Replacement of hard drive with SSD

Message

andrewb · #1 Post by **andrewb** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:01 pm

I am a long time Thinkpad user, but am not technically oriented and am hoping someone might assure me that I am right in what follows, and, if not, stop me from making a mistake.

My machine is a T43p, used typically for averagely demanding office work; no gaming or anything. I use two drives; one with my OS and a few programs (all in, only 10GB of used space out of an 80GB drive) and a second drive, in my ultrabay, with around 90GB of documents and library items. The second drive is, more often than not, switched off, because I only need to access its content occasionally.

What I am looking to do is replace my current C drive with a Samsung SSD, such as this one here:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... SAM-SS16GB

(I have yet to check, but there is no mention of it being sold to OEMs only and I am assuming this drive is available to consumers.)

My hope is that replacing the drive in this fashion will help to increase battery time marginally and, most importantly, to help me cut down, or eliminate, the constant din that my fan makes (I do not like the idea, or trust myself, to play around with fan control).

Although SSDs are pricey, my employer gives me a budget for peripherals, repairs and upgrades etc., and so, I am fortunate that cost is not a concern for me.

Would anyone be so kind as to offer their observations over whether my proposal has any merit. If so, would there be any advantage in getting a larger, 32GB, drive rather than the 16GB version, albeit that I do not expect to exceed say 10GB to 12Gb of used space on the drive in any event.

If this is workable, I will, in the spirit of these forums, report back on my experiences in due course.

Many thanks.

darkwish · #2 Post by **darkwish** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:24 pm

Since nobody has replied, I'll try.

I don't have one myself, but that drive should work fine. I don't think it'll make the fan come on less often though. However you'll notice dramatic increase in harddrive performance as SSD drives have no seek times.
There is no advantage of getting the 32gb vs. the 16gb version other than it has more space.

If you want lower fan noise, then why not try fancontrol. Read the thread on it, it's not too hard to configure. Just some editing of a text file.

frankie66 · #3 Post by **frankie66** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:29 pm

It does look cool... but still fairly expensive?

If you buy the 9 cell battery you'll get 5 hrs up time.

Also I think the fan is triggered mainly from CPU heat. The HD has spin noise but unless you have a bad one it's not too noticable.

I like the idea and want to hear your experiences. If it was 100 quid less I'd get one too. But if you can get the company to pay go for it! It's gonna reduce the laptop weight a bit too so that's another benefit

andrewb · #4 Post by **andrewb** » Wed May 02, 2007 5:52 pm

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply; I was beginning to wonder whether the absence of any replies whatsoever was a sign I was completely on the wrong track.

I am going to give it a go. I understand now that it might not make any difference with fan noise, although my machine is so noisy it might be that the hard drive also contributes to the din, and there will, hopefully, be some small improvement if it is replaced with an SSD. I am reluctant to use fancontrol as I would prefer not to mess with such things when I do not know what I am doing.

As to battery time, the claims are that the use of solid drive is meant to increase battery time. I do already use a 9 cell battery but I find that my times are much reduced because I am a heavy user of a 3G/HSDPA card which is resource heavy. I suspect that a solid drive will show some improvement, but I am not being too optimistic.

Whilst I will be trying this on a works owned machine, its attractions are greater for my own, which is a X41. Moving from a T43 to an X41 can make the latter seem agonisingly slow at times. Based on the comments in other posts, SSDs do seem to be well suited for replacing the 4,200 rpm drive in an X41, but I have not, as yet, succeeded in finding a 1.8" SSD. If I do, I might still baulk at the cost.

#5 Post by **Johan** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:06 pm

I am too very interested in hearing if anybody has purchased a 2.5” solid state disk (SSD) and has tried it as a replacement of the internal, mechanical harddisk in a T42? If so, does the ThinkPad appear faster, cooler and less noisy? Longer battery time, faster boot, faster program execution… or?? I just Google’d a little, and found that Dell are already offering a 32 GB SDD for their laptops (NB: Its form factor is 1.8” and not 2.5”).

