Samsung NP900X3A UltraBook

Hey All –

I’ve got an NP900X3A and just replaced the RAM. I used the best I could find which was “CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1866 – Model CMSX8GX3M2A1866C10.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1866 Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M2A1866C10

I wasn’t 100% certain that 1866mhz RAM would work as I couldn’t find any posts to back it up, but after 1 hour, it’s working great so far – and fast!!!

The first day I had the new laptop, I also wiped all of the SSD’s partitions and installed Windows 7 Pro x64.

When purchasing the RAM, I also purchased a new SSD. I bought a OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-240G 2.5″ 6gpbs SATA as I read it was a great buy for the money plus has almost double the capacity. I haven’t installed yet, though.

Here’s my question -
Where is the SSD located in the NP900X3A? When installing the RAM, I didn’t see it nor did I see it in all the tear down pictures I've seen online – yet – I’ve read in the posts above that its a standard 2.5″ size so should easily be able to be replaced.

I would have tried swapping it while I had the laptop apart, but only wanted to do one upgrade at a time as I didn’t even know if the RAM would work. I’m sure I could figure it out as I did the RAM (found this post after installing it) but still would like to know if there’s a guide out there somewhere.

Also - I really don't know what type of SSD came with this factory nor the type of storage controller. I could run benchmarks, but really can't as the SSD has to be a secondary drive to do true ones. I would simply like to compare the existing one with the new one. Does the controller in the NP900X3a even support 6gpbs or just 3gbps?

Does anyone have any info on any of this?

Thanks!

 

from tech republic
different format than what you have bought

 

Otherwise known as mSATA (micro-SATA).

John

 

Yea...

Just found that out today after searching for "Samsung Series 9" instead of just "Samsung NP900X3A." I was able to find the specs of the factory SSD, too.

NP900X3A 128gb SSD Specs
Manf: Samsung
Interface: SATA-II
Size: mSATA
Connector: PCIe
Controller: PM810
Component: 16gb
128gb Model #: MZMPA128HMFU-00000
Taken from: http://www.samsung.com/us/business/oem-solutions/pdfs/PSG2011_web.pdf

I searched all over the web for two things: A 256 mSATA drive and/or if anyone had a method of "fitting" a standard size SATA one in.

So far, the only 256gb drive I've found was on an Engadget post ( Samsung's mSATA PM830 is eight grams of pure SSD -- Engadget) and couldn't find it for sale anywhere. eBay had just one 256gb mSATA SSD for sale, but I don't know anbything about it as far as performance, reliability, and compatibility. ( sansung 1.8" mSATA microsata (thin uSata)256gb ssd for Lenovo X300 X301*Dell XT2 | eBay)

As far as fitting one inside including any adapter cables, I have seen plently of people asking if it's possible in posts, but no proof that it's been done.

Does anyone else know of any more detail or suggestions about the two things above?

Thanks!