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Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD -- New to the SSD area.

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Hey guys and gals!

Long time no see! :O

I'm in the process of getting myself an SSD to replace my current primary HDD. I've done some reading and such, came to the conclusion that I'd like to get myself a Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD.

My reason behind it is that it's in my budget range and looking at the performances of the drives, it seems to be one of the top end of it's range. I know it's not the Pro, but again my reasoning for it is the budget and it's performance seems more than what it's worth?

The only thing for me is though, I've not actually dealt with any SSD's to date, for installing an OS to. It doesn't seem that complicated but I know there is some after install tweaks you can do yourself to improve on the SSD's performance, right?

I've found a link here on TPU which I'm going to go through, I've skim read some of it, but really could do with reading the lot, which I'll do in a little while! Here is the link that I'm on about.

Ideally I'll be installing my OS (Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium), Steam (for Dota 2, though I'll have a secondary library for other games on my data HDD), World of WarCraft and some programs (XSplit specifically and general programs). Everything else will be directed to the data HDD that I currently have to limit what I will have on the SSD.

So, I was wondering if any one has had the pleasure of using this specific SSD and could point me to a good source to read on for tweaking it once I have the drive and start getting it all up and running? Are there anything in particular I need to be aware of with me being inexperienced with SSD's?

What programs would you recommend yourselves to use to test the SSD's performance and why? Any suggestions on usages of the SSD in particular?

I'm open to anything and everything you can throw at me really so I can prepare the best I can before diving in! :)

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope all are well! :)

--Lee
 
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Hey guys and gals!

Long time no see! :O

I'm in the process of getting myself an SSD to replace my current primary HDD. I've done some reading and such, came to the conclusion that I'd like to get myself a Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD.

My reason behind it is that it's in my budget range and looking at the performances of the drives, it seems to be one of the top end of it's range. I know it's not the Pro, but again my reasoning for it is the budget and it's performance seems more than what it's worth?

The only thing for me is though, I've not actually dealt with any SSD's to date, for installing an OS to. It doesn't seem that complicated but I know there is some after install tweaks you can do yourself to improve on the SSD's performance, right?

I've found a link here on TPU which I'm going to go through, I've skim read some of it, but really could do with reading the lot, which I'll do in a little while! Here is the link that I'm on about.

Ideally I'll be installing my OS (Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium), Steam (for Dota 2, though I'll have a secondary library for other games on my data HDD), World of WarCraft and some programs (XSplit specifically and general programs). Everything else will be directed to the data HDD that I currently have to limit what I will have on the SSD.

So, I was wondering if any one has had the pleasure of using this specific SSD and could point me to a good source to read on for tweaking it once I have the drive and start getting it all up and running? Are there anything in particular I need to be aware of with me being inexperienced with SSD's?

What programs would you recommend yourselves to use to test the SSD's performance and why? Any suggestions on usages of the SSD in particular?

I'm open to anything and everything you can throw at me really so I can prepare the best I can before diving in! :)

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope all are well! :)

--Lee

crystal disk mark...and crystal disk info are a couple programs...
ssd tweak guide
http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/3116/tweaktown_s_solid_state_drive_optimization_guide/index.html
 
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This SSD should come with SSD magician which tweaks the OS for optimal performance with a few clicks.

The software is great.
I can not comment on the specific SSD but I do use the 830 which is still great.

If anything I think I should have gone for a larger capacity SSD.
 

the54thvoid

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I've just installed the 250GB Evo. I used the data migration software and after a few wee visits to the bios (nothing ever goes super smooth for me :laugh: ) I now have a perfectly awesome larger SSD in place.

It does come with Samsumg magician software and it will play with your system to do what you ask it. Even to the point it disabled speedstep on my 3930k to keep it running at optimum speeds. Needless to say, quick visit to power config in windows to stop that shenanigans.

Loving the drive. :cool:
 
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Thanks all for the swift reply! Really appreciate it, I'll look in to the link you posted springs113 and I'll also look in to the Samsung software too! :)

@the54thvoid: How come it turned speedstep off for you mate? What reason would it need for it to disable it to run optimally?

--Lee
 

the54thvoid

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Thanks all for the swift reply! Really appreciate it, I'll look in to the link you posted springs113 and I'll also look in to the Samsung software too! :)

@the54thvoid: How come it turned speedstep off for you mate? What reason would it need for it to disable it to run optimally?

--Lee

Over rided speedstep in the windows power set up - kept me on max power for max performance.
 
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The Samsung Magician software is great, and the latest version includes "Rapid Mode", which accelerates performance through DRAM cache strategies (it only works with 840 Evo drives). The rest of it optimizes (trims) your drive, benchmarks it, updates firmware, checks drive authenticity, over-provisioning settings, and an OS optimization section which allows you to tweak the drive's configuration according to your needs.
 
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Over rided speedstep in the windows power set up - kept me on max power for max performance.

Ahh, sounds like they put a lot of work in to the Samsung Magician software! :)

The Samsung Magician software is great, and the latest version includes "Rapid Mode", which accelerates performance through DRAM cache strategies (it only works with 840 Evo drives). The rest of it optimizes (trims) your drive, benchmarks it, updates firmware, checks drive authenticity, over-provisioning settings, and an OS optimization section which allows you to tweak the drive's configuration according to your needs.

Thanks mate, when I was reading the reviews I read about the Rapid Mode but wasn't sure what it was entirely, how to enable it, etc. Though the numbers shown where amazing!

I know I won't have the full SATAIII read/write speeds until I upgrade, as I'm currently running the XFX 790i Ultra, though when I have saved up a little I'm going to try and get some information about what motherboard would go best with an i7 3770k for gaming/streaming, though I will also be overclocking that processor. So when the time comes for it I'll be after a board that can sustain a good overclock! Not just that though, I'll need it to pair well with the rest of the system haha!

Cheers for the information guys! :toast:

--Lee
 
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