Also, Sandisk have up to 64 GB SATA 2.5” SSD’s available - check here. Moreover, MTRON has both a variety of both PATA and SATA 2.5” SSD’s (MTRON, Samsung, PQI), while PNY is coming soon with both PATA and SATA 2.5” SDD’s up to 128 GB (!!). A recent review claim that SSD's are silent, has low power consumption but appear slow in use? The same observation seems to be reached here. Other reviews (this or this) report the contrary (?!?) – that the PC becomes faster?

So… any feedback from ThinkPad T4x-users? And, not the least: Does anybody know where to find e.g. a 32 GB 2.5” PATA SSD at a reasonably cheap price?

Best regards,

Johan

SHoTTa35 · #6 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:39 pm

this would be super sweet in my T42. The Sandisk PDF listed above compared it to a SATA drive and it was even better so i'm sure compared to my 5400RPM PATA drive it would be even nicer. I'm ready to upgrade my storage as i'm running low but not sure if SSD is ready for me yet. Although i guess i could get a smaller one now and then use my drive now in an UltraBay Slim adapter or just a USB 2.0 thingy. Hmmmm... decesions....

andrewb · #7 Post by **andrewb** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:48 pm

I started this thread and, in my defence, I did declare my lack of technical nous.

Moving on, I purchased a 16GB SSD (using a quite generous allowance provided my company). I would like to report on my findings, but all I have found is that I have acquired a drive which is not compatible with my T43.

Anyway, I now find myself with a Sansung 2.5" SSD, model number MC8DE16G5APP-OXA.

Given that, firstly, the drive cost me nothing and, secondly, I get far more out of this forum that I can put in, is there anyone who could put this drive to good use and, hopefully, report back on their findings.

If so, you are welcome to the drive. Within reason, I will pay for postage in or from the UK.

#8 Post by **tomh009** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:53 pm

That's a very generous offer, Andrew -- I'm sure you will have a long line of volunteers forming shortly!

SHoTTa35 · #9 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:10 pm

yeah, i'm forming a line alright!

andrewb · #10 Post by **andrewb** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:18 pm

In which case, first come ... as they say.

I will PM you.

andrewb · #11 Post by **andrewb** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:27 pm

Not sure if I am using my PM correctly. Shotta, could you PM me instead with your e-mail address. Thanks.

SHoTTa35 · #12 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:44 pm

that's taken care of now so once i get it i'll have to try taking some pics and all that of it and answer any questions you guys have.

#13 Post by **Johan** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:21 am

andrewb wrote:I started this thread and, in my defence, I did declare my lack of technical nous.

Moving on, I purchased a 16GB SSD (using a quite generous allowance provided my company). I would like to report on my findings, but all I have found is that I have acquired a drive which is not compatible with my T43.

Anyway, I now find myself with a Sansung 2.5" SSD, model number MC8DE16G5APP-OXA.

Given that, firstly, the drive cost me nothing and, secondly, I get far more out of this forum that I can put in, is there anyone who could put this drive to good use and, hopefully, report back on their findings.

If so, you are welcome to the drive. Within reason, I will pay for postage in or from the UK.

After reading the above I would like to say that, in my opinion, andrewb is one of the finest examples of the many helpful thinkpads.forum.com members, which I have met here. What a pleasure being part of this virtual community! Thank you andrew, for setting the high standards here... we certainly recognize a Genuine English Gentleman, when we see one!

SHoTTa35... I will surely be awaiting your "users report" once you get up and running on the SSD - how exciting!

Thanks again for this pleasant experience of borderless helpfulness and kindness - I hope my spirit will be permanently influenced by the example set by Andrew.

Best regards,

Johan

Temetka · #14 Post by **Temetka** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:05 pm

updates?

SHoTTa35 · #15 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:33 pm

none yet, it's in the mail now on it's way. You'll get info as soon as it becomes available

Snap · #16 Post by **Snap** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:56 pm

Why wasn't the Samsung SDD compatible with your Thinkpad? I'm assuming it was the wrong interface? For my T60p it would utilize SATA so I'm considering a 32GB Mtron:
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.c ... atch=exact

However, these are selling for 1/3 the price from Japanese resellers. Too bad almost no Japanese resellers speak English and I can't read Japanese characters. I was able to conver the YEN to USD to see the retail price though. I've only found one US distributor for Mtron SDDs and their prices are a rip off.

Anyone know of any legit sources for boxed/retail Mtron drives?

