List of drives that are compatible with the x220

if the money isn't a problem, do you stand by your suggestion? You must know more about running dual SSDs in one system than me (i know nothing )

 

mSATA is snappy, cheaper, but not as fast as a 2.5" SSD. I'd buy a cheaper Intel SSD to run OS and files and if you need more drive capacity, then add a mSATA drive.

This is my plan and I bought the best SSD on the market (except I am having freezing issues that will require me to modify the Registry; not something to do if you aren't technical and can avoid with the cheaper Intel SSD that have compatibility with what is causing freeze issues with non-Intel SSDs).

Good luck!

 

Duffin, did disabling the LPM help with your freezing issues on the Vertex 3?

 

Haven't done it yet. Planning on doing it this week. The freeze is sometimes consistent (every 30 min for 30 sec) or not at all.

Here is a thread on OCZ forum with details.

 

I received my Renice X3 60GB drive with the Sandforce controller and it is working much better than the MyDigitalSSD that it replaced. When I sent it back I requested to upgrade to the Renice and pay the difference. The performance is normal compared to the single digit 4k writes I was getting with the MyDigitalSSD. Something was definitely wrong with it as I have seen decent results from others using it. If you don't mind 60GB vs 80GB and don't want to wait for the 310 to come in stock, I can highly recommend the Renice.

 

Did you manage to put that 9,3mm thick disk into X220?

from dissasembly pictures it doenst look like there is a spacer to remove.
http://www.storagereview.com/ocz_vertex_3_review_240gb

how did you do it?

 

i have read this thread trough and got the answer myself.

ocz disks are supposed to be 9,3 mm thick (accroding to ocz specifications).
other brands make 9,5mm thick disks.

does this mean that 0,2mm difference makes ocz disks to fit in x220 asuming no rubber/rails used?

 

I currently have the vertex 3 max iops edition 120gb and I can comfirm it fits perfectly into the x220 without any modifications. I'm not sure what all the rest of you are talking about.

 

Have you been able to check temperatures? Curious what a close fit like that will do to temps

 

Wondering if anyone who owns Intel 320s can confirm this -
1. how is the data encryption AES 128bit handled at the low level?
ie do I enter a key at the BIOS, or does it generate one based on fingerprint...?

Currently debating whether I should get a 320 300GB vs an OEM Vertex 3 240GB (newegg.ca going for CAD469).
Not sure about the increased power draw, but the better performance does have its charms. thoughts?

 

I looked in to that sort of thing a bit, a while back... And there doesn't seem to be a consumer grade SSD that actually offers a login prompt of sorts to enable that feature. Just use something like Truecrypt for full disk encryption -- though on an SSD, software-based full-disk encryption will bring not-insignificant performance consequences: for effectively negating TRIM, and that encrypted data is not compressible. And due to the design paradigm of SandForce-based drives, they would probably suffer the most due to their dependence on compressing data. So, something based on another chip would be better, and is why I'm first trying an Intel 310 (I'll be running some tests once I receive what's in my sig).

 

This place claims to have limited inventory of the z5k500. First place I've seen. It's a little steep though.
HITACHI TRAVELSTAR Z5K500 - 500 GB - INTERNAL - 2.5 - SERIAL ATA - 5400 RPM - 8 MB | 0J11285

 

Thanks for sharing. That's only a few dollars more than costcentral.com, and the latter doesn't appear to have it in stock.

 

Apparently not a very reputable store:

ResellerRatings.com

Provantage has completely removed it from their site, so there must be serious supply problems and I doubt we're going to see it anytime soon.

 

vinuneuro, what is it then that you have as your 500GB (based on your sig)? Or is it external...

 

whats the fastest SSD that i can put in this system?

 

Seems to be the OCZ Vertex 3; there are a couple of people that have done it, but documentation seems to state that the drive height is actually 9.3mm and not 7mm.

