Installing an Intel 320 series SSD in a T420s...

[alexap]

FWIW, last week I assisted a client with a T420s purchase. We went for the top of the line, but non-Optimus model, with the i5 2.6GHz cpu (model 4171-53U). The 128GB SSD wasn't large enough so we popped in the 300GB Intel 320 SSD.

This machine runs incredibly fast and quiet. We avoided the Optimus model due ot the possible heat/noise issues, lower battery life and 90w AC adapter requirement - all other models come with the 65w AC adapter.

Also, the T420s looks and feels like the T410s and T400s. Nice design, but probably not as rugged as a T60, that's for sure. Of course it is 1 lb. less.

We skipped the X220 and X1 due to the pathetic LCD resolution of 1366 x 768 (HD, but the same 768 as in XGA!) The client was coming from a 5 year old 14" T43p with the SXGA+ 1400 x 1050 LCD. He's happy so far! That Pentium M 780m 2.26GHz T43p ran hot and loud for five years. The mobo was replaced at least 3 times, thanks to the upgraded 5 year warranty.

actually i was thinking about same T420s, i5 and intel 320
was it difficult to install SSD? i read some instruction that have to open it and remove cover etc..
thanks!

[underclocker]

actually i was thinking about same T420s, i5 and intel 320
was it difficult to install SSD? i read some instruction that have to open it and remove cover etc..
thanks!

That is a great question! The issue with the T420s is that it only accepts 2.5" 7mm thick SATA drives. (This is sort of an upgrade from the T400s/T410s which used 1.8" drives.) At this point there are a couple of 7mm mechanical drives avaialble form Hitachi and Seagate, but only Intel offers 2.5" 7mm drives larger than 128GB at this time (I believe).

The Intel 320 series drives actually come as 9.5mm thick drives since they include a plastic spacer that permits them to be used with the more typical 9.5mm drive bays. The plastic spacer is secured with four screws and can be removed. HOWEVER, the screws are TOO LONG for just the adjusted 7mm thickness and SCREWS ARE DEFINITELY REQUIRED since the cover of the SSD is secured in place with the spacer and screws. Without the screws, the SSD top cover just FALLS OFF and YOUR LOOKING AT THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVE - JUST A BUNCH OF EXPOSED MEMORY CHIPS!!! Quite shocking at first, since you'd never open a mechanial hard drive unless it was already dead or you wanted it dead!

Bottom line, you have to obtain four shorter screws on your own, since they do not come with the SSD - even the most expensive retail kit does not include short screws.

Solution / tip: M2 x 4mm screws are the perfect fit to secure the SSD top cover when removing the spacer and turning a 9.5mm drive into a 7mm drive. I actually used the four screws of that size that were previously used to secure a ThinkPad T40 palmrest to the base.

[alexap]

thanks a lot for this guide


do you know if Intel 510 SSD will be the same 7mm ones spacer removed, i cant decide which one to buy 320 or 510
thanks!

[underclocker]

No, apparently the Intel 510 series is fixed at 9.5mm.

Intel's info --> http://www.intel.com/design/flash/nand/ ... erview.htm

Recent info from another forum member regarding 7mm drive options --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=96529