How to replace the SSD in Vaio VPCZ11 and VPCZ12 with non-Sony SSD

Originally the instructions only applied to the VPCZ12 but beaups ( Add reputation points to beaups here ) found the mSATA cable from Z12 which can be used in the VPCZ11.
mSATA cable for Z11: part number #A1781464A , order for $55 here ( https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-part-number-A1781464A.aspx )
These instructions to replace the SSD apply to VPCZ11 , Z12 and Z13.

Warning: To be able to fit the other SSD in the same area as the Toshiba SSD's you need to remove the metal case of the SSD which voids its warranty (except you are able to do it without leaving a trace that it had been opened)!
If you never took a notebook apart consider to ask someone, who already did it, to help you.
I'm not responsible for damage maybe caused by following the replacement procedure.

There is enough space in the VPCZ1 to fit two of most of the 1.8" SSD's with Micro SATA connector in the notebook. There is no space for a 2.5" SSD except you remove the optical drive and put it there.

You need:
- small screw driver PH.1 and PH00 (tip should be magnetized)
- check that your current SSD's/HDD's are connected via micro sata connector (I think other models like Z11 maybe have ZIF/LIF connectors)
- SSD with latest firmware (you can not update the firmware when the SSD is in the notebook because the controller is set to AHCI/RAID and most update utilities work only in ATA/IDE mode but you cannot change the controller mode)
- tape and things to keep the installed SSD in place

Backup your Disk as Disk image with Acronis TrueImage or something similar.

disassemble video that someone took is here: Sony Vaio VPC-Z11 videos

Then you see here how the Toshiba SSD's look in the notebook.

Remove the screw, remove the whole plastic frame with the two Toshiba SSD's and then unplug the connectors.

The plastic frame with the two Toshiba SSD's is too small to fit the Intel SSD or other SSD's on there.



Version with one (Intel) SSD only:
Connect the Intel SSD with the Micro SATA connector and put it on the bottom and move it as far left as possible.


Cover the metal things with a tiny piece of tape, hold the lose cable in place with tape and find something to keep the SSD on the bottom and in place (that when you move the notebook it does not get lose), put the screw in.



Version with two SSD's:
Connect the SSD's with the Micro SATA connectors and put the bottom one on the bottom and move it as far left as possible. Make sure that the two SSD's don't short any contacts on each other. Put something on the right side that the SSD's cannot move side ways. Put the screw in.



Put the notebook back together. Do not tighten the screws too much. After firm comes loose. Restore your backup. Don't change anything on the frame/caddy with the Toshiba/Samsung SSD's and keep it if need to send in your notebook for repair.

Performance:
Here are some benchmarks. 2x Toshiba SSD's (THNS064GG2BNAA with FW AGSA0203) in RAID 0 vs 1x Intel SSD Gen1 (SSDSAMH080G1HP with FW 8820). Keep in mind the two disks in RAID0 should be close to twice as fast as a single drive.

CrystalDiskMark (left the Toshiba's, middle the Intel, right the RealSSD C300):




IOmeter with disk size= 10000000 sectors (5GB), 1Worker, test time 4 minutes (first result the Toshiba's and 2nd the Intel, last and 3rd the RealSSD C300):
tests with 1 Outstanding IO:
64KB sequential read: 289MB/s vs 161MB/s vs 163MB/s
64KB sequential write: 146MB/s vs 50MB/s vs 117MB/s
4KB random read: 12.25MB/s (3136 IOps) vs 8.5MB/s (2177IOps) vs 17MB/s (4355IOps)
4KB random write: 1.2MB/s (310 IOps) vs 15.5MB/s (3969IOps) vs 6.5MB/s (1680IOps)

tests with 32 Outstanding IO's:
64KB sequential read: 288MB/s vs 153MB/s vs 237MB/s
64KB sequential write: 110MB/s vs 57MB/s vs 131MB/s
4KB random read: 29.8MB/s (7630 IOps) vs 17MB/s (4368IOps) vs 139MB/s (35750IOps)
4KB random write: 1.12MB/s (287 IOps) vs 19.4MB/s (4962IOps) vs 31MB/s (7982IOps)

PC Mark Vantage x64 scores:
PC Mark Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 10324
PC Mark Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 10945
HDD Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 24079
HDD Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 27508


Here is a current test of SSD's from Tom's Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-7-ssd-trim,2705.html

 

YOU ARE CRAZILY INSANE WONDERFUL

That's one Hell of an UPGRADE

Kudos Man, You will find this thread go into extreme posts very soon, so please keep an eye on it, since we the POOR, have some questions.

Very Excellent Job btw, very professional too.
Thanks alot!

 

So it would be possible to pack in a 1.8" ssd on the HDD-Version of the Z?

 

You sure the Intel is faster than two ssd's in RAID 0?
Nice pics!

