Replace HDD with SSD?

[fredrab]

My new E430 will be delivered within a few days. It is configured with a 500gb (7200 rpm) HDD, and 16gb msata cache SSD. It will have 16gb ram, after I install it.
I'm having second thoughts about the cache drive, as I might want to replace the HDD with a 256 or 512 SSD.
If I do, will the existing cache drive interfere? Should it be disabled?
Will the performance of the SSD be dramatically better than the configuration ordered? If not, I would rather save the extra expense.
I would appreciate all advice, tips, etc.
Any SSD model recommendations?
Thanks.

[emtee3511]

I would be interested in comments on your HDD/msata cache SSD/SSD question also. It seems to me that trading your HDD for an SSD should not affect the msata cache SSD -- but I'm only guessing because I've not tried that setup on any of my machines. I'm using only SSD's in my machines now that prices have come down -- they 'seem' much faster than HDD's on any of my machines. I've read on the Forum lots of 'geek-speak' about bench-marks, etc., and I barely understand it, but bottom line seems to be agreement that an SSD will speed up your machine.

Since your question is not specific to ThinkPad Edge, you may want to ask in the "General ThinkPad News/Comments & Questions" Forum regarding your particular setup. More traffic on the general board may mean more input

[fredrab]

Thanks. good advice.

[Math_Geek]

Hello,

I am new to the forum but I have some info that may help you. I purchased an E420 this past August with the 500 GB 7200 RPM HDD. I have upgraded it to 16 GB RAM and installed the Crucial M4 256 GB mSATA drive. The original 500 GB HDD is now used as a data storage device. The Edge line of computers have the mSATA slot SATA III enabled!

Installation was very simple. In your case the first thing that you will want to do is to make the Lenovo recovery discs. The recovery discs will be used to set up your new SSD. After everything is stable you can then delete the recovery (Q) partition to gain ~ 16 GB of disc space. I think that you will be shocked at the performance improvement that the SSD makes in your system and the 16 GB of RAM won't hurt either! You should see boot times of 20 seconds or less.

Good luck with your new machine!

[thdblh]

I purchased my e430 two weeks ago. I have since upgraded to 16gb Mushkin RAM and 240 gb Intel Series 3 SSD. I removed the HDD caching software one at a time. I have found SSD performs better without software cache/assistance.

I will be upgrading the Realteck (broadcom) wifi to a 2x2 Intel 2531 Wifi/BT card as soon as it arrives.

[fredrab]

How do you remove the caching software?
Do you disable the 16gb micro SSD, and if so, how?
Thanks.