Upgrade advice needed for Series 7 Ultratouch.

Hi

What is the maximum SSD and RAM that my Series 7 Ultratouch notebook can handle?

I have just bought a Samsung Series 7 Ultra Notebook (13.3" screen) - model NP740U3E-S04UK, which comes with 128GB SSD and 6GB of RAM.
(URL: NP740U3E - OVERVIEW | SUPPORT | SAMSUNG UK)

The problem is that 128GB is *way* too small for any serious use, and for some reason the idiots at Samsung only sell that size in the UK (despite selling 256GB in places like Germany).


A) Upgrading the SSD

How can I find out for sure what the maximum size of SSD is that my laptop can handle?

I tried speaking to Samsung here in the UK, but they told me I had to speak to one of their Authorised Service Centres. So I have been in contact with ValuTech but the trouble is that they claim that although a 512GB SSD would physically fit, Samsung themselves "seemed a bit vague" about whether the mainboard would be able to "scan" (i.e. address) the entire 512GB.

e.g. The Samsung 512GB SSD reviewed here is getting a rave review from an independent company called MythLogic in Michigan, USA, who say that as a drive it works better that the 256GB version.
Samsung PM841 512GB mSATA SSD Review - Performance and Capacity in a Client SSD | The SSD Review

I am tempted to fit the 512GB myself, but if I do so I will violate my warranty from Samsung (!)


B) Upgrading the RAM

Also, I would like to increase the RAM from 6GB to whatever the maximum permitted is, and again ValuTech seemed to think that it couldnt be increased. But are they correct?
I have seen it written that this laptop can handle 10GB or even 16GB - but who is correct and how can I be sure?

Basically I want to install the best and fastest components for my laptop because I shall be working it hard.
Samsung seem to be very good at making hardware, but their after sales is diabolical. Here I am trying to throw more money at Samsung an it's like they just don't want to know !

- Any thoughts?

J

 

1. SSD:
The Samsung PM841 is currently the highest capacity mSATA SSD that is available (but hard to find because it is not officially in the retail chain). You can get it from Germany. It's a good performer - I have one in my current NP900X4C (bought in India with much better than the UK specs) and you don't need to worry about compatibility as long as it is mSATA.

The alternative, and much less expensive, SSD is the still-awaited 480GB Crucial m500 mSATA. It actually has the same capacity as the Samsung but some of the memory is set aside at the system level for easier garbage collection and wear management. It was first listed on Amazon UK on 15 April but has yet to come into stock. You can phone Crucial UK to find out the latest story about availability.

2. RAM:
You computer comes with 2GB RAM soldered on board and 4GB in the single RAM slot. You can replace the 4GB by an 8GB module to get 10GB. Do you actually need more than 6GB? Check the RAM usage in Task Manager with everything running.

The Best Buy version of this notebook with the Intel graphics has two RAM slots and is upgradable to 16GB. Other versions are limited by how much RAM was soldered on the board.

John

 

1. SSD:
a) How can I convince the Authorised Service Centre that the 512GB will work? They are muttering about
i) that much of the SSD may not be addressable and
ii) that they do not having a Windows 8 Pro 'image' (!)

b) How would I keep the Samsung Warranty?
i.e. If I get the Samsung PM841 from Germany do you think I should be able to get an Authorised Service Centre to install the darned thing and still keep my warranty?


2) RAM:
a) The model I have bought is NP740U3E-S04UK and (presumably) it's too late to get one from somewhere else. The Best Buy version sounds like something for the USA, no?
b) If I am slightly unclear about RAM usage. My Windows 7 x64 PC at work almost never uses its full 4GB of RAM. However my PC at home (with same O/S) has 8GB and again although it seldom uses 100% if often goes above 4GB and either way it is definitely much faster than my 4GB PC at work. So my working assumption is that more RAM is better even though it may seem that not all of it is being used. And for this reason I am keen to install as much RAM as my laptop can handle.

 

A. Samsung discourage people from going inside their computers presumably in case something gets damaged. However, provided you are sufficiently competent to open the computer and swap the parts without causing any damage then you don't need to worry about the warranty. There are no seals and keep any parts that you take out so you can restore the computer to the as-supplied condition before calling for warranty service (if needed). Some of us have been there without problems.

B. The SSD will be addressable. If my X4C can handle 512GB then so can your U3E. In fact, the limit is much higher. It's just that if Samsung haven't officially tried 512GB with that model then they won't be officially sure that it will work. Which reminds me of the days when they shipped computers with 2GB RAM and kept telling us that more wouldn't work, when it would (and did).

C:. You can use Samsung Recovery Solution to create a complete bootable image on a 32GB flash drive. You can then use it to install Windows on your new SSD. See this thread.

D. Best Buy is a big USA electronics retailer than has some exclusive Samsung models (and probably shifts larger quantities than some countries. If you think that more RAM may help then do the swap while the computer is open.

John

 

John - thanks so much for your input

I remain rather confused about Samsung's naming conventions. If I am correct, they seem to have a range of sizes of SSD called "840", and then the (better/faster?) range called "PM841" - that was very well reviewed by MythLogic in Michigan, USA. Do you know how much difference there is between the two types of SSD in practice?

Also that link you posted for 512GB of SSD in Germany http://www.notebook.de... it doesn't actually say "PM841" anywhere on the page, plus the photo seems wrong. Simply put it only has 3 black blobs (2 large and one small), whereas the on the http://www.thessdreview.com/ site, there are four black blobs, in fact almost the entire board is covered with black (i.e. presumably silicon chips). Do you think notebook.de has put the incorrect photo up?

P.S. Strangely enough the model number MZMTD512HAGL does seem to be correct (i.e. a Samsung PM841 512GB SSD)
For example here: http://www.excaliberpc.com
or here: http://www.ebay.co.uk
Btw, is there any good reason NOT to buy one from eBay? e.g. The seller in question "Expcestore" is selling it for from the US presumably for just US $449.00 (c. £283.94).
The thing is that apparently I get a 3 year warranty from Samsung but (technically) I will lose this is if I install an SSD myself... but if I can get a Samsung Authorised Service Centre to do it for me hopefully I will keep my 3 year warranty.

Btw I must admit that it is extremely tempting to install it myself, however reading that thread I dont really know enough about partitioning etc so I would be better off getting someone else to do it!

 

UPDATE:
Fwiw, I bought that 512GB SSD and I got a Samsung approved service supplier (or whatever they call them) called Digicare in the UK Midlands to install it for me. That way I keep the 3 year warranty from Samsung. The good news is that it work perfectly so far, despite the grave doubts from a different supplier near Swindon.

I'm now wondering about increasing the RAM. I notice it regularly uses 5GB of RAM... It's not clear whether 32Bit applications would use it though.

 

I hope that SSD upgrade didn't cost more than the computer. It seems that the service people near Swindon don't understand the hardware fundamentals and probably just read Samsung's specs. I would expect an SSD of any capacity up to the SATA specification limit to work.

If you are regularly using 5GB of the 6GB RAM then more is advisable. However, check if you are running IntelliMemory. If you are, uninstall it and see how that affects performance (no change) and RAM usage (reduced). That may save you the fun of changing the RAM. Otherwise you have to swap the SODIMM for something bigger. 32 bit programs won't individually use the whole RAM but cumulatively they can, with the overall memory management handled by the 64 bit Windows.

John