HP Compaq 8000 Elite Small Form Factor PC - Add SSD?

[JoWazzoo]

Can I ADD an internal SSD to this otherwise stock PC?  I would like to retain the current HD - 149GB Seagate ST3160318AS (SATA) if possible.  Note that I have searched all over the Web and these Forums to no  avail in answering this question.

In particular I would like to add a

SanDisk SSD PLUS 240GB Solid State Drive - SDSSDA-240G-G26

Can I do this?  Or is my only option to replace the existing HD?

I know that a cage/mounting bracket is needed.  Any SATA cables neeeded?

[I purchased this as a refurbished machine with a 19 " monitor and am quite pleased.  I have a 1 TB WD External HD that I use for back-ups.]

Thank you.

[old_geekster]

@JoWazzoo, welcome to the forum.

Here is the Technical Reference Guide for the computer.  It states that there is 1 - 5.25" external drive bay, 1 - 3.5" external drive bay and 1 - 3.5" internal drive bay.  Therefore, you should be able to add a SSD.  Personally, I like Samsung SSD's because they seem to work well with HP BIOS'es.  Also, Samsung's Data Migration software is very easy to use.  When the SSD is installed there is their Magician software to tweak the settings to make it operate at peak performance.

I always leave the HDD in place and connect the SSD to another SATA port on the motherboard.  Then, install the Data Migration software on the HDD.  Run the software and choose the Target drive which would be the SSD.  When the data has been moved, disconnect the HDD and boot.

You will need a power and data cable and a 3.5" SSD adapter for the 2.5" drive.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[JoWazzoo]

The 3.5 internal is filled with the existing HD.  I had already seen the material you posted a couple of places.  Not clear to me what the 3.5 "external" drive bay is or where located.  The 5.25" external drive bay has a CD/DVD drive in it.

[Big_Dave]

@JoWazzoo

The external 3.5" bay is typically used for the media card assembly. You didn't say if your PC is so equipped so we are not going to guess.

@old_geekster  FYI

[JoWazzoo]

Does not have media card assembly.  In looking at the machine again, I am assuming the 3.5 area is under the cd/dvd drive and that is where the media card assembly goes.  Guess I will have to figure out how to mount an SSD in there.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Check to see if a 3.5" to 2.5" adapter will fit under the optical drive. Also, while the PC is open, check to see if you have an open SATA port on the motherboard.  The optical drive should pivot up.

[JoWazzoo]

Thanks Big_Dave - you are confirming what I was thinking.  Will look inside the box tonight. **  Since there is nothing added to this other-wise stock machine, should be ok in terms of an available SATA connection.

** Looked earlier, but did not pivot up the optical drive.  I did see an extra power connector there.