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9 July 2021  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Hard drive is important to the computer for data storage. Solid state disk is the currently used hard drive. Compared with the traditional hard drive, it performs powerfully. What are the do’s and don’ts when we upgrade SSD? In this essay, we will answer carefully.



CONTENTS

back up iconPart 1: What is SSD?
back up iconPart 2: How to Upgrade SSD?
back up iconPart 3: How to Transfer System to New SSD?
how to upgrade a ssd

Part 1: What is SSD?

SSD, also known as Solid State Drive, is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently, typically using flash memory, and functioning as secondary storage in the hierarchy of computer storage. It is made of control unit and storage unit. The specification, function, usage and external dimension are similar with the traditional hard drive. Due to these advantages, it has been the main storage device.
After learning about SSD, we will talk about how to upgrade SSD and give you some tips.

Part 2: How to Upgrade SSD?

1. Compatibility

The SSD port is divided into SATA SSD and M.2 SSD. The former port is widely used because it is compatible with many computer models. Now, all computer mainboard is equipped with the SATA 3.0 port.
compare m2 with sata
Theoretically, the transfer bandwidth of the SATA 3.0 port is 6Gbps. That is enough for the 2.5-inch SSD. Besides, the SATA SSD is more cost-effective and cheaper that M.2 NVMe SSD, the advanced type of SSD.
The advantage of the M.2 SSD is the small dimension. The M.2 specification supports NVM Express (NVMe) as the logical device interface for M.2 PCI Express SSDs, in addition to supporting legacy Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) at the logical interface level. (To know more about SSD, you can read this article.)
When you are going to upgrade SSD, you should consider which port is supported by the computer. Some mainboards with the old specification merely support the SATA 3.0 port.
If your mainboard supports M.2 NVMe SSD and the price is acceptable, you will enjoy well experience for fast read-write SSD.

2. Capacity


The SSD capacity can be 8G, 16G, 32G, 40G, 50G, 60G, 64G, 100G, 120G, 128G, 160G, 200G, 240G, 250G, 256G, 512G, and 1TB. Generally, you should consider the large capacity. We suggest that the SSD be over 256 GB. That can be used for a long time for large files.
Take a 128GB SSD as an example. It is known that the latest Windows 10 system is occupied with 20GB. The common applications, such as Office and Photoshop, and the system update patches will use up the SSD capacity soon. It is noted that the SSD performance will be degraded once 75% of the disk is used. Therefore, select a SSD as large as possible.

3. Tools to Upgrade SSD

You should prepare the tools before removing the SSD from the computer.
● Cross screwdriver and screws. They are used to fix the SSD.
● Anti-electrostatic gloves. Put on the gloves to protect yourself from static electricity.

Also, you can click here to get the detailed steps to install SSD in this essay.

how to upgrade ssd with these tools
Before these steps, you should back up the data of the SSD. Renee Becca is here to help you. It can help you transfer the system from the old hard drive to the new SSD. The followings are more details.

Part 3: How to Transfer System to New SSD?

If you want to speed up the system, it is a good choice to transfer the system to the solid state disk. Here are more details.

What is Renee Becca?

Renee Becca is the software specializing in backing up and restoring system/drive data, such as programs, system configuration, emails, photos, videos, documents and bookmarks. With the application of the incremental/differential backup technology, it can save time and disk space. Besides, it can back up partition, disk, folder and clone disk.
Professional Data Backup & Restore Software - Renee Beccadata bacup software Renee Becca

Provides multiple functions like backup, restore, clone, system migration.

Clone all data (including system) in HDD to smaller SSD or larger HDD. Disk could boot PC after clone finished.

Supports to migrate Windows to SSD with a few clicks.

4K alignment will be processed when clone disk, migrate system, restore disk or system.

Backup & restore system/disk/folder. Auto backup plans are available.

Provides functions like backup, restore, clone, system migration.

Clone all data (including system) in HDD to smaller SSD or larger HDD.

Backup & restore system/disk/folder. Auto backup plans are available.

Compatible with: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP / 2008 / 2012(32bit/64bit) / Server 2008

Free TrialFree Trial

5000 people have download and make the disk clone successfully!

2. How to transfer system with Renee Becca?

Here are the steps:
Step 1: Download and install Renee Becca. Then, open the software and select [Clone] – [System Redeploy].
migrate system with renee becca
Step 2: Please select the original disk which saves Windows system and the target disk. Then click [Redeploy] to process the system migration.

Note: You should replace the solid state disk with a larger one. When the data is transferred to the new SSD, all data will be emptied. Please back up data beforehand.

select a destination to redeploy system with renee becca
Step 3: Click on [OK] as the process is finished. Then, you should set the new disk as the first boot order in BIOS and get into the system. Click here to learn about how to change the boot order in BIOS.
Tips Renee Becca can help you clone disk. Also the size of the new disk should be larger than the used space of the disk that is to be cloned.