I will probably do the fresh install.  I suspect it may be a little messy after 3 years (maybe 4) of use.  I did go with the Samsung 850 PRO 240 GB.  I figure on an OS I am not going to need 500 GB.  As I understand it, one should avoid as many writes as possible.  Reads are not an issue. 
Also I have the motherboard set up for AHCI.  I wonder if I have to set trim on the Samsung or is it automatic?

deswind : you wont be sorry . at Samsung you will see tools... to keep your new ssd runnig perfect, everything you need is there.. I hope your using a data drive. this makes stuff blazing fast !
 
Tell me the make and model of your motherboard : I will read at is support page.
 
http://www.samsung.com/us...rs/product/MZ-7KE256BW
 

Thanks Star Tekh --My motherboard is a Gigabyte Sniper R.1 bought Feb 2011, with a 990X in it (6 core) running at 4 ghz.  Also 12gbs of ram
SSD slot is 6 gbits.
motherboard ---  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128471
Gee - it has it's 4th birthday this month.  Is that bad?

Maby you should use cpu-z to tell me the motherboard info . google it
1366 board but still killer
back soon:   http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3760#dl
 
Old but the correct driver :  
Intel INF installation9.1.2.10071.19 MB
2011/03/18
 
last stable bios:  
F21.03 MB2011/04/01  if your board was running well and was stable dont do bios !
install the latest video drivers your good to go !
 
 
 
 

deswind
Also I have the motherboard set up for AHCI.  I wonder if I have to set trim on the Samsung or is it automatic?

Yes, AHCI is what you want in BIOS before installing for best performance (enables native command queuing, etc.)  The operating system will detect that it's installing on an SSD and enable TRIM automatically.  This is only really something you need to check when migrating an existing OS installation from magnetic platter drive to SSD.  New installs will always enable TRIM and perform partition alignment for you.

Thanks everyone.  Motherboard has been stable.
Great people here!

According to Bill51, "Always install applications on the same drive as the OS."  Is there something detrimental to having the OS on one SSD and all applications on another SSD?  Just curious. 

BEFORE you swap drives, find all the presets you have saved, and save them with your other backups.
If you have used the Sonar preset function, use the preset manager to export all your presets, especially for the DX plugs such as Sonitus.
 
Then find prog files created by VSTs such as DP, AD, Celemony,...