cheers Gary, that's cleared a few things up for me thanks. I think you are right about a new install, I will have to put most of November to one side to do that I think!

There's a couple of things worth a look when moving stuff to an SSD, especially if it's a small one, like disabling hybernation and drive indexing, and moving the page file to a bigger drive to save space, but with a 64GB SSD just for the OS you'll have plenty space anyway.You will also want to disable auto-defrag and make sure TRIM is enabled for performance I think it's a waste to have an SSD just for the OS. You'll just get a couple of seconds faster Windows boot times, but that's just me. The most important thing about SSD's is the partition alignment, TRIM enabled and to have the SATA controller set to AHCI. If you reinstall Win 7 on the SSD and previously set your controller to AHCI like Gary suggested, you'll be fine (Win 7 will do all that for you upon installation).If you want to clone your Win 7 install to the SSD you'll need to make sure the alignment is kept and then use the registry mod to enable AHCI. Check if TRIM is enabled and disable the scheduled defrags

There's a couple of things worth a look when moving stuff to an SSD, especially if it's a small one, like disabling hybernation and drive indexing, and moving the page file to a bigger drive to save space, but with a 64GB SSD just for the OS you'll have plenty space anyway.You will also want to disable auto-defrag and make sure TRIM is enabled for performance I think it's a waste to have an SSD just for the OS. You'll just get a couple of seconds faster Windows boot times, but that's just me. The most important thing about SSD's is the partition alignment, TRIM enabled and to have the SATA controller set to AHCI. If you reinstall Win 7 on the SSD and previously set your controller to AHCI like Gary suggested, you'll be fine (Win 7 will do all that for you upon installation).If you want to clone your Win 7 install to the SSD you'll need to make sure the alignment is kept and then use the registry mod to enable AHCI. Check if TRIM is enabled and disable the scheduled defrags

Many thanks Dazz, all good stuff...

I'm not sure what the purpose is, but the OCZ forum suggests running the Windows Experience Index (WEI) after the install. My guess is maybe windows does some tuning based on the WEI results. scott s..