New PC Build with SSD for OS advice

[Peterjames]

Building a new Haswell i7 edit PC for Edius 6.55 and would like advice re install of windows 7 SP1 64bit oem OS. I recall reading on the forum about installing to HDD then image to SSD may be best. I am thinking of disconnecting all other video/data HDD drives and the OS SSD , then connect a spare HDD and install Win7 and updates to this (inc. Anton’s recommended user settings). Make an image of this then replace the HDD with the SSD and copy the OS image to the SSD and re connect other drives, then activate windows if all working ok. Then make further image as backup.

Is the above procedure correct or do you have any advice?

Is it advisable to defrag the OS HDD prior to making the image for transfer?

Should I install Edius plus NX and other software to the Win7 HDD before making the OS image to transfer to the SSD or wait till after the OS SSD is active with only Win7 installed?

I will be making several images at each stage of the install using Acronis True image 2012 or the Win7 imager.

Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks
Peter

[Jerry]

I build with a mechanical drive and then clone to the SSD.
I also build it out full, including activation. You can make a separate clone after windows is installed and setup. That way if you want to have a different build you have the basics.
Depending on the SSD software, make sure to optimize performance and set your over provisioning to save the disc.
Use the SSD strictly for the OS and programs and not for ANY type of storage.
This way if you do crash your clone will plug right in.
It is always best to install with the rom drive and the OS drive.
The less windows has to do at this point the better
I will say that I have had excellent installations with multiple drive raid 0's installed at this point.
And yes, I would defrag the mechanical dtive prior to making the SSD clone.

[Peterjames]

Thanks Jerry very good advice.

Could you clarify re the Win7 oem activation, from memory windows oem software used be tied to selected hardware, HDD, MB etc. Is that still the case if so should I hold off activation untill win7 is running on the SSD or have things changed?
Thanks, Peter

[Jerry]

All of my copies of Win 7 are OEM. I have not had any issues. If you make multiple clones and not images, you will need to have the clone already activated.
I have a clone with just Windows 7 and it is activated. The rest are full blown installs. The drives are only good for that particular system.

[GrassValley_BH]

If you just change the boot drive in my experience Win7 doesn't care or it did a silent reactivation without me knowing.

But if you have the opportunity to hold off on activation until all your hardware is set, do so.

[Jerry]

Whatever board you are looking at to buy, check to see how many bios updates have happened since it was released. There were many problems with the initial release of the Haswell bios roms. I prefer the ROG boards because of the flexibility, features, and durability of the boards. This is one of my preferred boards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Fapr7AodSFMAkA

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VI_FORMULA/

[Peterjames]

Thanks Brandon and Jerry

I have ordered an Asus Z87-A, this has 2 pci slots, one of these will be used to fit my old NX HD expanasion card into alongside the PCIe main NX card. I will make sure the MB has the latest updates applied.

My current edit PC with XP 32 was activated with an WD Raptor 740 HDD (with E5). When I upgraded to Edius 6 from E5 I used an acronis image from the raptor (E5) and imaged onto a new Samsung HDD and then upgraded to E6 with no XP activation problems running on the Samsung HDD. The Pc is not connected to the net. However I think I will play safe and hold off activation until Win 7 and hardware is fully installed and working on the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD.

[Jerry]

Since you are going to use the Samsung, don't forget the over provisioning setup. Also when setting up the performance optimization make sure to verify your power settings in windows.

[Peterjames]

Since you are going to use the Samsung, don't forget the over provisioning setup. Also when setting up the performance optimization make sure to verify your power settings in windows.

I am new to SSDs and have now read up about Samsung 'over provisioning' and propose to use 10%, does that sound about right.
I shall be using the PC mostly for edit work with Edius, photoshop and a few utilities installed so the 256GB is way over my likely needs. All video data and edit work will be held on separate HDDs (similar to my existing Xeon Edius 6setup). Is there any advange in partioning the SSD say 50/50 and either not using the spare space or using it for extra data/video backup etc?
thanks Peter