Y500: SDD as primary drive, HDD for storage. I'm a bit confused...

Hey i'm new here.
I'm looking to buy a new laptop and it seems like the Y500 is the best value for money at the moment.

I would like to add SSD that will serve as the primary drive(windows, software's, etc) and use the original 1TB HDD as a storage drive.
I'm a bit confused about how to do it,and therefore about which SSD I should get. There are 2 options that come in mind:
1. Keep the 1TB HDD in its original place, and add 128/256 GB mSATA SSD instead of the original 16GB caching mSATA SSD. This will keep the UltraBay available for other hardware.
2. Replace the 1TB HDD with 2.5 SATA III SSD, and place the HDD in the UltraBay slot(using 9.5mm HDD caddy).

Obviously if possible, option #1 is preferable because it will keep the UltraBay available and shouldn't have any drawbacks - but i'm not sure if it is possible to do.
Anyone tried doing option #1? Is it working without any problems(when using then new 128/256 GB mSATA SSD as the boot drive)? Should I buy anything else other than mSATA SSD(screws, caddy, ...)?

Also, if I buy the model of the Y500 that comes without the 16GB caching mSATA SSD, would I still be able to fit in the mSATA SSD I will buy without removing the HDD from it's place?


Thanks.

 

I do not personally know how to change the setup of the mSATA from caching, but I have seen several other forum threads that cover it, so you can google that part.

To answer your next question, I would just buy a regular SATA III drive and get an external HDD caddy ($20), just a simple case connected to a USB, a 256 GB SSD (I recommend Samsung 840 pro).

I would use this route because mSATA drives cost around the same as, if not more than a regular SATA III drive and the mSATA interface's max read/write speed is considerably slower (1.5 Gb/s or 3.0 Gb/s depending on the revision NOT 6 Gb/s) than SATA III (6 Gb/s) and 256 is plenty for just about everyone. If you have a lot of movies or other media files, just stash them on the external, as I doubt that you will need to access them at school/work.

A side note, don't forget to set your new SSD to AHCI mode, otherwise you will wear out the drive much more quickly.

 

I wasn't really asking about how to change the setup of the mSATA from caching to "boot drive" in practice(i.e. software wise).
I was asking if replaceable 128/256 GB mSATA SSD(instead of the original 16GB caching mSATA SSD) can fit physically together with the existing HDD in its original place. This will leave the UltraBay free for additional GPU.
(also, I was asking if I buy a Y500 model without the 16GB mSATA SSD, can I still fit in additional mSATA SSD or is the "construction" of the laptop is different?)

Benchmark wise, the difference between Crucial m4 SATA III and mSATA is VERY small.
Samsung 830/840pro is a better option than the m4, but if I can fit in 128/256 GB mSATA SSD + 1TB HDD + additional GPU(UltraBay) - it's a no brainer compared to 2.5 SSD + 1TB HDD(in the UltraBay slot).

I hope it clarifies more about what I was asking....
Thanks for replying

 

Hi mgxerx,

in fact, yes, it is possible, The construction isn't different to a model with or without a caching 16GB mSata SSD. If you purchased a model with an already installed caching SSD, you can just replace it and install your OS on just that SSD, while keeping the HDD as for storage and also still be able to use the ultrabay for your needs.
So in summary, with the ultrabay hdd in mind, it is possible to run three storage drives in that machine.

Hope things are lightened up...
Cheers

 

Do you have have experience with doing such a thing with the Y500? I just don't want to be surprised

Also, will any mSATA SSD fit in the Y500? I think about this one:
PX-M5M Series


Thanks.

 

Hey there,

yes, that should work as well.
The most recommended mSATA SSD (as for the price) is the Crucial M4 128 or 256GB version (or whatever size works better for you).
However, see the below video, where a Y500 owner did a replacement of the mSATA SSD with a comparison of the different boot up times (Caching SSD vs. SSD (with OS installed)). Take a special note on his description under the video. This should help. I did the nearly same on my own. No issues - if that's a question.



I'll post his instructions (hope that's okay for him):

 

Is the mSATA SSD like the Crucial m4 different from this Samsung 840? Would I be able to put the Samsung 840 in the same slot. Just making sure i'm understanding this correctly... I could replace the 16gb SSD with a full 256gb SSD and use the included 1 TB HD at the same time?

 

Has anyone found a way to replicate the OS in the 1TB hdd onto the ssd?
I don't wanna have to go out and buy another OS when the time comes.

