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20 June 2019  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
If you know something about computer, you should have heard SSD. Comparing with traditional HDD, SSD improves the performance, which can enhance the computer performance greatly. Although the price of SSD is higher than traditional HDD, more and more users are using SSD as the price of SSD is dropping. What changes SSD will bring to us? Follow us for more.



Part 1: Get More about SSD
◆1. What is SSD
◆2. The Advantages of SSD
Part 2: How to Choose a Suitable SSD
◆1. Introduction of Common SSD Specification
◆2. How to Choose SSD from SATA SSD and M.2 NVMe SSD?
◆3. Recommendation of SSD
◆4. Is SSHD a Good Choice?
Part 3: How to Install SSD for Personal Computer
◆1. Install SSD for Desktop
◆2. Install SSD for Laptop
◆3. Install M.2 SSD
Part 4: How to Install System for Newly Replaced SSD
◆1. Choose MBR or GPT when partitioning the SSD
◆2. Transfer Original System to Newly Installed SSD
◆3. Microsoft Installation Media
Part 5: Maintenance of SSD
◆1. Do not Process Disk Defragmentation
◆2. Turn off Search Function
◆3. Leave Free Space
◆4. Save Large File to Mechanical Disk

Part 1: Get More about SSD

1. What is SSD

Solid State Drives, shorts of SSD, is a kind of hard disk which makes NAND flash memory as storage media. Combined with controller and storage cell, SSD is similar to traditional hard disk on usage and interface. However, the data transmission performance is the tremendous difference. Now, SSD is the mainstream in storage devices.
how to install ssd for the computer

2. The Advantages of SSD

So, how fast can the SSD reach? Here, we take the most commonly used SATA 3.0 SSD as an example. The reading speed of such SSD can reach 500MB/S while the writing speed can exceed 400MB/S. Even though it is the entry-level SSD, the data transmission speed is 5 times or more than the traditional HDD.
M.2NVMe SSDSATA3.0SSDTraditional HDD
Reading speedOver 3200MB/s500MB/s or fasterAbout 100MB/s
Writing speed2500MB/s at leastOver 400MB/s50-70MB/s
Start up time of Windows 10About 4~6sAbout 6~8sNeeds 30~50s
Hot Topic - ADsRenee Becca – Safe and Quick System Migration to SSD

Automatic 4K alignment Improves SSD performance during system migration.

Support GPT and MBR Automatically adapt to the suitable partition format.

Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy various files in different file systems.

Back up quickly Back up files at up to 3,000MB/min.

Overall backup schedule Support system redeployment/system backup/partition backup/disk backup/disk clone.

Automatic 4K alignment Improve SSD performance

Support GPT and MBR Intelligently adapt to a partition format

Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy files in different file systems

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!

Why shall we replace disk with SSD?

Traditional HDD needs to make lots of mechanical movement which may create noise and heat. In contrast, SSD just needs to get access to flash memory for data instead of searching for data on the tracks of the HDD. So, SSD is quite when working. And SSD will not get heated like HDD, which can lower the temperature of the computer.

Besides, SSD is with a greater durability and data reliability. In HDD era, most hard disk errors were caused by the mechanical failure. HDD is poor in shock resistance. The running platter is easily to get damaged if we used in an unstable environment and lead to data lost. However, SSD does not have such movement parts, the storage media – NAND is fixed and does not need any electrical machinery. So, impact will not lead to SSD failure.

how to install new ssd for the computer

What is more important is that replacing SSD can save users’ time. After SSD replacement for the computer, the startup, software loading, operation on PC and even frequently operation will be faster, which can improve the users’ working efficiency and save time.

Part 2: How to Choose a Suitable SSD

1. Introduction of Common SSD Specification

According to the types of SSD interface, SSD could be divided into two main types: SATA SSD and M.2 SSD. Here, we will introduce these two SSD for you.

compare m2 with sata

SATA  SSD

SSD with SATA interface is popular now. The greatest strength of SATA interface lies on the high compatibility and popularity. Now, most motherboards support SATA 3.0 interface and provide SATA 3.0 connector.

