SSD upgrade 6730

[tomas550]

I'm thinking about upgrading my laptops hard drive to an SSD and adding a bit more RAM. Has anyone tried this? Is it possible? Would it make a great deal of difference to the performance of my laptop if i did?

[erico]

Upgrading the notebook with an SSD disk would definitely add a major performance boost.  You won't believe that it is the same PC.

A bit more RAM also never hurts. 🙂

I recommend that you use the upgrade by cloning route with a usb to SATA connector betweeen the SSD and the desktop PC. 

[tomas550]

How do I do the clone set and how do I find which SSD is compatible with my laptop please? Thanks so much for your help! 

[erico · Accepted solution]

Any SSD that is sold as a notebook upgrade kit will be compatible with your notebook.  Be sure and purchase a kit that is delivered with a SATA to USB cable and cloning software. Purchase the highest capacity SSD that is within your upgrade budget.

Corsair and other SSD manufacturers sell notebook upgrade kits.  Go to a website such as NewEgg.com to find pricing and availability of the SSD that you have chosen.

These are just an example of what will work in your notebook. Mypersonal brand preference is Samsung and Corsair. 

[Huffer]

I also see you have 32 bit Windows 7 which will limit the amount of RAM you can use. For anything over 3 gigs you need to have a 64 bit operating system. 

[tomas550]

Good timing I was just about to buy an extra 4gb to component my 2gb...
So 3gb is the Max for 32 bit? Can I upgrade the is to 64bit or is it more a hardware thing?

[Huffer]

The hardware can run 64 bit Windows but you cannot do a direct upgrade to 64 bit from 32. It requires a reinstall. The good news is the Windows license covers either 32 or 64 bit so you can reuse your Key Code for the 64 bit install. 

[tomas550]

Can anyone tell me what I need to be looking at on here to make sure I get the correct drive, cable and  holster/attachment please? I looked on Newegg.com looks a bit more expensive than ebuyer. Thanks for the help guys you've been brilliant.

[Huffer]

Youtube video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbCopTOTFo

Your model has a caddy that allows the SATA hard drive/SSD to be plugged directly into the motherboard. That is, no need for any cables or connector pieces. You will reuse the metal caddy/sled with a new hard drive/SSD. At 1:15 the tech is taking the old drive out of the caddy and at 1:50 he is putting the new one in. 

Your old hard drive is a small and slow 160 gig 5400 rpm drive. I recoomend at least a 500 gig 7200 rpm drive or a 256 gig SSD.

Here is a really good deal on a hard drive. This one is a little thinner than yours but the screw holes will line up and the SATA connector will plug in it will just ride lower in the caddy:

Newegg hard drive

Here is the best 250 gig SSD on the market and it comes with cloning software. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W02CZ2241

If you need any more help let us know.

[tomas550]

There seems to be quite a few reviews of the Samsung SSD failing after a relatively short time... bit worrying...Any ideas why? Will there be a compatibility issue with my laptop?

Also what about the RAM issue? Please see above post.