Adding a SSD to Z12 series with HDD

If I have a Z12 with the HDD option and no internal DVD drive is it possible to put a SSD in with the HDD as well?

From what i understand the HDD sits in the place of the DVD drive so i figure the space that the SSDs usually sit is empty?

specs:
VPC-Z115
i5(540m)
4gb ram
500gb HDD
GT 330m GPU
No DVD drive (only external)

Thanks for any answers in advance.

 

Yes, yes. You can replace using say the Intel X-25M.

 

^That's not what he asked.

If you want to ADD another ssd in the free space you'll need to order a cable and use 1 or 2 1.8" ssd's. Each of those SSD's will need to be removed from their metal housings. The cable is ~$60.

 

go to this link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/511578-how-replace-ssd-vaio-vpcz11-vpcz12-non-sony-ssd.html

In that thread is the part# for the cable and some other info.

 

That won't keep the HDD because of the cable, OP also needs the caddy that replaces the optical drive.

 

OPP already has a factory unit with a factory hdd in the dvd bay. He needs the cable that us SSD z owners use and he can add ssd's to the ssd bay.

Unless the hdd equipped models use the wrong (ssd) port instead of the dvd port on the system board? Perhaps that's the case?

 

The cable from the motherboard leads either to the SSD space, or the HDD space. The slimline SATA port that optical drives (and non-Sony caddies) use is a separate port. The HDD version of the Z uses the cable that goes from motherboard to HDD / ODD space. Using the solution suggested, that cable will be replaced. Something else such as the newmodus caddy needs to happen.

 

^on stock hdd units (no optical)...does the hdd plug into the ssd spot on the motherboard or the optical spot on the motherboard?

 

Yes, HDD plugs into same spot as SSD:



Yellow rectangle: where the Sony SSDs sit.
Red rectangle: where the HDD/optical drive sit.
Orange arrow: slimline SATA port for optical drive. Also used for aftermarket caddies.
Blue arrow: the motherboard SATA port adapter. Cable shown connects to HDD, if originally coming with Sony SSDs, this cable is replaced by one which goes to the yellow rectangle.

 

Thanks for explaining, too bad they did it that way. So for OP to add ssd's to empty space, he'd have to replace the stock sony caddy with a newmodeus caddy. Otherwise he won't have a port to plug the aftermarket ssd's into. Sound correct?

 

That's right.

 

^That's a real bummer.

 

Not necessarily. One can move the HDD to the ODD port 2 with the right connector (no Caddy) and free up 0&1 for mini SSDs or use ports 3&4 (if they are still there).

 

I believe the non-Sony caddy has that sort of connector inside. I'm also pretty sure the rest of the ports also lead to that same spot on the motherboard. It's definitely do-able, just more effort and $$ needed.

 

How would you get a custom cable that would allow you to do that?

 

Which one are you reffering to?
ODD to HDD would be straight SATA to SATA. And the other one would be the original one used in Z's with SSD.

 

^What are you talking about? These drives take micro sata connectors to a custom zif connector on the motherboard.

 

Nope, not immediately clear. The ODD's slimline SATA doesn't have one of the voltages (3.5 or 5V), and part of the non-Sony caddy's job is to split the power supply to produce the other voltage.

It really is less painful just getting the caddy if OP wants to go this route

 

^I have to agree.

 

Ok; thanks for all the info guys; wanted to see if my choice of HDD is relatively future proofed incase i wanted to add a SSD as well.