The theoretical transmission brand width of SATA 3.0 interface is 6Gbps, which is enough for general 2.5 inch SSD. However, M.2 NVME SSD with better transmission speed could be found in SSD market, SATA SSD, taking the advantages of better compatibility and lower price, is still the mainstream product.

power supply and interface of sata ssd

M.2  SSD

Being one of the most popular hard disk interfaces, M.2 interface has the greatest strength, that is tiny size. What should be paid attention is the protocols differences. One is using ahci protocol and the data will be transmitted with SATA. And the other is supports NVMe protocol and using PCIe×4 as data channel.

PortocolNVMeAHCI
Data ChannelPCIePCIeSATA 6Gb/s
Maximum reading performance>3000MB/s>2000MB/sAbout 500MB/s
Maximum writing performance>2000MB/s>1500MB/s450-500MB/s

NVMe

NVME is a new transport protocol which was specially designed for flash memory in SSD. Comparing with traditional AHCI, NVME is more compatible with SSD. This protocol can improve the transfer speed to over 32Gbps and lower the latency. So, if the motherboard supports M.2 connector, it is recommended to purchase SSD with NVMe protocol.

how to install nvme ssd

2. How to Choose SSD from SATA SSD and M.2 NVMe SSD?

How to choose from SATA SSD or M.2 NVMe SSD when purchasing a new SSD? The most important factor is the connector that your computer motherboard supports. Although new released motherboards provide M.2 connector which support NVMe protocol, most of traditional motherboards only equip with SATA 3.0 connector.

So, if the motherboard of your computer only gets the SATA 3.0 connector, purchasing the SATA SSD is the only choice. However, if the motherboard supports M.2 NVMe, M.2 NVME SSD is a good choice if the price of it is within your budget. M.2 NVMe SSD could provide a better performance than SATA SSD.

Demonstration of SATA Connector

(Please choose a connector which is marked with SATA3 6GB when connecting the SSD to computer)

demonstration of ssd interface

Demonstration of M.2 Connector

NVME is a new transport protocol which was specially designed for flash memory in SSD. Comparing with traditional AHCI, NVME is more compatible with SSD. This protocol can improve the transfer speed to over 32Gbps and lower the latency. So, if the motherboard supports M.2 connector, it is recommended to purchase SSD with NVMe protocol.

demonstration of m2 interface

Tips: M.2 SSD gets 3 different standards, they are 2280, 2260 and 2242. So, please refer to the manual of your motherboard or notebook for supported standard before purchasing.
how to install m2 ssd in different standards

3. Recommendation of SSD

SATA SSD: Samsung 860 EVO

Specially designed for personal computer of normal users, Samsung 860 EVO adopts the new generation of Samsung V-NAND technology and a controller with a more stable arithmetic. As a result, this SSD provides better performance and reliable compatibility. With the intelligent TurboWrite technology, the data transmission of 860 EVO could reach 550MB/S and the consecutively writing speed can be 520MB/S. Users can pick the capacity of 860 EVO from 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and even 4TB.

how to instal samsung 860 evo ssd

M.2 NVMe SSD: Samsung 970 EVO

Adopting the latest Phoenix Controller and Intelligent TurboWrite Technolog, Samsung 970 EVO has been optimized the data accessing speed for game and graphics acceleration. The consecutively reading speed of this SSD can reach 3300MB/S while consecutively writing speed can get to 2500MB/S, which is improved 32% when comparing to the last generation SSD. 970 EVO provides 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. Users can choose the SSD capacity according to their needs.

how to install samsung 970 ssd

4. Is SSHD a Good Choice?

SSHD, shorts of Solid State Hybrid Drive, is a kind of disk combines the characteristic of SSD and HDD. There are platters, spindle motor, read/write heads as well as NAND flash memory. Like in SSD, NAND flash memory will save some often used data like system data, software to help users get access to these data as soon as possible. However, SSHD is not a good choice because it can not provide large capacity with lower price like HDD nor read/write performance like SSD.

change ssd for the pc

The following is the comparison result of Desktop SSHD from Seagate and general HDD and SSD from professional storage review website www.storagereview.com.

Seagate Desktop SSHDSSDHDD
Reading SpeedOver 156MB/sOver 500MB/sAbout 100MB/s
Writing SpeedOver 154MB/sOver 400MB/s50-70MB/s
So, it is recommended to install the SSD as system disk and use HDD as data storage disk for computer.

