Would you be talking about this one here: Canada Computers & Electronics | Hard Drives | WD Black 750GB 2.5" SATA3 7200RPM 16MB Cache OEM Hard Disk (WD7500BPKX) for $75?
Seagate SSHD vs Performance 7200RPM HDD
- Thread starter anonalchemist
- Start date
Would you be talking about this one here: Canada Computers & Electronics | Hard Drives | WD Black 750GB 2.5" SATA3 7200RPM 16MB Cache OEM Hard Disk (WD7500BPKX) for $75?
It is rare for me, but yes the WD Black2 SSHD would be a more optimal solution for the OP. It still is only 120GB SSD + 1TB 5400rpm drive, but it would be faster than 8GB SSHD. Of course tracking one down might be a touch hard as not everyone carries them
Honestly, my first inclination is to not get that particular rig....but that is just me. IF it has to be that rig and that less than optimal case the Black2 would be a decent choice. Best choice is a 1TB or even 500GB SSD. For example a MX200 500GB ssd - which would eat the Black2's lunch - would only set you back $150 more than the SSHD. But then you are limited to 500GB of space.
Basically think about how much storage space you need, how big your budget is, IF that system HAS to be 'the' system you buy...and then go for what would be best for your needs and budget.
If I could, I definitely would go for the Black2.
I got an Alienware Alpha Base (i3 4130T, Nvidia 860M) for <$400 CAD which I consider that a steal (it was an impulse purchase to replace a 5+ year old gaming desktop that still works okay for older games) and I want to keep this as a budget gaming desktop (hopefully less than $550 after I upgrade the RAM too)
Basically looking for ~$100 hard drive 750GB+ since I'm a hoarder, allocating $40 ish for a 4GB stick of RAM.
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This has been probably one of the most frustrating things now. I found reports that a 9.5mm drive WILL NOT fit.
Other reports that it fits.
I just spoke with a Dell Technical Support Agent (as opposed to Customer Support agents previously) and they don't have a clue. All they can tell me is a standard, 2.5" SATA HDD. No info on the thickness or height.
Heck, even on the official Alienware YT channel they don't have a clue and want consumers to report in: http://puu.sh/hvTbD/9d310133f5.png
That is some ridiculous support...
Yes that is the one.
OK, in the service manual, at the remove HDD section, the HDD in the picture is a Samsung spin point m8 model st1000lm24 which is a 9.5mm height drive, so it is safe to assume any 9.5 mm drive would work!
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Thanks for checking that out for me!
Think I'm going to wait till tomorrow (for the new sales week to roll out) before deciding.
Going to go in this order
1) SSD - 350GB+ ~$150 (OR WD Black2)
2) WD Black
3) SSHD
Changed my mind today about SSD when I turned my desktop on that does have a WD Black in it and was watching people install and use SSDs on their alphas....blows my desktop out of the park.
Figured that I WILL settle for lower capacity; I just need to learn how not to hoard as much.
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You can still hoard, just get an external drive for all that crap 
Definitely go with the SSD, as AKG mentioned the Crucial MX200 or even the BX line as they are cheap. Currently the BX100 500gb SSD is $220 at Canada Computers right now. Canada Computers & Electronics | Solid State Drives | Crucial BX100 2.5" 500GB SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive, Read: 535 MB/s; Write: 450 MB/s (CT500BX100SSD1)
I know it's slightly over budget but hopefully you can swing the extra $70.
Definitely go with the SSD, as AKG mentioned the Crucial MX200 or even the BX line as they are cheap. Currently the BX100 500gb SSD is $220 at Canada Computers right now. Canada Computers & Electronics | Solid State Drives | Crucial BX100 2.5" 500GB SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive, Read: 535 MB/s; Write: 450 MB/s (CT500BX100SSD1)
I know it's slightly over budget but hopefully you can swing the extra $70.
Thanks everyone.
I think everything in addition to what happened this morning pushed me over the edge and I decided that I want a piece of that SSD action.
I just purchased the MX200 250GB from Best Buy Online (Pending price match with NCIX + 10% off the difference, bringing it to $123 + tax).
ETA next Wednesday. I just gotta learn how to not hoard too much right now (while I find a USB 3.0 enclosure for that 500GB 5400RPM HDD the Alpha shipped with)
I think everything in addition to what happened this morning pushed me over the edge and I decided that I want a piece of that SSD action.
I just purchased the MX200 250GB from Best Buy Online (Pending price match with NCIX + 10% off the difference, bringing it to $123 + tax).
ETA next Wednesday. I just gotta learn how to not hoard too much right now (while I find a USB 3.0 enclosure for that 500GB 5400RPM HDD the Alpha shipped with)
SSHD Vs HD
I personally wouldn't recommend wouldn't anything from seagate , all my seagate HDs that i have had in the last 3 years have either died or have corrupted sectors. I currently have one of the SSHD in question I purchased it for school and I have already RMA 2 times in 2 years. I planning on RMA one last time and then selling it. The drive has been unreliable at best. I would stay away from seagate period and this isn't any fanboyism. Go on newegg and check the user reviews for seagate Hd , its not great. This is the sshd that i have.
Seagate Hybrid Drives ST1000LM014 1TB MLC/8GB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s NCQ 2.5" Laptop SSHD -Bare Drive - Newegg.ca
I personally wouldn't recommend wouldn't anything from seagate , all my seagate HDs that i have had in the last 3 years have either died or have corrupted sectors. I currently have one of the SSHD in question I purchased it for school and I have already RMA 2 times in 2 years. I planning on RMA one last time and then selling it. The drive has been unreliable at best. I would stay away from seagate period and this isn't any fanboyism. Go on newegg and check the user reviews for seagate Hd , its not great. This is the sshd that i have.
Seagate Hybrid Drives ST1000LM014 1TB MLC/8GB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s NCQ 2.5" Laptop SSHD -Bare Drive - Newegg.ca
Good choice. :thumb:
An idea for 'long term' is to get a NAS. Either build one (old rig and new hdds + FreeNAS os) or buy one. If you are a hoarder you will quickly start thinking about the pros and cons of 8tb vs 10tb drives for a....oh say off the top of my head .... 14 bay rig upgrade.
Good choice. :thumb:
An idea for 'long term' is to get a NAS. Either build one (old rig and new hdds + FreeNAS os) or buy one. If you are a hoarder you will quickly start thinking about the pros and cons of 8tb vs 10tb drives for a....oh say off the top of my head .... 14 bay rig upgrade.
Many thanks to you and everyone else! (I also saw the links in the thread where the guy didn't buy a SSD till a year later which helped a lot!)
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