CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I've got a CF-29 MK5, and for the last few hours I've been coming up empty trying to find a way to get a high performing SSD into it. With the IDE controller, it seems like the only option is paying way too much for an older SLC IDE SSD with limited disc space. Which doesn't make much sense to me, since the SSD would be 'slow' in comparison to a newer, faster SATA SSD.



I (think) my CF-29 has a PCI-e slot in it where I could put a SATA PCIe SSD, but I don't know if that would work. The SATA PCI SSDs are advertised as 'plug n play', but maybe that's only the case if you've got an SATA controller in the first place? Would getting a PCIe SSD would circumvent the IDE issue?



Basically, how do I get an SATA ssd into my CF-29, and still see the drive's full performance?



Is the 29's IDE mobo a bottleneck that is impossible to get around?



Is it possible to do something like install a PCI SATA card http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...2&postcount=3?



Do something with a card like this http://www.amazon.com/SD-SATA2-4IR-I...052558&sr=8-4?

Reply 1 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

There is an adapter for ide to sata, its on ebay it works. It just requires a bit of modification.

Reply 2 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I don't think you will find a pci-e slot on the cf-29 , other than the mark 5 wwan sled



Even if it did, the chances of being able to boot to it are 0



I think there is a couple of members here that choose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance



And a few that have used a sata to ide adapter , not really a good fit though



The majority have chosen the 7200rpm hitachi or the 5400rpm Samsung drives





Alex

Reply 3 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat57 I don't think you will find a pci-e slot on the cf-29 , other than the mark 5 wwan sled Even if it did, the chances of being able to boot to it are 0 I think there is a couple of members here that chose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance And a few that have used a sata to ide adapter, not really a good fit though The majority have chosen the 7200rpm hitachi or the 5400rpm Samsung drives

I sometimes question the reasoning behind trying to "super speed" a reasonably fast "intelligent brick" like the Toughbook CF-29.



Want a "gamer" Toughbook? Go for an i7-equipped CF-31.

Reply 4 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat57 I think there is a couple of members here that chose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance

I'm one of those members, and I posted some of my positive experiences with it. It certainly makes for a more responsive system.



Another option is a 1.8" ZIF drive and then get an adapter to convert to 2.5" IDE. I've used the Addonics adapter with success. This can give you a few more choices than just the dwindling 2.5" PATA drives.



You have to watch what you getting, as newer isn't necessarily better. An Mtron SLC SSD in a CF-18 gets a better Primary Hard Disk score in the Windows Experience Index (5.9) than a new mid-range desktop computer a friend built with an SATA MLC SSD (5.1).



I don't know much about them as a company, and I have never used any of their products, but RunCore still includes 2.5" PATA IDE Solid State Drives in its product line. While these MLC drives are currently available in capacities up to 256 GB, the performance is less than that of earlier Mtron models.

Reply 5 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Mtron is one of the first companies that made ssd drives

They were top of the performance charts when they came out

I have a 16gb slc sata Mtron in my spare cf-19 caddy

Expensive when purchased, as was my Samsung slc ssd drives



















Alex

Reply 6 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I don't play games on the toughbook (though the previous owner had Disney games and Sims 2 installed when I got it). I'm looking at this from a long term investment standpoint. I don't want to buy a PATA ssd because PATA is on the way out I think. I would rather heavily invest in a SATA ssd and get an adaptor for it now so I could remove it from the Toughbook and put on a newer machine years from now and still be happy.



Guess it's not possible to see the full performance out of the SATA ssd but so be it. Question is should the new ssd be SLC or MLC. I saw a post by Les(?) recently around here saying that the newer MLCs don't have as many disadvantages vs SLCs

Reply 7 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Its a toss up



In a few years the cost will be down, and the capacity up on the sata ssd drives



However if you go with an inexpensive sata ssd and adapt it to work it should be reliable and fast













Alex

Reply 8 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

-Adapter - Amazon.com: Addonics ADSAIDE SATA to IDE-ATAPI Converter: Electronics

-SSD - Amazon.com: ADATA 128 GB S599 Sandforce 2.5-Inch SATA II 3.0Gb/s Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) AS599S-128GM-C (Black): Electronics



Think it'll fit the 29?

Reply 9 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I like your ssd choice

It uses the Sandforce controller ,which is highly rated



Not sure on the Adapter

Here's another listing for it

SATA laptop adapter 2.5" IDE Panasonic TOUGHBOOK CF-29 - eBay (item 260666946111 end time Oct-19-10 20:23:49 PDT)













Alex