Replacing the M.2 in the new Razer Blade 14

So I was wondering, if I'm replacing the M.2 drive in my laptop right when I get it, is the easiest way to do it by cloning the drive (using another computer) or is there any way to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 straight to the new drive. I won't have any other files on the drive, so cloning seems like a waste, but perhaps I am missing something.

 

You can request a usb drive from Razer containing the install medium for their Windows 8. Cloning doesn't take too long, so if you have the cables/setup for it, then that might be faster than getting a drive from Razer.

Edit: Also, you can just use your own copy of Windows if you have one.

 

Plus you need to get the right M.2 version SSD. M.2 comes in two flavours - SATA (not to be mistaken for mSATA) or PCIE. To the best of my knowledge I think the M.2 on the Razer Blade is SATA so make sure you check.

More info here:
Understanding M.2 NGFF SSD Standardization (Or The Lack Of) | The SSD Review

 

It's actually even more complicated than that: M.2 (NGFF) SSD Compatibility List

I was asking more from the standpoint of once I have a compatible drive (like the crucial m550) what's the best way to go about swapping it in.

 

I'm planning on just dropping it in and installing windows 8.1 fresh. Razer has all the drivers and utilities on their website for the blade 2014. If windows doesn't pick up the key from the BIOS, It's on a sticker on the bottom so it's not a big deal to re-enter it.

 

So you'd throw the stuff from Razer's site on to a USB and boot from there?

 

I have an Windows 8.1 ISO that I've made a bootable thumb drive out of, and yes, I would also put the drivers onto another thumb drive (or the same one once Windows is installed).

 

Ah, OK, there's the rub. I don't have another copy of Windows 8.1. I imagine I could "procure" one, but it seems like it might be a pain.

 

You don't need another copy, you can generally activate a fresh install with the OEM key that came with your laptop (I had a Lenovo Y510P that self-activated because the key was embedded in the bios). You just need a disk or ISO to make a bootable thumb drive out of.

Unless of course you want to image the original drive, which might be easier.

 

Windows 8.1 Tip: Download a Windows 8.1 ISO with a Windows 8 Product Key | Windows 8 content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

This will allow you to download/create a windows 8.1 .ISO [and it is perfectly legal, TYVM, as you will need your 8.1 windows key to access it]

From there you can just install via DVD/USB and use your key to reactivate [may require phone call to their automated system, fairly painless]

 

If I try to download and ISO from Microsoft using the Windows 8.1 Product key given to me by Razer than it tells me the product key can't be used with a retail version of Windows 8.1...

 

I have a crucial m550 m2 coming tomorrow I'll be putting in blade 2014 - will let you know how it goes.

N

 

Sounds good. I had the same drive arrive today (along with my Blade). But the adapter I am using to let me clone the drive is simply not working. Nothing is showing up on the computer. I ordered the only other one I could find which should be getting in tomorrow.

 

What is the one you ordered?


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The one I initially ordered was the ZTC linked in my original post. This is the one I ordered now.

 

I replaced the M.2 drive in my unit tonight with my 512GB M550. I'm actually a little disappointed to see the M550 is a little slower than the stock SSD in some read benchmarks. It's vastly superior in almost all writes, but still disappointing nonetheless. I had no issues USB-boot installing Windows 8.1 onto it. I wish Samsung made an M.2 Evo 840.

 

Well, I guess that's good news for those waiting on their 512GB from Razer. IIRC, that drive had significantly faster (advertised) write times than the 256GB.

But you already had the ISO from somewhere else, right?

 

Yeah, I have a Windows 8.1 disc I used to get the ISO.

Things aren't nearly as snappy as my desktop, like opening programs or the file explorer. I'm not sure if it's SSD related or not. It doesn't really help my desktop is super fast, so I'm not sure if there's any kind of fair comparison. I don't recall if this was a problem before I switched out the drives since I was not paying attention.

 

Weird. Maybe Razer knew what they were doing with the stock drive? What about the random 4K speeds?

 

4k read/write is pretty close between the stock and M550. Read was slightly higher on stock and write is higher on the M550. I doubt this was any better with the stock drive, I just was not paying attention since I was focusing more on the other aspects of the laptop (No reason to look at the performance since I already had a replacement drive for it).

 

The reason I ask is that I can probably last a few months with 256GB (stock) drive. I imagine that by some point the 1TB drives will be coming out, so maybe I should return the M550 and wait for those.

 

Or just keep the 550, use it, and sell it in 6 months or whenever the 1Tb comes out. This will also allow you to wait a couple months after release until the price comes down a tad. They can be super expensive upon first release.

Just an idea.

 

This is my strategy . Or if someone finds that pcie SSDs work like samsungs xp941


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The Samsung xp941 won't work out of the box even if the blade takes a pcie drive since they are not bootable drives... it had been said many many times, for now I would forget about that drive but not the pcie possibility in which Hidevolution said they would test and report, where are you guys!?

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I did not know that Well then, the 512GB M550 will hold me until whenever the next thing comes along Speaking of which, where is my UPS truck

 

Ya, they told me that in an e-mail after I pestered them. But I had to send them pics and links to demonstrate the drive would fit, so I don't know how on top of things they are. I'll probably pester them again soon.

Re the bootability, the new ARock MB reviewed on thessdreview can boot from the XP941; apparently, you need to install support in the BIOS since the drive itself doesn't have it?

 

Confirming your findings . CrystalDiskMark 4K Read for me won't go above 23MB. My 840 EVO hits 37 and the stock 256GB M2 (Samsung PM851 according to label) hit 28MB. I'm not sure whether I want to continue with this or wait for the 512's to ship.

 

I think I might just return my Crucial drive. The second adapter I bought doesn't seem to be working either. It lights up (something the other one didn't) but still no drive appearing on the machine. No idea what's wrong.

 

That's below the review benchmarks of 32 MB/s, but it's due to the C states. If you re-run the benchmark with prime95 going on 2 or 3 threads, it pulls the system out of C6/C7 and benchmarks better. The problem is the stock drive hits 33 mb/s while in low c-states. The M550 is definitely underperforming. I'm still tossing around whether or not I want to keep it, but I'm also doing the same with the laptop. Some things about the screen are bothering me.