What to upgrade - SSD or RAM ?

[2984839]

Hello there,

Could you please let me know if this model below is the right one for Samsung EVO ? (just reconfirming because I'm about to purchase).

SAMSUNG 840 EVO SERIES 250GB SATA III 2.5' SSD (MZ-7TE250BW)

Thanks,
Andy

That model will work fine.

 

[Weaselboy]

Hello there,

Could you please let me know if this model below is the right one for Samsung EVO ? (just reconfirming because I'm about to purchase).

SAMSUNG 840 EVO SERIES 250GB SATA III 2.5' SSD (MZ-7TE250BW)

Thanks,
Andy

Yep, that's the correct one and will do the trick for you.

 

[andy8]

Before throwing money at the issue, you should work on figuring out the root cause. If you have that stats file using 96% of your CPU, an SSD won't solve the issue.

I just posted a thread about a mid '09 MBP I just picked up to play around with and it still has an HDD and 8GB RAM and it is pretty speedy. Still going to throw an SSD in it, but honestly I agree with the others, you have an issue that goes beyond needing to upgrade hardware.

ETA: And that's what I get for not reading the whole thread. So systemstats is normal? Okay then, you still shouldn't be slowing down unless your HDD is failing. Also while you're in there replacing that HDD with an SSD, grab a can of compressed air and clean out the case/fans.

Thank you for the point. I'll make sure to clean out the fans.

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That model will work fine.

Thank you.

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Yep, that's the correct one and will do the trick for you.

Thank you.

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The next episode, will be to get the TRIM enabling done. I've come across few paid and free applications for TRIM enabling.

Are there any specific differences between paid and free applications and should the TRIM enabling be switched on at all times after the SSD is installed ? I'm new to this area and inputs will certainly be helpful.

 

[Weaselboy]

The next episode, will be to get the TRIM enabling done. I've come across few paid and free applications for TRIM enabling.

Are there any specific differences between paid and free applications and should the TRIM enabling be switched on at all times after the SSD is installed ? I'm new to this area and inputs will certainly be helpful.

http://www.cindori.org/software/trimenabler/

Just use the free version of the TRIM enabler app. What that app does it modify a kext file (sort of like a driver) to enable TRIM. Once the app has done that, you can exit the app and you don't need to keep the app running. All the TRIM apps do this core function the same way by changing that kext file.

Keep the app on your Mac for later though, because most every point update like 10.9.4 then 10.9.5 etc, will overwrite that kext file and turn off TRIM.... so you need to run the app once more to turn it back on.

 

[andy8]

http://www.cindori.org/software/trimenabler/

Just use the free version of the TRIM enabler app. What that app does it modify a kext file (sort of like a driver) to enable TRIM. Once the app has done that, you can exit the app and you don't need to keep the app running. All the TRIM apps do this core function the same way by changing that kext file.

Keep the app on your Mac for later though, because most every point update like 10.9.4 then 10.9.5 etc, will overwrite that kext file and turn off TRIM.... so you need to run the app once more to turn it back on.

That was really clear. Thank you so much.

 

[andy8]

SATA 2 and SATA 3

Hi,

I'm trying to understand a bit about the SATA interface of the SSD and my MacBook Pro's SATA connection. I think my current macbook has SATA 2 interface cable, meaning it supports up to (3.0Gb/s data transfer speed).

Assuming that my SSD is of SATA 3 standard (capable of supporting up to
6 Gb/s data transfer speed), what limitations can I experience, considering
the MacBook SATA 2 connection is only up to 3.0Gb/s; data transfer speed.

Does the data transfer speed differ significantly to any newer MacBook Pro's on SATA 3 interface ?

* By data transfer speed - I mean the data read/write between SSD and Macbook via SATA interface

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi,

I'm trying to understand a bit about the SATA interface of the SSD and my MacBook Pro's SATA connection. I think my current macbook has SATA 2 interface cable, meaning it supports up to (3.0Gb/s data transfer speed).

Assuming that my SSD is of SATA 3 standard (capable of supporting up to
6 Gb/s data transfer speed), what limitations can I experience, considering
the MacBook SATA 2 connection is only up to 3.0Gb/s; data transfer speed.

Does the data transfer speed differ significantly to any newer MacBook Pro's on SATA 3 interface ?

* By data transfer speed - I mean the data read/write between SSD and Macbook via SATA interface

There will be no limitations at all other than the fact the new SATA III drive will not be able to hit the tops speeds it might be capable of if it were installed in a newer Mac that had a SATA III connection.

SATA II can hit 300 MB/s vs. 600 MB/s with SATA III. Take a look at the SATA III speed tests charts in this test. Notice how the smaller file read/write speeds in those top couple charts don't hit 300 MB/s anyway, and much of the normal app and file use on your Mac is likely those smaller files. Not until you start moving to those lower charts with sequential reads of larger files do the SATA III speeds really start to matter.

Just in normal use with opening documents and launching apps, you would not likely notice much of a difference going from a SATA II to a SATA III Mac with an SSD. Now if you are working with 15GB videos or Photoshop files, then you would notice some difference.

Much of the big benefit of an in SSD normal usage comes from its very quick seek times and less so from its ability to do faster raw data transfers.

Does that answer your question?

 

[andy8]

There will be no limitations at all other than the fact the new SATA III drive will not be able to hit the tops speeds it might be capable of if it were installed in a newer Mac that had a SATA III connection.

SATA II can hit 300 MB/s vs. 600 MB/s with SATA III. Take a look at the SATA III speed tests charts in this test. Notice how the smaller file read/write speeds in those top couple charts don't hit 300 MB/s anyway, and much of the normal app and file use on your Mac is likely those smaller files. Not until you start moving to those lower charts with sequential reads of larger files do the SATA III speeds really start to matter.

Just in normal use with opening documents and launching apps, you would not likely notice much of a difference going from a SATA II to a SATA III Mac with an SSD. Now if you are working with 15GB videos or Photoshop files, then you would notice some difference.

Much of the big benefit of an in SSD normal usage comes from its very quick seek times and less so from its ability to do faster raw data transfers.

Does that answer your question?

Yes, that was a very clear explanation ! Thank you for your effort and time.