 

With the two Toshiba THNS064GG2BNAA.
I tested the IOpswith IOmeter and at writing 4KB blocks random the throughput collapses after 30s to 40IOps (which is only half of what a normal spinning HDD can do) and I get over a test period of 10min an avaerage of 290IOps. Settings were 20000000 sectors and 100 Outstanding IO with 1 Worker.
I did the same test on a 160GB IntelX25-M Gen1-SSD and the throughput collapses to 1200IOps (+/- 300IOps) after 2min (that is 10 times faster than a normal spinning HDD) and I get an average of 2590IOps over 10min test period.
I did not test the sequential access. I will hook up one of the Toshibas SSD's later on my other computer and test that.

 

Finally!

@ Enny: If you don't have a second X25M, I'll sponsor $20 towards its purchase!

@ fuchstronaut: Since the 1.8" Intel uses a micro-Sata connector and the HDD-version (which is not what's shown in the pictures) uses the normal Sata, it would not be possible (without additional adapters). But, you can use a 2.5" drive in the HDD-version

 

I might be curious how the RAID0 Toshiba's perform vs. an X25-m in overall system performance. Any chance you could run PCMark Vantage x64 (there's a free version). The Toshiba RAID probably has faster large block performance, so it would be interesting to see how it compares.

 

This is great news!

 

Nice. Now all we need is a way to order that micro-sata cable for us Z11 owners....

 

The Free trial version of PCMark Vantage x64 does not show any results. And I doubt it produces any representative disk drive bechmark results.
Micro SATA is 3.3V and SATA is 5V that means the adapter you are looking for needs to convert the 5V from the notebook to 3.3V otherwise you'll fry your SSD.

 

I'm pretty sure PCMark Vantage will give you the overall (system) score, which is ultimately a better measure of how your SSD affects your system performance than a synthetic disk benchmark. Using your normal applications is a mix of random/sequential large/small blocks, so it's hard to tell if your system is actually faster when you're looking specifically at individual transfer rates or IOPS. (i.e. if 4k random write is 50% faster on one drive, but 32k random read/write is 100% faster on the other drive, which one gives the best system performance? You don't know.)

 

I've added a photo with the SSD and tapes and stuff I've used (not very professional but had nothing better handy).
I've also added benchmark results. I could not get the PC Mark Vantage result with the Intel SSD, probably because it crashed/stopped a few times (before it got to the disk test).
The PC Mark score with the Toshiba's is 10377.
The free trial works only one time, so I cannot get the score for the Intel SSD without purchasing the Basic version.

The random disk access performance is more important for OS and programs with many files.

 

can't wait to swap my 128gb raid-0 for a 1.8" intel g3 300gb

 

I did a little research about the Toshiba SSD's. They seem to be the old model and the new model is not really out yet, except in a few notebooks.
Here is an overview about Toshiba's SSD series: Solid State Drives: MLC SSD > Product Guide | Toshiba
And this is what Sony puts in the Vaio Z Latops (the ones with Toshiba SSD, there are some models with Samsung SSD or normal HDD): http://toshiba-sdcard.com.cn/product/ssd/lineup/pdf/hg2-series.pdf

That are the new Toshiba SSD models which are not available yet: TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES SAS INTERFACE SOLID STATE DRIVE FOR SERVERS .

I've read that new Toshiba SSD controller is in the Kingston V+ series but they are still not as fast and reliable as the Intel SSD's. Well while the competition is trying to catch up, Intel is building newer/better SSD's:
Intel's SSD roadmap leaked ? The Register
Intel, Micron deliver highest capacity, smallest NAND flash - Computerworld

 

Guys, I read too many complaints about the Toshiba SSD in the Z12, but Actually I had closely monitored and benchmarked my 128GB Raid-0 and its quite a very good Performer.

Please see attached Bench results.

Just a thought!

 

Nice mod. Just for the record, I would recommend electrical tape.

 

@Willy your work area is smaller than at my tests and you probably have write-back cache enabled on the controller. write-back was disabled during my tests.

 

+1, It's a must-have for future proofing the Z.

 

@random45678 It seem to be a bug or wrong setting that it does not show the PC Mark score. I hope someone in the forums from futuremark can help.
If you are concerned about application performance check this out:
PCMark Vantage Application Test : Spring 2010 Solid State Drive Roundup, Part 2
Benchmark ResultS: Access Time And I/O Performance : Spring 2010 Solid State Drive Roundup, Part 1
They tested also the Toshiba (256Gb model.
The new Crucial RealSSD C300 seems to compete very good with the Intel SSD and with the lower price on Newegg it is an alternative. The tests of the RealSSD on Tom's Hardware were before they released the firmware fix for decreasing performance when using it for a while.

 

Hi, Enny. Thanks a lot for trying the PCMark Vantage benchmarks and posting the links. It looks like random writes are slow on the Toshiba drives, and they're a lot faster on the Intel drives (much better controller). The only weird thing is that the "Overall Score" doesn't appear to be correct - PCMark Vantage Overall doesn't fluctuate by a factor of 100% just by changing the SSD, and the "41716" score is faster than any computer ever benchmarked in the Futuremark ORB results site - which means that these aren't actually PCMark Vantage "Overall" Scores, they're something else (i.e. there's an error). Oh well. I'm happy with the performance, I just wonder if the system would be faster if I upgraded to an Intel drive (or a Vertex 2).