#17 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:03 pm

They have online ordering, so need to speak to anyone.

But the prices on the Japanese sites look to be around ¥95,000 (US$800) for a 32GB model or double that for a 64GB -- still not cheap.

Snap · #18 Post by **Snap** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:41 pm

tomh009 wrote:They have online ordering, so need to speak to anyone.

You lost me here. Is there a link you were intending to provide me with? And if your source has a shopping cart system then why must I speek to someone?

Do you find a Japanese website selling the 2.5" Mtron in 16GB or 32GB size? If so, please provide a link.

#19 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:52 pm

No, I was referring to your comment:

Snap wrote:Too bad almost no Japanese resellers speak English and I can't read Japanese characters.

There are lots of sites ... I didn't provide you any as you implied that you had looked at them. Here is one, though:
http://shop.tsukumo.co.jp/goods/4582149901999/

Edit: That one, at least, is out of stock ... here is another one:
http://www.ark-pc.co.jp/item/MSD-SATA60 ... e/13510008

SHoTTa35 · #20 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:04 pm

WHOA

I got the drive today and yikes that thing is light

I'm loving it already. I guess i'll probably have to do a full review.

I am running Vista on my Thinkpad now but i'll be installing XP Pro on the drive and do some tests as much as i can. I guess i'll create a new thread or something and have people ask any questions they like.

img]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9359 ... xl1.th.jpg[/img]

#21 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:06 pm

Many thanks to andrewb, and the pressure is now on SHoTTa35 for that detailed review!

SHoTTa35 · #22 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:25 pm

hehe, i don't know if you guys want a by the minute update or a full one once i'm done but ask questions now so i can keep an eye out for certain things while the install is going. I'm trying to keep an eye on it so i can get an acurate time on how long it takes.

#23 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:00 pm

Benchmarks vs the conventional disk would be great ...

#24 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:01 pm

Snap wrote:Why wasn't the Samsung SDD compatible with your Thinkpad? I'm assuming it was the wrong interface?

andrewb never did say specifically, but the T43p is very, very particular about what drives it is willing to work with ...

SHoTTa35 · #25 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:29 pm

ok i just finished installing lots of updates and all that. Figured i'd install all the drivers before trying to run any tests.

So for a HD test i used HDTach and came up with this:

img]http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2757 ... pd7.th.jpg[/img]

So far that looks better than the 80GB WD Scorpio 5400RPM ATA5/UDMA100 drive i had in here. With that one i was only getting 33MB.

Anyways, umm just giving you guys bits of info for now till it's all complete.

Oh and also, i set the Power Manager setting to Max Battery (WIFI OFF) and with a 6 Cell (15 cycles 50.05whrs remaining out of 51.83) it said 4hrs 16mins

I'll use the proper tools soon to do all the proper and controlled tests soon.

#26 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:46 pm

How does that battery life projection compare to what you were getting with your WD drive?

SHoTTa35 · #27 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:23 pm

well the most i've seen is 3:26 mins i think. I didn't fully drain it but yeah.

Samsung SSD Drive:
Brightness = 1
WiFi = OFF
Current = 0.95A
Wattage= 11.53Ws.
4hrs 16mins

WD Scorpio WD800UE:
Brightness = 1
Wifi = OFF
1.12A
13.75W
3Hrs 31mins

Ok so just remember these aren't full tests yet. Just some observations. on the WD test i waited to get the maximum battery. It was bouncing for a while then settled there then started to go down.

img]http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2083 ... uo4.th.jpg[/img]

That's the comparison between drives. The first one was only 2% CPU usage but this one spiked for some reason. The WD has a better burst rate because i'm guessing it's a UDMA100 vs the other thats UDMA66. Weird, i didn't even notice that at first

p78 · #28 Post by **p78** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:41 pm

Interesting : the "Open Box: SAMSUNG MCBOE32G8APR-0XA00 1.8" 32GB IDE Internal Solid state disk (SSD)" is "only" $313.99 at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 820147021R

I believe you can use this 1.8" drive as a 2.5" IDE drive with the "Addonics AAT18IDE25 1.8" to 2.5" IDE hard drive connector converter" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812174002
(I find this connector a little expensive at $14.99 + shipping though)

Replacement of hard drive with SSD

Replacement of hard drive with SSD

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