Upgrading to SSD In g74sx Please help got some questions

[Arvizu360]

Hello there so I decided to change into a SSD for my G74sx. I see some really good prices on ebay for them. The one im looking at intel brand has 180GB SSD for $119.99 I also will be purchasing the Cable Connector for the 2nd Drive Caddy.

My questions are:

1.Will any SSD 2.5" SSD fit on the Asus G74sx?
2. Is there any particular way in which the SSD is placed, like is it placed on the main Drive slot or On the Second drive slot with the New Caddy and cable Conector. Or it doesnt matter?
3. Is the Upgrade really worth it? Ill be spending arounf $140 on both the Caddy and connector plus the SSD
4. also is 180 GB enought or too much? for a SSD.
5. How do I make the SSD work? do i Just plug it in an my second HHD and done? or is the some steps I should follow

Thanks guys for your time and please help a newby out .

[xeromist]

Yes, any standard 2.5" drive will be fine. I'd worry if there's anything in the product description indicating oversize but most are the same.

It should not matter what the placement of the drives are. You can set the boot order in the BIOS even if both are bootable.

I have an SSD in my G73 and I think it's worth it. My boot times are faster and my load times in games are faster. It won't increase your frame rates but all the little improvements add up to a better overall experience.

180 is fine. If you disable hibernation, swap, and clean up system files your Windows install will take less than 20GB. That leaves plenty of room for games. I install my games on the spinning drive and use SteamMover to move the ones I currently play onto the SSD. I can move them back later to free up space without uninstalling them.

If you just want to use the SSD for data then you can just plug it in and use the Windows disk management console to partition and format it. However it's nice to have the SSD as a boot drive. If you want to do that then you will either want to reinstall Windows onto it or use a utility to clone your HDD onto the SSD. If you tell us how you want to use it then we can point you in the right direction.

[Muratus]

1. Yes

2. It needs to be in slot 1 to install Windows on. Just move the original HD to the 2nd spot and use as storage.

3. Heck YA!!! A standard HD is the lowest part of any computer. A good SSD will make you blazing fast. I have a Samsung pm830, and I highly recommend them! Make sure you get a 3rd Gen SSD. On my G73, from the time I hit power it takes 10 to 15 seconds for Windows to load and ready to us.

4. 180 should be plenty for Windows and your programs, use the 2nd HD for all your user files and storage.

5. Just put the SSD in slot 1 and your original HD in slot 2. Then install Windows as normal. Make sure once you have installed Windows you turn off Disk Defrag.

[Arvizu360]

yes I want to use the SSD to boot OS there and the second one to Store stuff.
how do i turn off disk defrag and also how do i disable hibernation, swap, and clean up system files your Windows install to take less than 20GB?

Also If I were to install games like skyrims league of legends etc, do I have to install them on the SDD or on the second hard drive? for best performance

[xeromist]

Arvizu360 wrote:
yes I want to use the SSD to boot OS there and the second one to Store stuff.
how do i turn off disk defrag and also how do i disable hibernation, swap, and clean up system files your Windows install to take less than 20GB?

Rather than reinventing the wheel I'll direct you here:
http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-ultimate-windows-8...
A lot of that stuff isn't really needed. System restore generally isn't a storage hog so think about it before you disable it. Basically take any "ultimate SSD guide" with a grain of salt and consider whether any single change is necessary for your usage.

Also If I were to install games like skyrims league of legends etc, do I have to install them on the SDD or on the second hard drive? for best performance

Your best performance is going to be on the SSD. It is better across every metric except capacity when compared to your HDD. But if you're like some of us you can't even install your Steam collection on 180GB, let alone other retail and digital download games. That's why I recommended SteamMover. The name is a bit misleading as it can move any folder on your system, not just Steam games. I install everything on the spinner and then move a game onto the SSD for a few weeks while I'm playing it. I move it back when I play it less and I don't need optimal speed.

[Arvizu360]

xeromist wrote:
Rather than reinventing the wheel I'll direct you here:
http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-ultimate-windows-8...
A lot of that stuff isn't really needed. System restore generally isn't a storage hog so think about it before you disable it. Basically take any "ultimate SSD guide" with a grain of salt and consider whether any single change is necessary for your usage.


Your best performance is going to be on the SSD. It is better across every metric except capacity when compared to your HDD. But if you're like some of us you can't even install your Steam collection on 180GB, let alone other retail and digital download games. That's why I recommended SteamMover. The name is a bit misleading as it can move any folder on your system, not just Steam games. I install everything on the spinner and then move a game onto the SSD for a few weeks while I'm playing it. I move it back when I play it less and I don't need optimal speed.

oh okay I dont usually play games that big. Maybe 12GB big average. Ok so move them to the SDD when I play them then move them back to the 2nd Drive once Im bored of them sounds easy.

One more off topic questions, Is there any G75 Drivers that could improve the G74? Since the G74 Hasnt been updated much?
can I Upgrade my G74 with g75 Bios? also. How can I improve My FPS on as Example League of legends? I get like 60 Fps on my G74sx When my girl Friend gets the same FPS on her Asus U56E... And yeah i got the last 320 beta Drivers for my 560m GTX 3GB

[xeromist]

No, G75 is a different machine but it does sound like you're on the right track: Download the latest drivers direct from the chip makers to get the latest optimizations.

Note that if you have v-sync turned on you will always be limited to 60fps on a 60hz display. It only draws a frame upon refresh so the frame rate cannot be any higher than the refresh.