Would replacing my 5400rpm HDD with a 256Gb SSD boost system performance significantly ?

[Ramesh-Iyer]

Hi,

I have an HP 15 Notebook Model r063tu which is 5 years old. It's not my primacy PC, yet I do work on it now and then, when my primary PC is occupied by family members (online classes, Webinars, etc.). I often find that when I open just Edge, FF, and Chrome (less often) with about 5-6 tabs in each web browser, the PC seems to become sluggish. But, strangely, it boots up faster than my Windows 10 64-bit based Dell PC with Intel Core i3 8th Gen CPU  with the same 8Gb RAM. On my HP Notebook, it seems the 5400 rpm HDD is the culprit, as it takes sometime to close programs (mostly web browsers) and to shutdown. Would like to know if replacing the HDD with an SSD will significantly boost the Notebook's overall performance. Besides, the HP Notebook has only one bay to house either an HDD or an SSD. Will invest in the upgrade only if it seems worth the cost and effort.

Cheers

Ramesh 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Ramesh:

I would definitely recommend that you replace the 2.5" 500 GB mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" 500 GB SSD.

They are not that expensive for that size storage capacity.

I used to be skeptical that a SSD would make much of a difference in drive performance, but I was wrong.

I have replaced all of the mechanical hard drives with SSD's in my desktop and notebook PC, and have not regretted it one bit.

I recommend this drive, which has the best performance for the price, in my opinion.

Amazon.in: Buy Western Digital WD Blue 500 GB 2.5 inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (WDS500G2...

[Ramesh-Iyer]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your prompt response to my earlier post. I plan to get a new laptop once I start going to work/office (currently WFH during the pandemic), which could be early next year, if the Covid situation improves enough. But, chances are that it may take much longer too. Hence, am in two minds whether to invest in a new SSD for this 5 year old HP Notebook 15. 

You have stated that it's indeed worth replacing HDDs with SSDs, so did a quick look-out on Amazon India for a 240-250Gb HDD (as I don't have much data on this laptop, so can easily manage with a 256Gb SSD). This one has good ratings and reviews. What's your take on this one ?

Amazon.in: Buy Crucial BX500 240GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5-inch SSD (CT240BX500SSD1) Online at Low Prices i...

Had read / heard that Samsung EVO 870 was  a very good one too, but is much higher priced now.

Cheers

Ramesh

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome, Ramesh.

The BX500 would be OK, but the MX500 would be better.

Amazon.in: Buy Crucial MX500 250GB SATA 2.5-inch 7mm Internal SSD (CT250MX500SSD1) Online at Low Pri...

The BX 500 has a slower read/write speed than the MX500.

You can also get the WD Blue in a 250 GB capacity.

Amazon.in: Buy Western Digital WD Blue 2.5" SATA SSD, 550MB/s R, 525MB/s W, 5 Y Warranty, 250GB Onli...