 

ChrisNee1988:
Samsung 840 is a full 2.5 SSD. You can use it but not in the same slot as the mSATA SSD's.
You will have to remove the 1TB HDD and put the Samsung 840 in its place. Then, use a caddy for the HDD to put it in the UltraBay slot. (obviously this will mean that you can not have 2 GPU's).
Take a look at the Plextor M5M: it uses the new Marvell controller, and Plextor are known for high-end firmwares.

omegaultima:
The COA is attached to your BIOS - so you can install win8 on any drive without a problem. See this(mscottie respond):
Y500 SSD - Lenovo Community

 

^that person ended up using a retail disc though. So in conclusion, i still have to buy it then...

 

That person tried to use a complete recovery image in the first place and ended up using a copy of Win8 (clean install).
Just download a copy of Win8 - if your Y500 came with Win8 pre-installed, you don't need a new key. Your key is installed in the BIOS.

SSD = 2.5
mSata SSD = 1.8

 

Do you know if microsoft has downloads for free? Or do i need to look elsewhere?
And i'm assuming a clean install on the original hdd is doable and also recommended?

 

Does anyone know what gen SATA the Y500 has for the 2.5 HD. Is it compatible with the newer SATA Gen3 (6 Gbps)? I tried using hwinfo to look it up. I think it said the SATA Host Controller was Gen3 6Gbps but the Sata Port #0 and #1 were Gen2 3Gbps. I'm not sure if that was cause the ports were connected to Gen2 HDs or if those ports can only go to Gen2 3 Gbps speeds. I assume it should support SATA III but its not very clear anywhere.

 

I think someone on Redflagdeals was whining about it only being SATA2, and that it's so horrible because of that and it's one of the reasons he's returning the laptop. So, likely SATA2

 

Damn Really? Is there any way to confirm it? I'm trying to figure out if i want to buy a msata SSD or SATA 3 SSD. If it can't get SATA 3 speeds, might as well buy the msata SSD

 

[Comp] 14" IdeaPad Y400 Intel Core i7, Nvidia GT650m 2GB, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD + 16GB SSD $740 - Page 13 - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

I don't know if that counts as verification, but he seems to have checked. I don't really know, and the internet doesn't seem to have the answers.

 

Not sure if I can base it all on one person. I found this manual:

http://download.lenovo.com/consumer...y400y500_hmm_1st_edition_sep_2012_english.pdf

look at page 27: Specifications. It lists SATA Gen 1 and Gen 3 so its not very clear at all.

Also based on this post it seems that someone found out that it was compatible with SATA III.

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/IdeaPad-Y-U-V-Z-and-P-series/Y500-SSD/td-p/1001925

I'm hoping someone on these forums have tried to put in a SATA III SSD could confirm max speeds for this laptop.

 

Understandable, he seems to be a grumpy troll anyhow. I don't have an SSD so unfortunately I can't help much more!

 

Here is a screenshot from hwinfo, can anyone tell if this means this is SATA III Compatible?

 

This guy will tell you!

Y500 SATA II or SATA III? - Page 2 - Lenovo Community

 

Ironically, that is me. I'm gonna put in the Samsung 840 Pro tomorrow most likely

 

Hahaha, that's great, I've been monitoring that thread waiting to post it here for you if anything should arise.

Okay, well I can't wait for you to let the world know! If I were to bet, I'd bet it's a SATA III, but I don't gamble.

 

I got the hard drive early!

Its SATA III!

 

Now... does anyone know how to disable express cache on the 16gb msata ssd?

 

I'd assume to just uninstall the Expresscache program from control panel and reformat mSata, and remove it?

 

Maybe I am too late on this, but I can confirm that both the sockets msata and ssd / hdd slot are sata 3. I had both the ssd and msata installed and they are as confirmed, sata III

 

so does anyone know where the best place is to legitimately download a version of windows 8?

just got my Y500 in the mail today. i have a 256gb mSATA SSD from Crucial as well. Am planning on using the SSD as the primary and the 1TB HDD as the storage. Where should i (legitimately) download windows 8? I plan on booting the win 8 ISO from a USB tonight, once I have downloaded the proper windows 8 ISO. thanks in advance!

 

Dunno.. But i called support tech/ and they sent me free windows 8 recovery disk. just placed call today.

 

if i just buy windows 8 (i'm a student, get discount) from here, can i use it as a clean install? Thanks again

 

i see.

if i buy Windows 8 Upgrade from here, can I just use the .ISO(?) that comes with it for a clean install? thanks again!

 

Check out this post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ide...00-owners-questions-thread-3.html#post9010443