The definitive X301 SSD upgrade thread

[renhui]

@renhui: How did you manage to insert the adapter into the slot? I also have a msata to 1.8" adapter but I find difficult to properly insert it since the adapter is smaller than the space in the slot. I did not try very hard actually

Hi there, sorry for the late reply, wasn't following the forum lately.
I simply used a tweezer and carefully inserted it. better wrap both sides with some tape to avoid possible shorting.

[renhui]

I think mSATA SSD with mSATA to SATA adapter is the way to go.
First the newer generation SSDs are a bit faster and with a manufacturer warranty.
Second, cost-wise, you are not really saving much by going with a 1.8" uSATA SSD. Apparently based on this thread, some of the 1.8" SSDs have compatibility issues with the X301.
Even if you later upgrade to a newer thinkpad, you can still use the mSATA alone or with some sort of adapter in the new laptop.
So it's an investment you can carry on.

I have this 2777MSU x301. Based on the replies here, this model should have better choices in terms of replacement ssd? Can you recommend a few and give me a rough idea how much would be a good price.

I saw toshiba one 45N7991 256G on ebay for $180-190, is it a good price?

[Procter]

I think mSATA SSD with mSATA to SATA adapter is the way to go.
First the newer generation SSDs are a bit faster and with a manufacturer warranty.
Second, cost-wise, you are not really saving much by going with a 1.8" uSATA SSD. Apparently based on this thread, some of the 1.8" SSDs have compatibility issues with the X301.
Even if you later upgrade to a newer thinkpad, you can still use the mSATA alone or with some sort of adapter in the new laptop.
So it's an investment you can carry on.

I have this 2777MSU x301. Based on the replies here, this model should have better choices in terms of replacement ssd? Can you recommend a few and give me a rough idea how much would be a good price.

I saw toshiba one 45N7991 256G on ebay for $180-190, is it a good price?

So I still need to get the 1.8 form factor ones or you were saying go with the 2.5 inch ones and insert it at the dvd drive bay?

[Procter]

With this adapteror any similar ones, http://www.amazon.com/Aleratec-mSATA-Dr ... vOs3_0_0_0

Can this sdd be usable in X301: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-240GB-mSA ... 40M500SSD3

What are other limiting factors besides the interface type and form factor? Thanks

[ajkula66]

With this adapteror any similar ones, http://www.amazon.com/Aleratec-mSATA-Dr ... vOs3_0_0_0

Can this sdd be usable in X301: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-240GB-mSA ... 40M500SSD3

What are other limiting factors besides the interface type and form factor? Thanks

That looks like a working setup to me.

There are really no "limiting factors" per se, apart from the ones that you've already noted.

[Tasurinchi]

With this adapteror any similar ones, http://www.amazon.com/Aleratec-mSATA-Dr ... vOs3_0_0_0

That looks nice, specially because it should fit exactly in the X301 bay.

I'm using this one, works fine too and it also fits pretty well in the bay: click me

[Procter]

With this adapteror any similar ones, http://www.amazon.com/Aleratec-mSATA-Dr ... vOs3_0_0_0

That looks nice, specially because it should fit exactly in the X301 bay.

I'm using this one, works fine too and it also fits pretty well in the bay: click me

Thanks.

And what preparation work I need to do before installing the drive? For example, firmware updates? some sort of boot file to put on the new drive?

I have zero experience of doing it but I do have win 7 installation disc and x301 working dvd drive, I was thinking it should be as simple as putting the drive and install from cd.

Thanks.

[Procter]

And also, why we are using the mSata version SDD? Looks like the SATAIII version SDD is cheaper, and there are some adapters for SATA to micro SATA conversion? I do see those SATA drives on sale are in an enclosure most of the time, can we take the chip out and do the same with an adapter for X301?

[Tasurinchi]

And what preparation work I need to do before installing the drive?

It's plug and play actually. Screw the mSata drive into the adapter, insert it in the bay and install the OS of choice.

Although there is some minimal preparation. I use insulation tape to insulate the adapter.

And also, why we are using the mSata version SDD? Looks like the SATAIII version SDD is cheaper

Last time I checked the 1.8" versions were more expensive. In case you find an offer for a 1.8" SSD then go for it of course. Some days ago I was lucky enough to grab a cheap 1.8" Kingston for my T400s (same bay as X301)

[Procter]

And what preparation work I need to do before installing the drive?

It's plug and play actually. Screw the mSata drive into the adapter, insert it in the bay and install the OS of choice.

Although there is some minimal preparation. I use insulation tape to insulate the adapter.