Part 3: How to Install SSD for Personal Computer

Preparation of installing SATA SSD: Phillips screwdriver, anti-Static gloves, SATA cable and IDE to SATA cable (it is necessary if the power supply of the computer does not have SATA cable).
Tools
SATA InterfacePhillips screwdriver anti-Static gloves SATA cable IDE to SATA cable (it is necessary if the power supply of the computer does not have SATA cable) and 2.5″ to 3.5″ SSD hard drive converter
M.2 InterfacePhillips screwdriver anti-Static gloves
screwer preperation
Phillips screwdriver
necessary tool for changing ssd

Anti-static gloves

prepare sata cable for ssd

IDE to SATA cable

sata cable for changing ssd

SATA cable

2.5 to 3.5 SSD Hard Drive Converter

“2.5 to 3.5″ SSD Hard Drive Converter

1. Install SSD for Desktop

① Power off the computer and then remove the side panel of the computer. Please make sure you can get access to the SATA connector and hard disk caddy in computer.

remove the side panel of the computer

② If the SSD is 2.5″ , please place the SSD to 2.5″ to 3.5″ SSD hard drive converter. Then place the SSD hard drive converter to spare caddy then screw it.

change the new ssd to the holder

③ Connect one end of the SATA cable to a spare SATA port on the motherboard (The SATA 6Gbps port is blue.). And connect the SATA power to SSD.

how to connect ssd to the computer and install

[Tutorial about How to Install SSD in Desktop]
install disk in laptop

2. Install SSD for Laptop

① Turn off the computer, unplug the laptop and remove the battery.

shut down the laptop and remove the battery

② Remove the plastic panel and make sure you can access to the hard drive socket.

use a screwer to remove the laptop panel

③  Remove the screws from the original hard drive and then remove the HDD. Then install the SSD. Please make sure the SSD is seated with SATA connector. Finally, put the panel back and screw it.

how to install ssd on laptop

[Tutorial about How to Install SSD in Laptop]
install disk in laptop

3. Install M.2 SSD

M.2 connector is located on motherboard. So, no matter your computer is desktop or laptop, please follow the guidance of SATA SSD installation to find the M.2 connector on motherboard after opening the case of desktop/laptop and finish the M.2 SSD installation.

① Open the case of laptop/desktop. Find the connector of M.2. Unscrew it.

use a screwer to remove the destop panel

② Insert the M.2 SSD and seat it correctly.

completely install m2 ssd

③ Screw the M.2 SSD in place. And put the case back.

use a screwer to remove the destop panel

Part 4: How to Install System for Newly Replaced SSD

1. Choose MBR or GPT when partitioning the SSD

What is MBR and GPT?

Hot Topic - ADsRenee Becca – Safe and Quick System Migration to SSD

Automatic 4K alignment Improves SSD performance during system migration.

Support GPT and MBR Automatically adapt to the suitable partition format.

Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy various files in different file systems.

Back up quickly Back up files at up to 3,000MB/min.

Overall backup schedule Support system redeployment/system backup/partition backup/disk backup/disk clone.

Automatic 4K alignment Improve SSD performance

Support GPT and MBR Intelligently adapt to a partition format

Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy files in different file systems

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!
MBR and GPT are formats of partition table which is for system booting. Uninitialized hard disk must choose the partition table before installing system. Partition table for Windows system is MBR and GPT. Here, we are going to introduce partition table of MBR and GPT.

choose mbr or gptt

Introduction of MBR

MBR, shorts of Master Boot Record, is an old style partition table format. Disk with MBR will use some codes in the sector to boot the system. If such boot information gets damaged, Windows will fail to boot. Besides, since MBR has released for a long time, it cannot handle disk with space over 2TB. Besides, MBR only supports up to 4 primary partitions.

Introduction of GPT

GPT is a newer standard that’s gradually replacing MBR with modern technologies. The biggest advantage of GPT is that it breaks MBR’s limitation that it cannot handle disk space over 2TB. Users are allowed to create nearly unlimited partitions in GPT disk. Besides, GPT save boot data in different places, which makes it to be safer than MBR disk.

How to Choose from MBR or GPT

Being more advanced than MBR, GPT adopts GUID partition table of GUID which matches the trends of modern technology better. Besides, it breaks MBR’s limitation that it can not handle disk with space over 2TB and allows users to create nearly unlimited partitions in GPT disk. What’s more, GPT will save the boot information in different sectors in the disk to make it safer.

Users need to choose from MBR or GPT when installing system to the disk.

