How to build fastest X31 (with limited expenses)

[Wind]

2 weeks ago I bought my first X31. I have fallen in love with it within first couple of hours, but chinese fake power adapted blew it
So I bought another 2 of them and will probably buy next one soon. I want to build FAST X31 (two of them) not spending hundreds of $...how to do that ?
(I know I could buy 64GB or 128GB PATA SSD but that is financially pointless - I could have X60 cheaper, so big SSD is not the way I am interested to go).
But I am seriously considering 32GB PATA SSD for Windows and all software and...I need some memory for files, documents...how to do that ? What is the best compromise of performance and cost ? I think 32GB CF memory card (if I can get it reasonably cheap - I am not going to spend $100-$200 for it...). This CF memory card would sit permanently in X31 CF slot - is that fast enough for music/photos files ? And most important question for me, if somebody can help: is that possible to fit CF Micro Drive (1.8" ?) hdd into IBM X31 ? I know nothing about this size/type drives...20GB-120GB are available on Ebay but is that the way to go ? Will CF Micro drive fit into CF slot ? Or maybe I need CF Micro Drive to PCMCIA adapter and use my PCMCIA slot ? Will that work and work fast ? What is the best way to build FAST X31 ??? Sure I will give it 2GB RAM !
Please advise, thx

Admin note: Moved from X200/X30x forum

[Neil]

Many consider this to be the fastest IDE hard drive. I don't really know if the IDE SSDs are noticeably faster or just more costly. I've tried the CCF card method, and while it works fine, it's not faster than the Samsung HDD. But, SSD and CCF are much more shock resistant than a spinning hard drive. But since you are asking for speed at limited expense, I would say go with the HM160HC.

[Wind]

Yes, I know this Samsung HDD, apparently its very fast. But I also have T60 hybrid (Kingston 32GB SSD+Toshiba 5400rpm HDD) and this machine works beautifully (starts very fast and is so quiet !) - that is why I am especially interested to build X31 in a similar way - SSD rather than HDD. But I need some drive (memory) for files...
Perhaps I will but Samsung HDD for Ultrabay too.

[Wind]

Or, maybe is it any good idea to fit 1.8" SSD PATA into PCMCIA (is that possible /) and it would hold Win and all software+Samsung 160 GB HDD in normal HDD place for files ?
Will that work and work fast ?

[mazzinia]

The normal CF slot present on X31 systems is slower than a turtle, this by design, so it's not a solution unless you would accept speeds lower than 4mbs for it.

This said, it accepts a microdrive without issues (the ones in CF form factor). The normal card slot, instead, has reasonable speed and accepts a microdrive (when plugged in its usual adapter).

In both cases, the X31 doesn't accept booting from either (remember reading older machines allowed it, instead), as a side piece of info...

IF you decide to take a microdrive, stay away from the ones with written "for embedded applications" (or a similar phrase), since they use a modified firmware that in a lot of cases do not allow to utilize them as CF. In some cases they would work as ATA disks.

[jronald]

Dont run Windoze!

I have both X30's and X31's. My fastest X31 with all the go fast goodies is only as fast as my slowest x30 running uBuntu.

I took about 2 weeks to get it set up, working in the evenings for a few hours at a time. The changes were to make it look more like winblows than anything else. t boots faster, it runs quicker, and frankly I wish i would have found it sooner.

Anyway, make yourself try it for 2 weeks and see for yourself.

Ron

[Wind]

Ubuntu...yeah I think I will try it on one of two (or three) X31 that I am just 'building".
Re CF slot: what is "turtle like" slow ? - the slot in X31 or CF cards ? In other words, will it work fast if I put CF Microdrive into this slot or it will be turtle like anyway because this slot is so slow by itself, no mater what we put in it ? This is important for me...?
I am not gong to use CF slot nor PCMCIA for booting. Booting will be by main 2.5" drive.
I think I will buy KingSpec 32 GB Pata but I need some more memory for files...and it should be reasonable fast (photos, lossless music, internet and office documents).
Maybe just big USB stick ? Or USB3 stick+USB3-PCMCIA card ?

[fasteez]

Consider Linux Mint 9, based on Ubuntu 10, but with IMHO a nicer desktop setup and all multimedia (even non open source) installed by default.

If you're willing to go further; try archlinux (bigger learning curve)

[automobus]

Re CF slot: what is "turtle like" slow ? - the slot in X31 or CF cards ? In other words, will it work fast if I put CF Microdrive into this slot or it will be turtle like anyway because this slot is so slow by itself, no mater what we put in it ?

The built-in CompactFlash slot is very slow. A year ago, I think I remember testing it and finding it comparable to USB 1.1. No matter what card you use, you will not reach high speeds with the built-in slot.