I just realized it isn't as straightforward as installing a HDD. A quick search on Google got me some tutorials, but as I've never done this before, I'm not sure which one "sounds right" and which ones are blatantly wrong. Anyone recommend me a proper tutorial?

Not really to fussed about re-installing Win7 on the SSD, my current install is a good 8 months old, might as well start from scratch and start from a clean slate. Just want to make sure the SSD is "prepared" properly.

And do I partition the SSD (256GB Crucial M4) into an OS and Games sections? Or is it better to keep it as one big partition?

That is the same SSD I ordered and should be here on the 12th. I'm not going to partition mine, but I also ordered a 500GB HDD to put other stuff on. My SSD will have games and OS on it, everything else will be on the other drive. Make sure you update it with the newest driver/firmware/software.

There are only a few things different, compared to a fresh HD instal, but preparation is the same.

- Gather drivers for your hardware components and put them on a stick, or slipstream them with Win7 on a DVD or USB stick.

- Check which SATA controller of your motherboard is the fastest and which connector uses it.

- Place the SSD in your system and boot into BIOS to set it to AHCI.

- Instal the OS.

- Use the SSD Optimization Guide at TheSSDReview.

...but maybe I missed something and others can supplement my suggestions?

Oh yeah, no point in partitioning, for the same reason one doesn't defragment on an SSD. Just use a directory "Games" etc.

Thanks JAMF. The main idea of the partition was to have a clear allocation for games vs OS. I guess that partition will just get in the way later, eh?

How do I update an SSD? I've never had to update a HDD before

Neither have I. Still only running an older Kingston V-series and a Crucial C300, so I probably should.

But apparently you create a boot CD:
http://www.crucial.com/support/firmware.aspx?source=web

It's very likely that the drive you receive will already have the latest firmware.