Upgrading a T440s w/ 16GB SSD cache TO a 128GB SSD + 4GB more ram

Hi all,

I have a Lenovo thinkpad t440s with the 16GB "SSD." However from my understanding it is not a true SSD in that it only helps the HDD perform better. This really irritates me because I thought I could get the benefits of booting my OS from the SSD, but so far from my reading, I cannot do this.

So, I am wondering, what should I do to be able to boot my OS (win 7 HP) from an aftermarket SSD? Would it be possible to keep the 16GB SSD and the 500GB HDD, and boot from a 128GB SSD added to the third m.2 slot? Would doing this give me both the benefits of a SSD cache boosting the HDD, along with a faster performing setup coming from the 128GB SSD upgrade?

And adding 4GB of ram to the already existing 4GB is a drop in process, correct? Like a desktop? I know a bit about PC's, but nothing about laptops. I can just add the ram and presto?

Also if any of this information has already been covered, I apologize, but I am typing from a tablet and the search function links me to threads, but never to the exact post of the information. Every thread link just puts me at the first post, first page. So I cannot really put into use the 200+ page T440s owner thread. Although I am chugging through it right now.

 

Okay. You can wipe the 16GB cache SSD and have it be a small storage drive.

You just need to create a bootable flash drive with win 7 HP to install it on an aftermarket SSD.
You can add the aftermarket SSD to the third M.2 slot since it is much easier to access than the one under the battery.
With a SSD, you shouldn't give a crap about the 16GB cache drive speeding up the HDD. It doesn't make much of a difference.

Adding 4GB of RAM? Easy. Tilt it in the slot and push down.