I'm also leaning towards this OEM version;
Newegg.ca - OCZ Vertex 3 V3LT-25SAT3-240G.oem 2.5" 240GB SATA III - SSD

According to the OCZ forum, this uses a different Toshiba 32nm NAND and results in slightly less performance.
General Discussion Details about the V3LT-25SAT3-240G.oem?

However, for a CAD100 difference, do I care...

 

hey all,

I recently installed an intel 310 40 gb mSATA into my X220T with very little computer knowledge. Following the guides on lenovoservicetraining.com that someone linked was very helpful, so thank you so much! I also followed Larryf's instructions on how to install windows 7 on to the new drive, and downloaded the ISO from the "Legal windows 7 download" links, and burned it to a DVD. It was clear and easy to do, and now I'll have a DVD for Win 7 available.

I'm in the process of updating all the drivers through the ThinkVantage System Update. It's so nice that they can install all that just through that system update. After having manually updated drivers from Dell.com on my old laptop, Lenovo is quite a refreshing change.

This is a pretty dumb question but how do I delete the original Windows 7/Lenovo install from the C: drive? Do I just follow the instructions listed here under "delete an existing partition"? Uninstall Windows 7 on a multiboot system

Finally, is there anything at all that I will be missing from the original factory install? I'll be downloading the fun little Microsoft Touch Pack for games, but other than that, I won't be regretting the partition deletion right? This is my first time customizing so much on a new computer. It's exciting and I've definitely learned a ton from these forums!

 

Oops, I forgot about that. When I received the X220 the Z5K500 was 'imminent." Edited the sig. I don't know whether to order a Z5K320 or Z7K320, or wait for the Z5K500 now.

 

Hmm, Google had them at at least 4.25 stars
Hopefully Hitachi will get their acts together soon...

 

Mine fits perfect.

 

For those of you with the Vertex 3 drives, is there any kind of bulge (even the slightest amount) on the bottom once its installed? I just bought the agility 3 and it fits in (snuggly), but there is a very slight bulge on the bottom and Windows is NOT consistently detecting the drive (appears and disappears from list of drives to install windows on and wont let me select it). I wonder if the Vertex 3 is just slightly different which makes it fit better than the Agility 3. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Duffin, do you mean the OEM version?
if so then I guess I'm ordering that~

thought process -
intel 320's size fits; but it's SATA 2 and its run of the mill performance aren't inspiring, despite the benefits of more space/$, security and power down (saving stuff before power is cut);

intel 510 is sata3 but it definitely needs the top taken off; if it were a broad I'd gladly take it. but again, performance trails behind vertex 3.

 

im guessing this fits too Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ???

 

It will not.

 

OEM fits fine.

 

You are wrong.

 

No bulge here. The OCZ Vertex 3 went in beautifully and snugly. Not sure it can be removed anymore though, since there are a couple of plastic raises in the way now.

Sadly though, this is not a happy story: the freshly installed Windows refuses to boot:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/581522-x220-crash-after-win7-fresh-install-new-ssd.html (solved, read the thread)

 

But a happy ending.

 

Posting that I'm wrong doesn't really help anyone. If you're not going to add anything to the discussion, why post? If I'm wrong how so? Looking at the specs on NewEgg, it's a 9.5mm drive and it didn't seem like there was any spacer mod available, which is why I said it won't work.

 

See my signature for my Vertex3 credentials.

You have also ignored (or did not catch) about 5 posts ( including my own) in this thread saying the OEM OCZ Vertex3 2.5" drive slides in like butter.

Your post that it will "not fit" is highly irresponsible when you are going by a spec sheet and making a claim "it will not" versus real experience. Perhaps edit your post to say, "the spec sheet says 9.5 mm and looks like a no go" or something like that.

Bazinga!

 

only the OEM fits? or the regular one ( Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)) fits as well?

 

As much as I've love to commit every post and every users signature to memory, it's just beyond my ability.

