Transfering a brand new HDD to a SSD

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kevinu

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Default Transfering a brand new HDD to a SSD
Hello, I am new to this forum and a returning computer geek. I haven't done anything with them since 1GB of Ram was a huge deal. I just ordered a customer computer to play diablo 3 and be a project computer. I went through CyberPower since I was so lost and building from the ground up was mind blowing how much stuff had changed. I ended up going with a

NZXT Tempest 210 Mid-Tower Gaming Case
Intel® Core™ i7-3770K 3.50 GHz 8MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1155
Biostar TZ77B Intel Z77 Chipset
8GB (4GBx2) DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Standard Power Supply 700W
1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD
24X DVD/CD Drive
ASUS Xonar DG
Intel Pro Gigabite 10/100/1000 Network Card


This build came with a few games but importantly Diablo 3. I was very happy with my build until I heard about SSD. I looked around and found that you could get a
OCZ Solid 3 SLD3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC
for 100 bucks. I was interested in the thought of the SSD and weighed the price while I was building this computer online. At the time it seemed unimportant and unnecessary. Looking at it now it seems that using the 1 TB HDD is actually not a good idea. So now that some back story is filled in. The computer is coming in the mail this week. The 1TB HDD will have Windows 7 preloaded and nothing else. I was wondering if it is possible to transfer the information on that HDD to a SSD before I start messing with it and installing my games and programs. I would like to have the SSD as my primary HD running my OS and main game (Diablo 3) while using the 1TB as a storage Drive.

Also the SSDs are 2.5 inches and my case only has
3 Tool-less EXTERNAL 5.25" DRIVE BAYS
8 Tool-less INTERNAL 3.5" HDD Drives
for drive bays. How will I get the SSD to fit in my case without worrying about it floating around.

Thank You in advance,

Kevin
 
Ok so I will lose some features, but with todays TB HDD are they decent enough to run my OS for a while. I have read lots of horror stories about peoples HDDs crashing because they are so big. I will continue researching, thank you for a starting point.

Kevin
 
kevinu said:
Ok so I will lose some features
Click to expand...
Loose some features? NO. No need to loose anything. What was said was, if you clone you will have to manually implement the things that Windows natively and automatically does when it sees/is installed to, an ssd. And you don't want to be w/o those [adjustments].

Do you get a Windows 7 dvd with a CyberPower pc? Seems like you should. You should at least have your product key that you could use to install to the ssd. A fresh/clean install is what you want to do. The guides options and managements are a little on the extreme side for larger drives that won't get a lot of programs installed in the long term, and you can just do some or all of them if you want to.
For simplicity you could just unplug the hdd when you install and "System Reserve" will default to the ssd. Then redirect Windows storage folders to hdd when you get to desktop.
Install the drive, SetUP your bios, and install 7. For your build and w/ 8gb memory I would suggest managing pagefile to a smaller size, 1-2 gb min/max along w/ 2,(3),5,6,10,14,15,17. <There may be somthing in there< that Windows has already done. Also make sure that Windows has disabled defragment and defrag scheduler for the ssd and well as hybernate, and chech to see that TRIM is enabled.
Mounting adapters are cheap. You can also use something like velcro and put it somewhere away from heat source.
 
wow that is a lot to take in. I am now reading the Setup and Manage thread, as well as the how to clone a hard drive threads. So it seems what I will have to do is partition the SSD drive to just enough space for the OS allow the other partition to be used for my select programs and applications. I should also use the follow along and make sure that some basic windows features are not only disable but altereted specifically for an SSD drive. now if i change the settings for the OS will it treat my HDD (used merely for storage) any different? Also How does this clone work if my 1TB hard drive that comes installed with Windows 7 is in use while im trying to clone it doesnt that mess with the file settings? SO much to take in. I will go through the tutorials mentioned read them and see if i can make heads or tails of it. My biggest concern is messing something up and having to re-purchase the software assuming no install file comes with my computer.

Kevin
 
I don't know why you want to clone when I know you can, without having to buy Windows again, just install to the SSD since it's the best, safest, and easiest, and you won't have to think about what a clone will/won't do.
Nothings going to hurt the hdd. If something has the option for ssd and hdd separately, then you can choose to not implement it on the hdd if you don't want to.
 
im not sure i will get an install disk with my computer. the HDD is coming preloaded which is why i was trying to figure out how to clone the drive...if a disk comes with the computer then the solution is a little less complicated.

ok...hypothetical question. if i buy the 60GB SSD should i still partition it for the OS seperate from the normal applications or is 60 small enough to allow 1 partition to work.
 
kevinu said:
im not sure i will get an install disk with my computer. the HDD is coming preloaded which is why i was trying to figure out how to clone the drive...if a disk comes with the computer then the solution is a little less complicated.

ok...hypothetical question. if i buy the 60GB SSD should i still partition it for the OS seperate from the normal applications or is 60 small enough to allow 1 partition to work.
Click to expand...
If you don't get an install disc, you may be able to use other media w/ your key. Ask Cyberpower about it. Maybe it's not too late for them to add the ssd.

60gb is too small to partition and no need on the larger one. Just let the whole thing be c:\. If you get 60gb you can partition the hdd and put infrequently used programs on it.
 
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