HDD vs SSD vs Cache Drive: Dumb It Down for Me Please!

[KtrainHurricane]

Sorry if this sounds like a very elementary question, but I am having trouble figuring out my options with these three types of drives.

Specifically, I am looking at buying a ThinkPad T430 that comes with a 500GB HDD, and am interested in adding a solid state cache drive (not replace the HDD with a SSD).

My question is: is this possible? I know it's an option through the Lenovo website to order one with a cache drive, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to just take the computer to a local shop and have them add a cache drive for me. Since it would not be replacing my storage HDD, would I still have to back everything up (such as the OS) and have it re-loaded into the computer? Or since it is just a cache drive, would it be a "plug-and-play" type deal like adding a new stick of RAM?

[Orclas]

I think you would be better of asking this question in the T4xx subforum, as it's not quite material for frequently asked questions.

Or perhaps some friendly moderator will stop by and move the thread?

[Fent]

It's not going to be a plug and play deal but you wouldn't need to reload your os. Google "express cash" and that should get you some useful information.

I clean installed win 8 and then had to re-setup my cash drive. After I figured it out it wasn't too bad. You can also set up a hibernation partition on your ssd too for quick startups with lenovo's rapid boot.

Make sure you have the most up to date bios and data driver (on my T430u its labeled rapid storage), and then you start setting up the drive. If you only want a cash drive leave it unpartitioned, if you want a hibernation partition on there you need to make a partition at least the size equal to the amount of ram you have. You need to use gparted to do this and add a special partition label so your os knows its a hibernation partition. I don't know the label but my buddy Google does.

Once that is done, install express cash and/or rapid boot I think there are two programs: one called rapid boot shield and another but only for windows 7. For windows 8 I think you only need to set the hibernation partition.)

[Fent]

I'm I have a 250gb ssd That I'm thinking about swapped out with my 500gb mechanical drive it came with, which would make my cash drive useless. I'm not sure yet though.

The cash drive makes it feel like it already has a ssd installed. Having an ssd would be a bit faster and use less battery. The added battery life would be the main reason for switching for me. The main reason for the cash drive would be to have more storage available (up to 1tb), however I have another computer that I use for file storage.

Well, I hope I helped a little.