I'd ask if you put the Vertex 3 in there in its case using the caddy and rails? I think that's what the OP is asking and saying it will with mentioning the limitations does them a disservice.

 

OEM and retail are same exterior.

We've posted that you don't use the caddy rails or bumpers.

The problem is the thread owner disappeared and hasn't updated the first page posts.

 

any big difference speed wise between the 120gb and the 240gb?

 

Duffin, do you think you could post a picture or two showing how it fits?

 

For those of you who were also holding out for a Z5K500, see the email below from Hitachi. It almost seems to say that they've stopped making it. W.T.F.

===================================================
from [email protected]
reply-to [email protected]
to [email protected]
date 26 May 2011 09:20
subject Re: Support feedback from: xxxxxx ~117240

hide details 09:20 (2 hours ago)

Hello Customer,

Thank you for contacting Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

It appears that most vendors/distributors no longer carry this type of drive, unfortunately we do not have a "where to buy" list so the only thing you can do is continue searching online to see who still has available stock of that specific drive.

For additional assistance please call us at:
Tel (408) 717 8087 / (888) 426 5214
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST

Thank you,
Hitachi GST Technical Support Center
===================================================

 

To me that reads "I just checked google myself here at Hitachi, and no one seems to be have it. I don't know anything more than this so you're sol." This is a supply chain issue, and the few reps I've talked to had no clue how to find out what's going on.

Provantage and Costcentral both said they have large orders for the Z5K500 that should've been delivered a while ago, but are still unfulfilled. Are these drives made in Japan, maybe the factory is damaged? Or they've discovered a problem; it is the first hdd released with 500gb/platter.

Btw, it's back on Provantage now but still Special Order so dunno what's going on there.

 

I hope so... maybe I read it the wrong way. I understood "...see who still has available stock..." as "whoever has stock has all that's left".

 

+1 pictures would be nice

 

I've ordered mine (the OEM Vertex 3) with NewEgg.CA; once I have it with the new X220, I'll post pics if no one has already done so.

 

The M4 IS compatible, simpler 7mm mod and a little electrical tape :

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 128GB in x220 – modded to 7mm | Vivi The Mage

I am acronis'ing the old drive now, and going use the same image. Unless others have had better luck going from scratch Win7?

 

I will buy a X220 in a few weeks, but I'm still scared which SSD will work - unfortunately I read contradictory posts. So my question: Will this OCZ Vertex 3 ( OCZ Vertex 3 240GB, 2.5", SATA 6Gb/s (VTX3-25SAT3-240G) | Geizhals.at EU) work together with a X220? Are there any modifications required? Thanks in advance!

 

I am trying to install win 7 off a usb drive, BIOS detects my new ssd, but windows does not ... I also tried pre-loading the AHCI drivers (old school), and it still does not detect it, is there something else I need to do?

 

Ask and you shall receive. Pics attached.

When the slot cover is off, the SSD does slide side-to-side about 1mm but after screwing down the slot cover, the SSD is firm in place.

Taking it out will require some cajoling to get it over the little nibs at the mouth of the opening. Not impossible if you are patient.

 

The only thing to worry about is getting this registry edit done that is outlined in the second post.

 

That is interesting. I had the Agility 3 drive which according to OCZ specs is the same size as the Vertex 3. However I was having trouble getting the computer to detect the drive and there was a slight bulge on the bottom of the laptop. There does not appear to be any bulge with the Vertex 3.

 

I tried AHCI mode and Compatibility, still not seeing it in my install...

 

Thank you for your response, Duffin! But I think the OCZ Vertex 3 is 9,5 mm height and the x220 provides only space for 7 mm height SSDs. Does the Vertex 3 fit in fine?

 

Will the 120Gb version of the Vertex 3 (VTX3-25SAT3-120G) also fit in the X220 as the 240Gb version? If I understand correctly, you remove the built in rail so that a 9.3mm SSD will slide in, right?