SSD Caching - Some Q's

[AroundWayOtherThe]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of buying a new 2TB HDD for my system, as my current 500GB and 1TB are getting really old and slow. I also want to set up SSD caching with this new drive. Probably going to get a Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 2TB drive, as they're on special now at my local retailer. I currently have a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H motherboard running a 3570k.

So here are my Q's:

1. How big an SSD should I get to cache this HDD?
2. I have 30GB left on my current OS SSD. Can/should I use this space to cache? (120Gb Intel 330 btw)
   
3. When I use an SSD to cache, can you set it up to cache a single drive? Or does it automatically cache every drive in the system?
   
4. Plextor PX vs Samsung 840. Which is better?
   
5. Will I have to reinstall everything on my OS SSD if I do this? I've read that (with the Z77-D3H), using the mSATA port on the mobo will wipe the OS drive, although that's what they were caching... so will it wipe my OS SSD if I set up caching?
   

Thanks in advance.

[X1XNobleX1X]

These are the same questions I'm wondering about. Wish someone would answer.

[Ps_domingo]

I was just about to ask the same thing. 

[XiaoPigs]

1. Get a 64GB or slightly smaller SSD for caching.

2. No you'll have to use a separate SSD :)

3. You'll have to set it up to cache the drive you want using Intel SRT. It'll be quite simple really and if you need help you can always come back here.

4. The 840 is better if you're asking which one to buy as your caching SSD.

5. Unless you're caching the OS drive you won't have to reinstall the OS so don't worry about that. Besides you can't use your current SSD to cache any of your hard drives now

[AroundWayOtherThe]

1. Get a 64GB or slightly smaller SSD for caching.

2. No you'll have to use a separate SSD :)

3. You'll have to set it up to cache the drive you want using Intel SRT. It'll be quite simple really and if you need help you can always come back here.

4. The 840 is better if you're asking which one to buy as your caching SSD.

5. Unless you're caching the OS drive you won't have to reinstall the OS so don't worry about that. Besides you can't use your current SSD to cache any of your hard drives now

 

Brilliant. Thanks a tonne

[X1XNobleX1X]

1. Get a 64GB or slightly smaller SSD for caching.

2. No you'll have to use a separate SSD :)

3. You'll have to set it up to cache the drive you want using Intel SRT. It'll be quite simple really and if you need help you can always come back here.

4. The 840 is better if you're asking which one to buy as your caching SSD.

5. Unless you're caching the OS drive you won't have to reinstall the OS so don't worry about that. Besides you can't use your current SSD to cache any of your hard drives now

 

Would a 32GB SSD work as well? Or would a 64 GB be a better option?

[XiaoPigs]

Would a 32GB SSD work as well? Or would a 64 GB be a better option?

It'll still work :)

[IdeaStormer]

I have used 20 and 24 GB SSD's for caching but SLC (single-level cell) type NAND, not the MLC as SLC will last you longer and that is lasting longer due to it being a cache drive and it will get a lot more writes than a if you just used it as a regular drive. Most of the SSD's are MLC (multi-level cell NAND) and are fine but again if you're using it for caching its a different story. 20 and 24 Gig SLC SSD's because they're more expensive and if you went to 32 or 64 the price is rather high.