SSD drive

[shu-hi]

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Home, 64 bit

Processor: AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, AMD64 Family 21 Model 16 Stepping 1

Processor Count: 4

RAM: 5602 Mb

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7640G, 512 Mb

Hard Drives: C: 569 GB (519 GB Free); 😧 25 GB (3 GB Free);

Motherboard: Hewlett-Packard, 184B

Antivirus: Windows Defender, Disabled

From what I understand there are two main bottle-necks when it comes to computer speed: The processor and hard drive are probably at the top of the list - I realize there are other bottle-necks but the processor and hard drive seems to be what most are stating from what I Googled.  

The above described laptop runs good (no error messages or crashes) however,  boot-ups and programs load pretty slow. I was going to install an SSD which would normally help with the storage and boot-up slowness, but I was told that my Processor (see above) is a low-end processor and because it is, installing an SSD would probably not help. 

If someone out there is pretty knowledgeable about processors would you also say you agree that this is a low-end processor and that I would probably wasting my money installing an SSD drive?

Your opinions would be greatly appreciate 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Actually, back in the day, the processor your notebook has was pretty decent.

http://www.notebookreview.com/notebookreview/amd-a10-4600m-review-a-closer-look-at-amds-trinity/

I think a SSD would make a nice difference in performance.

I use this model in one of my notebooks.  It is inexpensive and very good.  Don't take my word for it, read the reviews...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F9G43WU/ref=sxts_sxwds-puwylo_rv_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=353407...

When you decide to upgrade your notebook, move the SSD to the new one.

[shu-hi]

Thanks Paul,

I'm going to go ahead and buy a Crucial 250GB SSD $75.00.  They have come down in price substantially so if I don't get some appriceable boot-up performance at least, I can return the drive for a refund and put my mechanical drive back in. 

Thanks again 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I think you are going to really like the difference a SSD makes.

[shu-hi]

The laptop is about 6 years old - a 17" (a little big to haul around) so I pretty much just use it as computer in my living room.

If I ever get the money, I'll put in a 250GB SSD as my primary drive and buy a optical drive caddy and put my existing hdd drive in it since I never use my DVD drive anymore anyway. After pricing what I would need to do this, I think I can do this for a little under $100. Good advice to move to a new pc some day.

Thanks again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

I agree with you...a 17" notebook is big.

Even the 15.6" ones are pretty large.

I like the 14" display size models myself.

[shu-hi]

I am also going to put a 2nd HDD drive into this laptop by removing the optical drive.  I will need to buy a caddy for the for the HDD drive so it will fit properly in the optical drive bay.  I have found several web sites that sell these caddy's so that part isn't a problem, but they do come in 2 different widths - 9.5 mm  and  12.7 mm. 

Now I guess I could go through the work of pulling out the current optical drive and measuring it but that's is more work than I would like to do if possible. 

Can you tell me which width of caddy I need to purchase for this laptop, the 9.5mm or the 12.7mm?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, I would not know that info.

However, HP may have the size of the drive listed in Chapter 3 of the maintenance and service guide for your specific model g7.

https://h22207.www2.hp.com/us-en

[shu-hi]

That's okay, I'll just buy both sizes and take back the one that doesn't work - there real inexpensive - don't want to tear into it twice.  I did check the service manual and couldn't find any sizes for it - the thinkness is the main issue. But no worries, I'll cover both bases this way.

Thanks again for your help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.