Lenovo Thinkpad X220 SSD Upgrade and Fresh Install

I know, I know. This question has probably been discussed multiple times, but I couldn't find a thread that answers my specific questions.

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad X220 on the way and will also be ordering a Crucial RealSSD C300 (with the spacer mod).

First, does anyone have simple yet comprehensive instructions on how exactly to upgrade the hard drive and the RAM on the X220?

Second, I have heard rumors that Lenovo took efforts to develop tweaks to maximize the performance of the X220 within the factory install and that with a fresh install, those tweaks will be gone, leading to a performance hit. How would you recommend I install the SSD and reinstalling Windows without taking a performance hit?

Thank you,
Leon

 

X220 HMM.

edit: ...or watch the videos: X220 Service Videos

 

Thanks ZaZ! Those links are quite helpful.

I guess my first question has been answered. Now, on to the second.

Apparently, directly imaging the original drive onto the SSD causes misalignment, which is bad to the long term health of the SSD. Can anyone corroborate this?

 

I used the spindled drive that came with the X220 to create Recovery disks and then took it out, installed the SSD drive and installed the OS from the Recovery disks. This lets the SSD drive determine how to store the OS more optimally, I figured, as opposed to imaging the original drive that would have been stored more optimally for the head/platter layout of the original spindle drive.

Hope this helps.

 

Yes it can depending on the imaging software you use. If you're using older versions of ghost you need to make a "Partition to image" of the original system image, put the new SSD drive in, manually create partitions and then load the image using "Partition from image". But ... if your system image has two partitions what I just told you won't work ... catch 22. This is useful info if making your own images, however. Newer versions of ghost32 might work but I have not tested them yet.

 

I've been using Acronis True Image 2011 and and seems to get the alignment right. So it should, given that Intel offer a customised version of it for cloning onto their SSDs.

John

 

I did a clean install to a mSATA yesterday.

Have your network drivers ready (Wireless or Wired), because Windows 7 (SP1) doesn't provide it.

I really had no huge issues, just debating on whether or not I should install the Power Manager.

You may have an issue with the Fingerprint software if you go pure UEFI (like I did), see this if you want to get it to work:
Fingerprint reader is not compatible with UEFI - L... - Lenovo Community

I haven't installed any of Lenovo's RapidBoot or other performance oriented software.

My bootup is fast...