Is an SSD/HD combo worth it? (Stinky build question)

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

I decided to junk my POC. 2.5-year old HP computer and build a new one through Micro Center. I've used Gib's build as a model, and can get it done for under $1000 (since I already have a PSU, video card and Windows 7).

The one area where I'm still debating options is whether to get a fast 2 TB hard drive, or get a 120 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive. I figure I'd put my OS and most popular game(s) on the SSD, and everything else on the HD if I get the SSD.

Going the SSD/HD route would probably add about $150 to the build.

Do you think it's worth it? What's the real benefit?

And would that up the power consumption by much (I have a 7000w PSU).

[[JiF]KellysHero]

It is very much worth it to go the SSD route. Both my home system and work laptop have an SSD in them with a Core i5 processor, and I can go from cold start to fully up and running in about 25 seconds. I pretty much only play BF3, and while I didn't notice any in game performance improvements, load times are much much faster with the SSD vs. HD. Initially I had BF3 on my hard drive but moved it over to the SSD, so this is first hand knowledge. As for power consumption, depends on your video cards and cpu, but SSD use a lot less power (no moving parts) vs a typical HD.

[[JiF][AARP]Tissueman]

I have a 120 gb ssd and a 1 tb he and will echo what Kelly says. I start the microwave for 3 mins and can start my PC and check email before breakfast is done.

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

Sigh. You guys just cost me $150!

Thanks.

[[JiF]zougathefist]

Sigh. You guys just cost me $150!

LIES - you had already mentally spent the $150 and came here for validation

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

Who is this guy, and how did he get into my head like that?

[[JiF]Gib]

ahahahahahahah!

you 2 crack me up.

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

I did get the SSD/HD bundle. but they didn't have the HD I wanted (WD Caviar Blue 7,200 RPM 6Gb/s 1 TG). So I got a Seagate Barracuda Green 5,900 RPM 6Gb/s 2 TB one, figuring the extra TB was worth dropping from 7,200 to 5,900 RPM. It was also $5 cheaper. See any issues?

The whole rig (large gaming case, MB, SSD, HD, i7-2600 CPU, 16 GB RAM, cooler) came to just under $1,200, which included the labor charge to put it together and a 3-year full-replacement warranty on all the parts. I'm using the power supply, video card and DVD drives from my old unit.

I'm pretty impressed with the Micro Center in my area (Fairfax, VA). It's like a brick & mortar Newegg (in fact, they will price match Newegg or Tigerdirect). The guy who helped me (he had a "Build Your Own" button on) is a hard-core gamer himself and helped me put it all together. It should be ready Sat or Sun.

Thanks to Gib for giving me the model to use.

As I told him last night on TS, I can't imagine ever buying a factory-made computer system again.

[[JiF][AARP]Tissueman]

Stinky,

Did Microcenter carry the Mini-Adaptor so you can knife Tissue and EOD Gib? I forgot to get that when I bought my parts at Microcenter

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

LOL, no. I did ask the BYO guy helping me if he played BF3, and he smiled and said he played BF3 "professionally." He's in a Clan called GTL.

[[JiF]Mike]

Love seeing all these upgrades!

I'm planning on getting an SSD in a few weeks. Gotta keep up with you guys. lol