Upgrading the mSSD in my MSI GT70

[lrbrown09]

Hello all! I've been using Tom's hardware forever, but this is the first time I've ever posted and I'm excited to see the responses I need!

So I just bought the MSI GT70 ONE-452 US (http/www.msimobile.com/level3_productpage.aspx?id=380). The basic specs are:

Laptop: MSI GT70 ONE-452-US - i7 3630 QM - 16GB RM (4x 4) - 128 GB mSSD - 1TB 5400 - 4GB GTX 680M - Win 8 Pro.

I just ordered an additional Adata mSSD 256 GB drive to add to the 128. I want to raid these two SSD's together in order to create a boot drive that has the 128+256. So my question is how do I go about this to get the best possible option? Should I extend the boot drive to the secondary drive in the Windows settings or should I use the bios to bind them together and then reformat the drive with fresh WIN 8.

If there is a better way please let me know, I am just very anxious to use this computer to replace my desktop (tired of lugging that bitch around lol). I receive the new SSD on 3/8/2013 (This friday) and I would really appreciate it if I could get the clearest answer by then!

Thank you all so much!

 

[Pyree]

Change to RAID on BIOS and do a fresh installation.

And why the mismatch SSD? Should get 2 of the same!!!

 

[lrbrown09]

Is there any specific benefits to getting two of the same? I really want more than 256 gb but 500$ for two ssds is pushing it wayyy past what is worth it seeing how I just dropped nearly2500 on this pc already lol.

 

[Pyree]

If you RAID 0 128GB and 256 GB, you only get 256GB. You are wasting the other 128GB on the 256GB SSD. Also, matching the SSD is a good idea because if you RAID SSD of different controller you are likely to have some issues.

 

[lrbrown09]

Is there a problem with not installing the same brand and/or model of the ssd?? The specific model is adata mssd axm14.. which I cannot find ANYWHRRE online so I'm assuming its a manufacturers only card (not even a page on adatas website)

 

[Pyree]

Your access time/4k is going to be similar RAID or not. Only real different is seq read/write. You probably won't notice it until you do a benchmark or you move a lot of large files. You also lose TRIM, so SSD RAID is not recommended even for matched SSD. On top of that, you ordered a 256GB SSD so the remaining 128GB on the 256GB SSD that is not setup on the RAID 0 will be wasted. Because the different SSD is likely to have different controller, you combined the flaws, slowest of 4K and slowest of seq read/write as common denominator, when you put them in RAID.

 

[lrbrown09]

Last question. Say I just leave the 256 in and take out the 128 and in about a month I buy another 256. Would that be advisable?

 

[Pyree]

You will get the most performance out of your hardware, but not the best in terms of performance to the amount of money spend.