SDD in T530: questions

[cicciuzzo]

Hi everybody,

I would like to add a SDD to my T530 but I have a few doubts:
1) will adding a SDD void the warranty?
2) can I add the SDD keeping my hard disk and keeping the DVD/CD-ROM bay (basically, can I use the CD-ROM once the SDD is in place)?
I'm a newbie and would have this done by a technician, but only if this is not going to void the warranty, if I can keep my current hard disk (for my data, the SDD would be for OS & programs) and if I can keep using the DVD/CD-ROM.
3) is there a slot for a third HDD in my laptop and could I use that for an extra HDD?

It's a Lenovo T530 model 2392CTO.

Thanks!

[brchan]

1. No.
2. You can get an msata ssd which will allow you to keep your main HDD bay and dvd bay.
3. Maximum of 2 full size hdd/ssd, by having one in the main bay, and another in the ultrabay (where your dvd drive is now) if you have an ultrabay hdd adapter. You can add another storage device by using a msata ssd in the msata slot, for 3 total storage units.

[cicciuzzo]

Thanks a lot brchan, really appreciated, very clear.
Now I have a few new questions:
1) does having the SDD in the ultrabay or in the msata slot create a difference in the performance (or it does not matter where the SDD is put)?
2) would a 250 GB SDD be fine for the OS (Windows 7) and my programs? (at the moment I have them in a 120 GB partition, so I would say so, but I'm planning to have both Windows 7 and Windows 10 installed as dual boot and I'm not sure how much space the SDD should have)
3) I ran the Crucial scanner which gave me a list of SDDs compatible with my system, but what should I check in a msata sdd to pick the best? For example, what's the difference between http://eu.crucial.com/ProductDisplay?di ... reId=10152 and http://eu.crucial.com/ProductDisplay?di ... reId=10152?
4) is there a specific brand you would suggest in alternative to Crucial? Im thinking of Samsung (whose SDDs have a 5 years warranty, for example http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-2-5-Inc ... 30505031_1) or Kingston

[brchan]

1. msata slot runs at SATA II speeds (3Gb/s) vs SATA III speeds (6Gb/s) in main bay. Can't find much info on whether the ultrabay is II or III. Performance difference with a SSD in SATA II vs III slot won't vary too much, since random read (typically < 200 MB/s for good ssd) is used more often than sequential read or write (typically > 300 MB/s for good ssd). A HDD platter drive will have virtually no difference in performance, since it can't nearly saturate the bandwidth.
2. Depends on how much you are going to store on the drive, but 250 GB seems fine. I don't see Windows 10 using too much more space. Just remember to leave at least 10% of the drive empty, or you might run into performance and accelerated wear issues.
3. The first link is the msata one, which is what you would use to put in the msata slot. The other is the full size version that is designed to fit in a standard HDD compartment. Crucial's site lists them as having identical read and write performance.
4. I would also recommend Samsung's pro line SSDs. The 850 pro 128GB drive, which I use in my T61 is blazingly fast and comes with a 10 year warranty. It offers some of the best performance/value ratio for $100. Evo drives have some reliability problems, especially in some thinkpads ATM, so I would avoid those. I have no experience with Kingston drives, so maybe someone else can chime in.

[cicciuzzo]

Again, many thanks brchan for your answers and for sharing your expertise. If I lived close to you I would be glad to pay you to install the SSD but I live in Ireland.
So far, I have decided to go for an extra 256 GB SSD to install in the mSata slot, while keeping my current HDD.
I checked the Samsung Pro line, and it sounds great with the 10 yrs of warranty and in terms of performance. The only problem is that I can't find a Samsung Pro SSD with mSata as form factor.
The only 2 mSata SSDs I found are EVO models: the 850 EVO (http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memo ... Z-M5E250BW) and the 840 EVO (http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memo ... Z-MTE1T0BW).
And you do not recommend the EVO!
Am I missing it or it simply does not exist a mSata PRO? Did you use yours in the ultrabay or to replace the HDD?
Is there any kind of adapter I could use to be able to install a SATA SDD on the mSata slot or the SATA SDD is simply too big to fit?

Alternatively, if I install the SDD in the place of the HDD, and move the HDD to the ultrabay, is there any kind of caddy that would allow to quickly take out the HDD and use the usual bay for reading DVDs if needed?

[cicciuzzo]

Hi, just to let readers know: I contacted Samsung and the PRO line is not mSata compatible.
I opted for the mSata 250 GB 850 EVO.
I had it installed, the installation was not smooth but all the issues were solved and everything works so fast now, the performance difference is huge.
I didn't experience any problems with this SDD so far, hopefully there will be no reliability issues.
Thanks again brchan!

[Temetka]

With regards to the 840 EVO line of SSD's some people had an issue where old files would take longer to read.

That being said, I and many others I know have installed the 250GB EVO in their Thinkpads and the only issue they have is that the computer is now faster than they are. Mine works great in my T410. Best drive I have ever purchased.