2 Intel X18 Raid 0 Possible on Z1390?

{updated} Hi I have 2 Intel X18 160G SSD(1.8'), which I would like to furnish the Z13 I just bought. I am not sure if the connector type is micro SATA (or mini sata?), or like the Z11, will I be able to install 2 Intel X18's on the Z13 without tampering the DVD drive?

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks very much in advance.

 

microsata, and I can tell you first hand 2 x18's will work. You "may" have to order a new ribbon cable if yours is ZIF and not microsata, but I believe everything after Z11 had switched to microsata. You will have to rip the X18m boards out of their housing though.

 

Hi there,
Thanks so much for the info? I disassembled the Z11 before but am yet to receive the Z13. I am just wondering, are there 2 micro-sata connectors in Z13, so that we can install 2 X18's?
Thanks
Kevin

 

2 micro sata's or zif's...probably microsatas.

 

You can tell which by going into the intel storage utility. If the drives are samsung, it's microsata...if they are toshiba, then they're zif and you'll need to order a cable.

 

it is weird since the Z1 I have uses samsung SSDs but they do use ZIF instead of micro SATA,

any thoughts?

 

just a side question, mSATA stand for micro sata or mini sata?

 

I think you switched that Beaups? Aren't the Samsung drives using ZIF those came with Z11's and the Z12/Z13's used Toshiba drives (mSATA)?

look at this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/511578-how-replace-ssd-vaio-vpcz11-vpcz12-non-sony-ssd.html

 

Just curious, what capacity are the X18? Are you bumping up your total storage space, because doesn't your Z13 come with at least 128GB already?

 

great, I appreciate your input, thanks.

But is it really mSATA? I am still thinking about micro SATA and mini SATA. there is a difference right, which is termed mSATA?

 

hi there I have 2 X18 160G

 

You're right, my bad.

If you have Samsung drives, they are likely ZIF. If Toshiba, Likely mSATA.

 

I don't know for sure, but if you have NO dual-SSD in a Z12/Z13, you must have ZIF, right? I mean, if you have mSATA, that means you can only have one standard SATA port on your drive. Z's ZIF sockets are proprietary as well in order to cram two SATA interfaces into one ZIF socket.

My interpretation of things I have seen so far. Can any 256GB Z12/Z13 owner confirm having Samsung drives or ZIF sockets (if already opened the Laptop)?

 

^there are only 2 cables available. One with ZIF connectors and one with 2 mSATA connectors. Samsung rigs used the ZIF, Toshiba used mSATA. Regardless of the RAID configuration (all Z's use at least 2 drive RAID).

 

My claim more means that if you have a triple or quad SSD setup, you do have ZIF drives because at least one module holds two logical SSDs (one per side) thus needs two SATA channels on one cable. mSATA only provides power and signal lines for ONE drive.

That being said, my claim is there are NO non-samsung triple or quad raids.
I'm pretty sure it must be this way.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...o-vpcz11-vpcz12-non-sony-ssd.html#post6618682

 

Hi Beaup, great to get your input, any thoughts on the size of the space? Do I need to dismantle the 2 X18's to fit in the space?

I guess there are 2 micro SATA slots in Z13 for the 2 X18s?

Best,
Kevin

 

Are you sure that microsata does not support port multiplication? I believe it does, and thus triple and quad raid setups would work just fine with the 2 connections.

 

Yes you'll need to tear the drives apart, and then you can fit (barely) the two bare x18's in there.

 

thanks for the input again.

It is my hope that 1. the connector type is micro SATA, 2. the 2 X18s can fit in. I bought the vaio Z13 with only 64G *2, that is a bit too small for me


not sure how I can sell off the 2 64gs though, after I do the mod

 

They will fit once you remove them from the casings. Probably nothing you can do with the old ssd's, just hang on to them in case you sell the machine or need to send it in for service.

 

right, I cannot imagine anyone would want to purchase those - ssds without casing/warranty.

that is truly a waste of money. I might be interested in selling them at $128 (1 dollar per gig) if anyone wants.

 

Since you only have 128gb it won't be useful to anyone with a Z (because all Z's start with at least 128gb). Since they are Microsata though, maybe you could fetch a few $$ for them, but I doubt it.

 

hi kevin.

could u give me a hint on how fast it would be compared to the toshiba in raid 0 setup?

like a crystaldiskmark?

or any kinda of benchmark?

 

Hi there, I am yet to accomplish that (maybe next Monday or TUesday), definitely I can post here when I am done.

Now I am still learning from biggies - Beaups and several other senior laptop "players".

 

It took me half an hour to figure out how to rip apart the X18, now I have 2 bare X18 now.

Waiting on the Z13 to come next Monday.

By the way, will the 2 bare drives stack on each other when placed in the Z13? anyway to keep them apart to avoid over heating?

 

SSDs don't really heat up so I don't think you have to worry about that.

 

when you open up your Z, you'll see how the Toshiba drives are stacked, so just do that. They should be fine, but if you're scared, you can always make a little electrical tape pouch for them .

 

thanks for the suggestion. I guess what you mean is to have a layer of electrical tape between the two ssds to separate them?

Thanks
Kevin

 

Thanks,
I suppose they are like memories? - which do heat up, right I have not really looked into the heating issue
Kevin

 

Yep, essentially. It should be a tight fit that you don't need to secure them w/ tape, etc. just place them where the old drives are (right under where the touchpad is) and you should be fine. Good luck! Looking forward to the benchmarks (although i'd advise against RAID0, I'd take TRIM over the speed bonus)

 

^ I actually just put a sheet of paper between the drives. Really unnecessary, as the chips themselves act as standoffs (no metal parts from the drives can contact one another).

 

What you think about possibility to mount one ssd on existing bracket in VAIO Z. I worry about it will be dangle inside notebook without any fixes

 

there is not a lot of room in there for it to move around. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

You can't use the bracket. And cowboy is right, they can't go anywhere.

 

Thanks.
Has anyone tried to update crucial fw after bios hack and IDE mode available?

 

that is great

 

I always have this concern with my thinkpads

installing an HDD on the optics Bay is not that reliable

 

^NO aftermarket ssd's will fit on the original bracket, only the sony SSD's. Their SSD's are smaller than 1.8"

 

but you said ripping up the case will do the work and fit in right?

 

Yes but you can't use the bracket that the Sony SSD's are in. You'll understand better once you get in there.

 

thanks Beaups for the follow-up

I will know better tomorrow Hope to get your advice if I cannot get it in there

Kevin

 

I'll be here

 

you are really SUPER.

 

any update?

 

update: I did install 2 X18s and it fits just fine.

read is about 330m/s; write is about 200m/s
I am really not in the mood to post more diskmarks since I feel very bad now

spend a lot of money on a refurb, just before sony launched the 20% sale, and got a lemon product - advertised as FHD but no FHD.

Besides, I spent 5 hours this afternoon doing remote technical control examination - the technician and his boss are both idiots, who do not even know that Z13 have the option to have 1920*1080; they keep arguing that such model does not exist, the 1920*1080 is really for external display's max resolution

hope I am dealing with IBM instead of sony

 

by the way the WEI for the hard drive is 7.9, in case you need to know

this raid is super fast

 

I will be waiting Intel 320 1,8"....)

 

yeah.. that is worth the time

 

^according to your signature you have them already?

 

that is correct