WWAN SLOT

[CATALIN11]

Hello!

I would like to address two questions about the WWAN slot on a HP Zbook G3 laptop - T7V62EA:
1.The WWAN slot on this product is it compatible  or not with Intel Optane, 32GB, M.2, 20nm, SSD catching?

2.If your answer is negative, please recommend some SSD catching, to be compatible with the WWAN slot on the above-mentioned laptop.

Best regards!

[Huffer]

The whole laptop is not compatible with Optane as that requires BIOS Code it does not have. The first laptops with Optane compatibility are just on the cusp of being released. 

I believe Windows 10 still can run the Intel Rapid Storage caching. I have a Thinkpad T460 that has a WWAN M.2 2260 slot that can also do disk caching and it works fine using that or expresscache software. 

The caching will only work to accelerate a mechanical hard drive and you do know that machine has the ability to have a pair of hard drives or M.2 disks used as direct storage, right? The disk caching is pretty good but it pales in comparison to an M.2 NVME disk. 

Also not clear if the WWAN M.2 slot supports a 2260 or a 2242 form factor. I would open it up and measure the slot to be sure and M.2 drives shorter than 2280 are getting harder to find. 

Please let us know exactly what you are trying to do so we can help. I have the 15 inch version of the same laptop so pretty familiar with the internals and what is possible.  

[CATALIN11]

Thank you for your answer, Mr. Huffer!
I bought two HDDs, occupying the slots available on my laptop HP.
Regarding the WWAN slot, I would like to know if it can be install a SSD of at least 128GB (because I'm using virtualization) in this slot, or if it does not allow installing a SSD of at least 128 GB I was thinking to install a SSD catching to allow my acceleration of speed to the already installed HDDs.

Best regards!

[Huffer]

I may be dense but you have a 2280 M.2 slot that can take an NVME/PCIe disk, the fastest thing yet invented. Why would you use legacy technology like disk caching? I have seen some of your other posts and other answers and it is pretty clear the WWAN is only for caching.

[CATALIN11]

O.K.
If this WWAN slot is used only for catching, the installation of SSD catching  would have helped to speed up the two HDDs, which  I installed in my laptop.
That's why I think it would have helped me, if you would recommend me a SSD for catching as it would have allowed the acceleration of the speed of the two HDDs.

[Huffer]

Until I know what size drive is going to fit in the WWAN slot it is hard to do. 42mm or 60mm? 

[CATALIN11]

I think it's 42mm: https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-ZBook-17-G3-Workstation-Review.166334.0.html.

[Huffer]

Not sure where you see that in there. Do you have it in your possession? Open it up and measure the distance between the mounting screwhole and the insertion slot for the WWAN card. 

2242:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-749153-001-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B00PDCWUFI/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=151...

2260:

https://www.amazon.com/32GB-2260-SATA3-Electronic-Computer/dp/B015VEQDK0/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&i...

You don't need anything any bigger than 32 gigs for an accelerator cache. 

[CATALIN11]

[Huffer]

Sorry missed that tiny print. I gave you a link above for a 2242 M.2 disk 32 gigs that will work for acceleration cache. 

Now we have to walk you through installation and setup I guess. Unless you already know exactly how you are going to do it. 

You want to do it with the Intel Rapid Storage Technology app:

IRST on my Zbook 15 G3

Just type Intel Rapid Storage in the Windows 10 search box. The app will show all SATA hard drives and SSDs in the machine. This is my Zbook 15 G3 which has a 2280 M.2 NVME/PCIe, which the app will not "see" and I also have a 2.5 inch SATA SSD for additional storage which it does show. When you put the M.2 disk in, the app will show your hard drives and the M.2 SATA disk and you can enable acceleration from within the app. Don't mess with BIOS.