And also, why we are using the mSata version SDD? Looks like the SATAIII version SDD is cheaper

Last time I checked the 1.8" versions were more expensive. In case you find an offer for a 1.8" SSD then go for it of course. Some days ago I was lucky enough to grab a cheap 1.8" Kingston for my T400s (same bay as X301)

So you were saying, with this newer drive Crucial M500, once I plug it in, the computer should be able to recognize it and I can just do the standard partition/install OS from CD? No other prep work such as bios set up or some bootable files dump to the new drive?

[Tasurinchi]

Correct (provided both the SSD and the adapter work, and it's correctly attached)

[Ojushminald]

And again about Toshiba 256Gb SSD THNSFC256GAMJ FRU 45N7991 PN 45N7990

SUCCESS

Disk manufacture date - DEC2012

x301 type 2774-WL5
BIOS 3.16 - original, not modified

and, the main, in BIOS: Config -> Serial ATA -> SATA Controller Mode Option : "Compatibility"

Profit

Clear installation Win7, disk cloning by Acronis - all goes fine

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

and, the main, in BIOS: Config -> Serial ATA -> SATA Controller Mode Option : "Compatibility"

I don't understand why you'd have the controller in the "compatibility" mode if you're running a SSD...

[Ojushminald]

and, the main, in BIOS: Config -> Serial ATA -> SATA Controller Mode Option : "Compatibility"

I don't understand why you'd have the controller in the "compatibility" mode if you're running a SSD...

In ACHI mode the disk don't work. Write errors during installation and/or cloning
The is no noticeable problems with speed in compatibility mode, nor in tests nor in real work

[ajkula66]

In ACHI mode the disk don't work. Write errors during installation and/or cloning

If it were me, that SSD would've been returned pronto. There's no reason for errors of any kind in the ACHI mode.

The is no noticeable problems with speed in compatibility mode, nor in tests nor in real work

Do you have TRIM enabled?

[Ojushminald]

ajkula66, have you read the topic?
There is only one post that Toshiba 256Gb SSD THNSFC256GAMJ works in x301, others that it not - at all.
My test whows the possible reason and the way to use current disk revisions in x301.

TRIM is enabled and working

[ajkula66]

ajkula66, have you read the topic?

I most certainly have. A loss of attitude on your end would be appreciated as well.

There is only one post that Toshiba 256Gb SSD THNSFC256GAMJ works in x301, others that it not - at all.
My test whows the possible reason and the way to use current disk revisions in x301.

Incorrect.

91011, BobA and sinartus have all reported these drives as working in their systems.

TRIM is enabled and working

That's good to hear. Enjoy.

[xyz]

I have a toshiba Thnsfc256gamj working fine in a x301

[torveja]

Hope that someone follows this chain.

I have the following setup:
- 2776-LFG X-301 with SAMSUNG MMCQE28G8MUP-0VA 128 GB SSD drive;

And this has worked like charm, even the OEM installed XP pro SP3 ( with some housekeeping, naturally ).

However, the April 8 DEADline for XP looming in horizon, it looks like time a good time to upgrade to Windows 7 professional ( or ultimate or ... ). Despite having to do clean install and trouble of trying to find Office 2003 ( instead of the current Office 2007 - yes, I would like to downgrade in order to be able to open older office files without special tricks or using my T41 or T60 first to search and open those older files ).

Seems like it will take 20 gigs from the precious disk space so maybe this is the time to upgrade the ssd, too.

After having read this and some other forums about this, it looks like most bang for buck would be from this:
1. Crucial CT240M500SSD3 interne SSD 240GB (256MB Cache, SATA, MLC 20nm)
2. Adapter - the one from Alaretec (?) mentioned here is out of stock at Amazon so was wondering if this would fit instead: Syba mSATA SSD to 2.5-Inch SATA Adapter (SY-ADA40050)

Or - would anyone have an extra fitting SSD ( > 240 GB capacity ) and Windows 7 ( or even Vista installed ) with some life in it ?

...and since I have only 2 GB RAM in one slot, I could also fill the other slot with 2... 4 GB RAM - any recommendations here?

[automobus]

2. Adapter - the one from Alaretec (?) mentioned here is out of stock at Amazon

Aleratec did not reply to my mail. Not even a automated response. Neither did Koutech nor CablesOnline. I suspect Aleratec Part # 250245 is a relabelled rebranded Lycom ST-170m. http://www.lycom.com.tw/ST-170m.htm

I want to reward Scan for their honesty, for they sell Lycom parts directly to the public, without lying about origin. Scan Code LN45725 is Lycom ST-170m. Consider writing to Scan, to ask about international purhase.



