x40 - Samsung 1.8" Thin uSATA Mlc Ssd

[sergi]

Is it somehow possible to connect this SSD to x40 PATA interface through some bridge or something? Has been some threads on this previously, but they aren't active any more. This SSD is caseless, so it will be another issue apart from incompatibility? And what does uSATA mean? is it not a micro SATA?

[RealBlackStuff]

uSATA should actually be µSATA, but English keyboards don't have that letter.
The Greek letter M ( µ ) is pronounced MU (sound as in 'purse').
So uSATA/µSATA is MicroSATA.

[sergi]

Ah, very nice. Thanks. So do you think there is a MicroSATA connector to thinkpad x40 PATA interface?

[twistero]

If you're talking about an 1.8 inch microSATA drive, then it has the exact same footprint as the original 1.8 inch PATA drive used in X41. Therefore, it fits tightly in the drive bay, and there is no space for an adapter. I don't think there are commercially-available adaptors for this.

There are adapters for mSATA drives (which has the same form factor as miniPCIe cards), though.

[sergi]

There are adapters for mSATA drives (which has the same form factor as miniPCIe cards), though.

I think mine is exactly like this, because it is very thin. If there was a way to connect it to PCI on the side through some adaptor, it would fit thete physically. I know it wouldn't be possible (?) to boot from there in that case, but it's not a problem for me.

[Raceboy]

Actually it is possible to use microSATA drive in X40 using PATA->SATA adapter because the drive fits just under the PATA connector. Though it is not possible with Samsung early SLC 1.8" drives which are fatter than later (?)7mm MLC 1.8" drives.
This approach needs soldering SATA+power supply lines to the drive or making a small cable.

Microwave has done it few years ago but now it is easier to buy PATA->mSATA adapter and use mSATA SSD's. This is clean and easy solution.

[sergi]

Microwave has done it few years ago but now it is easier to buy PATA->mSATA adapter and use mSATA SSD's. This is clean and easy solution.

Thanks I'll be trying to find such. Any recommendations appreciated

[Raceboy]

I bought this one a week ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281031474403?ss ... 1423.l2649

And it showed up already yesterday! That is one quick delivery from Singapore.

It says 5V input voltage but I'll test it if it works on X4x machine also (with 3.3v), so far every regular HDD has worked with 3.3v despite specs say that they need +5v input.

If it won't it is very easy to modify to work at 3.3v (by bridging the FET).

[Tasurinchi]

I bought this one a week ago:

And what does uSATA mean? is it not a micro SATA?

Are we talking about the same? It was my understanding the MicroSata and mSata are two different connectors, but I may be proved wrong

[twistero]

I think mine is exactly like this, because it is very thin. If there was a way to connect it to PCI on the side through some adaptor, it would fit thete physically.

No, the X40 has miniPCI, not miniPCIe.

Please measure the dimensions of your drive. If it's 30mm * 51mm, it is an mSATA drive. If it measures 78mm * 54mm, it is an 1.8 inch drive (microSATA). mSATA and microSATA are very different things.

[hrmcrm]

Bösendorfer has done this X40 modification, and has a set of detailed pictures of the project at http://www.sweclockers.com/galleri/1047 ... -msata-mod

There are adapter boards available for 3.3V on eBay.

The modification is also discussed near the end of the thread at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 17#p702317

I did the modification on my X41, and find it very worthwhile.

Regards,
Howard

[hrmcrm]

Bösendorfer has done this X40 modification, and has a set of detailed pictures of the project at http://www.sweclockers.com/galleri/1047 ... -msata-mod

There are adapter boards available for 3.3V on eBay.

The modification is also discussed near the end of the thread at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 17#p702317

I did the modification on my X41, and find it very worthwhile.

Regards,
Howard

[Raceboy]

The Adata SP300 Premier Pro mSATA SSD showed up yesterday and I made the conversiontoday with some tests.

Long story short: I'm very satisfied! No issues AT ALL! No hiccups, no hangs, nothing. And excellent performance.
Since I had 5.0V adapter,I had to unsolder the FET and solder a blob to jump the 3.3V straight through (there's a place for that already present).
Here's some photos of the SSD mounted onto the adapter:

http://www.porsche-foorum.org/album/alb ... 013803.jpg
http://www.porsche-foorum.org/album/alb ... 013804.jpg

And here's CrystalDiskmark results:

http://www.porsche-foorum.org/album/alb ... skmark.JPG

So, adapter was €10, SSD was €36 (bought new from local shop), it is cheap enough to buy bigger SSD next time.

[ganon11000]

So you just get a msata drive and a adapter? I thought it mess up a x41 but I'm proved wrong!