Here are some rules for how to choose from MBR and GPT. Please follow them when necessary.

  • It is recommended to choose GPT partition table if you are using a disk over 2TB. This can help you make use of all storage of the hard disk.
  • If the motherboard of your computer is modern model and supports UEFI firmware, choosing GPT is a good choice.
  • If the motherboard of your computer is old and using BIOS, it would be better to choose MBR, because BIOS in your computer may not support GPT partition table.

2. Transfer Original System to Newly Installed SSD

How to Transfer System Perfectly

After initialized the newly installed SSD and set the partition table, users may want to transfer the system in the original disk to the new disk. If so, it is recommended to use professional system backup/migration software – Renee Becca.

Some system migration software cannot perfectly copy the system partition which includes boot information of the system when cloning system. Although it can transfer parts of data, it still cannot realize the real system migration. Users still need to reinstall whole system after transferring data to the new disk.

However, for Renee Becca, it can transfer the system boot information no matter the partition table that users use is MBR or GPT. After that, system in the newly installed hard disk can boot the computer as usual.

Renee Becca– For Data Backup and Recovery

Renee Becca package

  • Perfect system / partition / disk clone to the new disk.
  • Automatic 4K alignment for SSD in system migration.
  • Support MBR/GPT partition style.
  • Support FAT/NTFS file sytem.

download button Renee Becca

What is Renee Becca
Being a professional clone software, Renee Becca also supports transferring system to other disk perfectly besides cloning data in hard disk and partition. What’s more, Renee Becaa is also a reliable data backup software which supports to back and restore for disk, partition and independent file.
How to Migrate System to Newly Installed Disk:
① Launch Renee Becca and click “System Redeploy” function in “Clone”.

select system redeploy function in renee becca

② Please select the original disk which saves Windows system and the target disk. Then click “Redeploy” to process the system migration.

select target disk and desination in system redeploy function in renee becca

③ After clone finish, please selec the new disk in BIOS as the boot disk. Then you can start the computer from the newly installed hard disk with the original system.

change the boot order in hard disk in boot configuration in BIOS

3. Microsoft Installation Media

Users can use “Windows 10 Media Creation Tool” to install Windows for the first time. Create a USB installation disk for Window 10 with this tool and install system on the new disk with this USB. For how to create and use the install disk of Microsoft, please click to here.

download Windows 10 installation media tool

Part 5: Maintenance of SSD

1. Do not Process Disk Defragmentation

Disk Defragmentation is useless for SSD and even will shorten the lifespan of SSD. Disk defragmentation will put the fragments of files together and optimize their location in HDD for faster data searching in HDD as well as wear reduction of HDD. However, SSD does not have platters and can get access to data in seconds. So, disk defragmentation will shorten the lifespan of SSD. In default, Windows 7 and later versions will disable the disk defragmentation function automatically for SSD.

2. Turn off Search Service

If you are using the Search service or any other similar searching tools in Windows, please disable it. There is no need to use such services since the data transmission speed is fast in SSD. Building files indexer and coding index are a time consuming process, and it is not good for SSD as well.
How to Disable Indexing Service:
① Here we take Windows 10 as an example. Please click “Start” and then click “Run” in pop up menu.

select run in windows start menu

② Enter “service.msc” in the pop up window. Click “OK” to run the command.

enter services.msc in run

③ Find and click “Windows Search” item.

find and double click windows search

④ Click “Stop” button and select “Disable” in pull-down menu of startup type.

disable windows search in services

3. Leave Free Space

It is recommended to leave 10% – 20% of SSD capacity to be free, which can help users to improve the arithmetic to reallocate the data in NAND and reduce wear of the disk. As a result to extend the lifespan of the SSD and help users get the best performance of the SSD. If the capacity of the SSD keeps full, the lifespan of the SSD will be greatly reduced as time goes by.

If you want to get more information about the lifespan and the status of the SSD, CrystalDiskInfo could do you a favor. Please click here for detailed steps about how to use CrystalDiskInfo.

how to check the installed ssd in crystal disk info

4. Save Large File to Mechanical Disk

The price of SSD is much higher than that of HDD. Although the price of SSD has dropped down, it is meaningless if users make the SSD to be the file storage disk which may shorten the lifespan of SSD at the same time. If you need to save a lot of data, it is recommended to install a SSD as system disk and make the HDD to be the data storage drive.