Other sources of what appears to be Lycom ST-170m include:

Addonics ADMS18SA (Amazon USA ASIN: B009SJSN7Q ; UPC: 605242971783)
Koutech IO-ASS112 (Amazon USA ASIN: B00ATTPNDG)
CablesOnline part number: MK-SS12 (but it is not in their own site, they do sell it in eBay and Amazon marketplace)

[haritak]

This is just to confirm that :
SAMSUNG MMCRE28G (1.8 SSD 128GB) is working ok in X301 model 2776C1G (under linux mint 3.13.0-24-generic 64bit).
X301 was bought from ebay without the HDD.
SAMSUNG was borrowed from a t410s.

[haritak]

Updating:
I received a Crucial 120GB M500 6Gbps msata model: CT120M500SSD3
which I placed inside a DeLOCK converter for micro sata 16pin to mSATA full size.

The converter is this one.

The disk is this one

Currently I am installing linux mint on a btrfs filesystem, watching carefully for suspicious messages in the console.

Seems like everything is working perfectly well, just like the samsung disk above.

I'm not sure if this adapter has any impact on disk performance, but I doubt it.

[RealBlackStuff]

I put a new 80GB Intel 310 mSATA SSD in a similar 2.5" adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/301238986869
My adapter also included a cover.
This is for my travel-companion X200s, which had a 'regular' 2.5" 32GB Patriot Torqx2 SSD.
Booting jumped from about 45 seconds to about 20 seconds and
battery life jumped from about 3.5 hours to almost 5 hours, just by replacing this drive!

[Hierax_ca]

I just successfully upgraded my x301 (4057-WXP, BIOS 3.16 2012-10-26) using:
- an Aleratec mSATA SSD to 1.8" SATA Drive Converter with Frame and
- a Crucial MX200 250GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive - CT250MX200SSD3

[ajkula66]

- a Crucial MX200 250GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive - CT250MX200SSD3

I'm *very* interested in hearing how you like this drive once you've used it for a while, presuming it's less-than-half-filled and therefore running in the "pseudo SLC" mode...

[Hierax_ca]

I'll see how it goes, it was the affordable choice at the time I was shopping around for one to try, and I am running this system pretty light.

I also have one that I believe is better: a 512gb M550 (CT512M550SSD3), but it's currently in my x220t, but if I can find another great deal on one of those I'd go that way, originally I hoped to get another one of those but haven't found the right price twice, yet...

The 1.8" SSD drives are just so expensive, it seemed worth trying an mSATA option. Is there another mSATA one you'd recommend?

[ajkula66]

I also have one that I believe is better: a 512gb M550 (CT512M550SSD3)

I'm not sure whether it's really better - or what "better" in the given set of circumstances actually means - which may be very different depending on the user themselves. Personally, I'm itching to test Micron C600 - which is the OEM version of MX200 - because of that "pseudo SLC" approach.

The 1.8" SSD drives are just so expensive, it seemed worth trying an mSATA option. Is there another mSATA one you'd recommend?

Agreed, in my last X301 I had a mSATA version of Micron C400 - aka Crucial M4 - with an adapter and was very pleased with it, but these have been out of production for a while now. I also liked the Plextor M6M mSATA that was in my T420.

Obviously, YMMV.

[johnmcdonnell]

I recently ran benchmarks on a couple mSATA drives in my x301 (2776-32U, SU9600 CPU, BIOS 3.16) with an Aleratec mSATA SSD to 1.8" SATA Drive Converter.

Samsung 128GB PM851 (MZMTE128HMGR-000D1)


Plextor 128GB PX-128M5M (3C03110034)


Surprised at how much better the write performance is with the Plextor.

UserBenchmark.com has an excellent ranking of mSATA drives here: http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Comparison

[Temetka]

Bumping this old thread to report in.

I picked up a very nice X301 in great condition from forum member RealBlackStuff. He was kind enough to include an adapter to allow me to use mSATA SSD's in the HDD slot. I went to Fry's electronics and picked up a 250GB Samsung 850EVO mSATA SSD. I then installed Windows 10 Enterprise on the machine with zero issues.

Everything is working great and I am loving this laptop.

[Hierax_ca]

Successfully upgraded my x301 to a 500gb mSATA Crucial MX200 (CT500MX200SSD3) today using an Aleratec mSATA SSD to 1.8" SATA Drive Converter (#250245). That about maxes out the storage on my x301 (yes, I know that there is a Samsung 1tb mSATA but I keep hearing bad things about Samsung's SSDs reliability, that and they are way too expensive for me!). ajkula66, I wanted to test out a 512gb M600 but, unfortunately, I haven't found an M600 bigger than a 128gb for a decent price, yet... (the old 250gb MX200 was working just fine and I hadn't noticed any slow-down, I just wanted more storage)

P.S., I'm happily and smoothly running Linux Lite 2.8 on it (https://www.linuxliteos.com/download.html) using around 300mb of the 8gb of RAM!