SSD vs NVMe on Corei5 8th Gen?

[The_Other_One]

I purchased an HP Pavilion from BestBuy a few years ago (2019?).

Windows 10, Intel Core i5-8265U 1.60 1.80 GHz (8th Gen).

RAM = 32GB.

The current hard drive is an SSD 500GB, which has become too small for what I'm doing (virtual instruments for live music, using Kontakt, Omnisphere, etc). So I'm looking at options in the 1TB size.

Would it be better to stay with an SSD or could I SAFELY install an NVMe? Any special instructions I need to be aware of? I would clone the current HD to this NVMe (using the software the NVMe manufacturer would be recommending). I'm partial to the Crucial brand, so I believe it would be Acronis. 

Thanks for any help! 🙂  

[banhien]

@The_Other_One 

What is your machine ? We need to know its specs to be able to work out .  Please use the following way to find out:

                 How to Find Your HP Laptop Model Number

Regards.

[The_Other_One]

Hi, thanks for your reply!

The product number I see is 7PL15UA#ABL. 

It has a 15.6 in screen.

Does that help?

[The_Other_One]

It doesn't look like my answer was helpful. Then it's clear I don't truly understand what information you need. 

This is not something I have ever had to do, so if you could give me more clarity?

Could you be more explicit? What's wrong with my reply earlier? Isn't the model number what I posted?

Regards,

Andre

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Here is the Service Manual:

Manual 

See pages 27-33 for instructions on access to the inside to install a new SSD. Your laptop can only accept an M.2 SSD so that is what you have now. That can be replaced with any capacity NVME M.2 SSD. 1 TB is no problem but you can also go 2 or 4 TB if you wish. Acronis is a good choice for cloning and of course you need an external USB NVME M.2 adapter box. Let us know if you have any more questions. 

[The_Other_One]

Great! Thank you, Huffer! That is very helpful. I'll start looking for that external adapter box. 

Regards,

Andre

[The_Other_One]

Reading the manual's instructions for replacing the drive, I realized I need one more clarification before ordering a replacement: 

This one has a heatsink - would that fit in the case?

https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-Internal-Playstation-Compatible-CT2000T500SSD5/dp/B0CK2RKPBL/

As compare to one without? 

https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-Internal-Gaming-Desktop-Compatible/dp/B0CK2TC9XQ/

Thanks again!

[The_Other_One]

Last question - heatsink of none?

This (if it fits in the case?):
https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-Internal-Playstation-Compatible-CT2000T500SSD5/dp/B0CK2RKPBL/

As compare to one without?
https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-Internal-Gaming-Desktop-Compatible/dp/B0CK2TC9XQ/

Regards,

Andre

[The_Other_One]

I keep adding to my question but it looks like it disappears every time. 

Can I install a Gen 4 NVMe when Intel says only up to a Gen 3? Is this critical?

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/149088/intel-core-i5-8265u-processor-6m-cache-u...

Regards,

Andre

[Huffer]

Gen 4 is beyond the capability of the motherboard. It will work, but downclock to operate at Gen 3 speeds. The price for Gen 3 and Gen 4 is usually pretty close but if you are paying more for a Gen 4 its wasted. Heatsinks are likely not necessary but all but the thickest ones will fit. I usually avoid them, however. Samsung 970 Evo is still a good choice even though a few years old now; you still find new ones for sale. Adapter:

https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Enclosure-Tool-Free-External-Aluminum/dp/B09T97Z7DM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?sr=...

I believe your old 512 gig SSD is also an NVME so you could use this after the upgrade to have a half terabyte external storage drive.