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    SSD Cache option for X220?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by seiyafan, Dec 2, 2012.

  1. seiyafan

    seiyafan Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a X220 with a HDD, is there a way increase the storage performance without a clean-up of the system? In other words I will keep the existing HDD, add a mSATA SSD and use it as a cache via some software, is there such a thing?
     
    seiyafan, Dec 2, 2012
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  2. Kilt

    Kilt Notebook Geek

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    On some new build Thinkpads, Lenovo offers an mSATA cache option, which works with a 16gb mSATA card in the WWAN slot. I don't know if you can install the software aftermarket.

    See a description of the ExpressCache software plus a video HERE

    THIS is a service bulletin that says Lenovo uses the ExpressCache software. It also gives links to download the software.
     
    Kilt, Dec 2, 2012
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  3. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    Try it and find out. :)
     
    lead_org, Dec 2, 2012
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  4. seiyafan

    seiyafan Notebook Evangelist

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    Has anyone done it on a machine that didn't came with ExpressCache installed? Just want to make sure that it won't mess up the current data on HDD.

    Also does ExpressCache support mSata SSD larger than 32GB?
     
    seiyafan, Dec 3, 2012
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  5. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    Save an image of the whole thing.

    Above 32GB, the idea of "file cache" becomes irrelevant. If you can afford a 64GB/80GB/128GB mSATA SSD, make it your boot/OS/programs drive. You can move frequently used documents there, too.

    Having said all that, I strongly recommend you get a decent mSATA SSD as boot drive and forget about cache.
     
    Kaso, Dec 3, 2012
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  6. Kilt

    Kilt Notebook Geek

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    The Lenovo service bulletin suggests Lenovo has only used ExpressCache on 16 and 32mb mSATA.

    In THIS THREAD, the last poster, DAF, says he successfully installed ExpressCache on a 32mb mSATA on an E420 using the service bulletin procedure.

    On the CTO T530 that I have on order, I included the 16mb mSATA ExpressCache feature, which turned out to be $30 after the discount. Having decided against a large SSD implementation for my primary boot drive, mainly for cost reasons, I figured this was a minimal amount of money to spend to get what seems to be a documented performance increase when using a HD as your primary boot drive.

    If in the future I can afford a large SSD drive, I will revisit the idea of implementing it as my primary drive. I'm not sure what use the mSATA card would be after that. Maybe it can be used as a small storage drive if the ExpressCache software is removed, but I don't have the technical knowledge to venture an opinion.
     
    Kilt, Dec 3, 2012
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