Clearly, if you do a lot of random writes (or have server-level write queues), the Intel is the way to go. But for regular Windows 7 usage, I still don't know.

 

Since you are running a single drive, I assume TRIM can be leveraged on the Intel?

 

Is there really no room for a second Intel 1.8" SSD?

 

There should be room for a second (Intel) 1.8" SSD (I updated my first post). I don't know about TRIM because the Intel I have is a used Gen1 which does not have TRIM.
I'll let you know tomorrow , I'm doing some changes.

 

There is enough space for two 1.8" SSD's . With the RAID 0 broken you can use SMART tools and see if they disks have TRIM but that only means that SMART information is accessible. I don't know if the Intel TRIM tool works because I have no Intel Gen2 SSD. Other SSD's manage TRIM in a different way.

 

which 128gb 1.8 drive did you install along with the x25-m?

 

Damn us Z11 owners really need to figure out how to get ahold of that cable!

 

@Qwaarjet the same one you have It is really smoking fast. Did you install yours where the optical drive is?

@beaups What cable? What connectors do you have in the Z11?

What drives are actually in the Z11 (manufacturer, model)?

 

Yes sir, it's in the ultrabay adapater sitting in the optical drive. Snatched one up right after they dropped into the mid $200's. Replaced a 160gb x25-m g2 which i put in my fiancee's laptop (just bc it had more space since she only has 1 drive).

this is the strange cable connection in our z11's
Imageshack - dsc00920o.jpg - Uploaded by ZoinksM3

pic's from Zoink's
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6050427-post275.html

if we could get the same cable i'd def replace my 128 radi 0 array with a 300gb x25-m g3 or maybe 160gb g3 x 2 in raid 0

 

Z11drives/connectors are either zif or custom, z12 is microsata. Working on a solution for you z11 owners..........

 

Everyone who subscribed to this thread check my first post and here my new primary drive.

 

Where do you see the score of 41716? It is not from me.

I was now able to get the PC Mark Vantage x64 working. Here are the scores:
PC Mark Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 10324
PC Mark Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 10945
HDD Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 24079
HDD Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 27508

 

Very, very interesting reading! Thanks for all the testing and work you did.

 

I always wondered if my speeds of my SSD were at all affected by being utilized in the ODD bay vs where sony put the raid array. I know they're connected via sata but you know, sony is strange sometimes

glad to see my c300 performs on par with yours. As mobytoby said, thanks for your work I finally have reason to regret not waiting for the Z12

 

You're welcome. That is all part of good German thoroughness

Some people (like me) are maybe wondering if there is enough space for a SSD and a normal 1.8" HDD. It looks like only Toshiba still manufactures 1.8" HDD's and they seem to be too thick with 8mm height compared to "naked" SSD with 3-4mm.

 

Not to mention 1.8" hdds are slow, low capacity, and expensive.

 

The Toshiba MK3233GSG with 320GB has only 5400rpm but costs only around $170. The HDD is more for storage than OS and Apps. SSD's with 256GB capacity cost more than $500 and 512GB more than $1200.

 

"only" 170? That's a terrible price for a spinning drive. And it's slow. Doesn't fit the target of high-performance in the Z.

 

There is no point in having fast access on your favorite music and pictures of your last holidays
I would love to have a SSD around 80GB for all kind of programms and Windows, a HDD around 300GB for files and a OD.
Just by now SSDs are too expensive to place all your files on them.
At least for me

 

@beaups Could you please give me $600 then I'll by the 256GB SSD from Crucial to make you (and me) happy

 

^absolutely My only point about the 1.8" HDD is that would be a terrible tradeoff in a performance machine like the Z. I could imagine all the "what were they thinking" threads we'd have if they had done that.

 

And...the part # is A1781464A. $55 cost. Have one in front of me. Haven't tested in my Z11 yet but it's got 2 shiny new micro-sata connectors on it.

 

The Z12 has the space, but does the Z11?

 

^It's the exact same chassis?

 

@beaups where did you get this information?

 

i love you beaups! just ordered one myself

 

I have the cable in front of me. I haven't tried anything yet but I can confirm it's the exact same cable as in the picture you posted for the Z12. That's all I can say.

 

great! So the connector to the mainboard is the same on Z11 and Z12?

 

I haven't gotten that far but I'd be entirely shocked if they did a mainboard revision. We will be finding out soon Actually, if we were to dig around some of the photos on this site (tofuturkey's project) I'm pretty sure we'd be able to tell.

 

look at tofuturkey's z11 pic here : Picasa Web Albums - hephaestus

What'ya think?

 

You have a Z11? Take some pictures with your cable install! I haven't thought about the mSATA cable that it maybe works in a Z11. When I have some time I can take some pictures of my Z12 with the mSATA cable and we can compare and post it.