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    VGN-Z550N/B - change the standard HDD to SSD

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by aponow, Apr 8, 2011.

  1. aponow

    aponow Notebook Guru

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    Hello,
    After over two years of using this great piece of hardware I damaged my disk (please don't ask about the details...). I would like to replace it with SSD one. And here come my questions.

    1. Could you please tell me which type of SSD will fit my Vaio?

    2. I've red that it would be very good to buy a disk with TRIM function to avoid the performance decrease in the future. How can I recognize such disk?

    3. Is there a disassembly guide written for Vaio Z (not the old Z1 that I've already found on this forum)?

    4. Is the disk change procedure hard?

    Please excuse me for not searching whole forum, but I'm currently forced to use my mobile's browser (which is a pain)!

    Thanks in advance
     
    aponow, Apr 8, 2011
    #1
  2. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    1) 2.5"

    2) Read description from the SSD manufacturer

    3) Here

    4) Not really, the hardest part is to take off the keyboard
     
    Metsn, Apr 9, 2011
    #2
  3. aponow

    aponow Notebook Guru

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    Thank you kind sir!
     
    aponow, Apr 9, 2011
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  4. aponow

    aponow Notebook Guru

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    I just disassembled my Vaio. The original HDD is Hitachi HTS542525K9SA00 (250GB) and it's SATA 1.5 Gb/sec, 5400 rpm. Can I change it to other disk with SATA 3.0 Gb/sec, 7200 rpm? Will it be compatible? Will it improve the performance? Because I just realized that I can't afford SSD...
     
    aponow, Apr 10, 2011
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  5. pakman134

    pakman134 Notebook Guru

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    Yep, it will down clock automatically if the controller can't handle it. You should experience a slight performance improvement by upgrading from a 5400rpm to 7200rpm drive.
     
    pakman134, Apr 10, 2011
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  6. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    You'll just have to check, if that HDD has the same dimensions as your old disk. Otherwise you'll probably notice a small improvement in speed, depends on HDD. Most probably you'll also notice bigger noise, vibrations and less battery life though.
     
    Metsn, Apr 10, 2011
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  7. aponow

    aponow Notebook Guru

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    So I bought WD Scorpio Black 500 GB 7200rpm 16MB (WD5000BEKT) but it vibrates like hell :|
    I'm depressed... Do you have maybe any idea how to decrease the vibrations?
     
    aponow, Apr 13, 2011
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  8. arth1

    arth1 a҉r҉t҉h

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    Make sure you use all screws and tighten them when putting it in?

    Seriously, the Scorpio Blacks aren't bad at all. They run a tad hotter than average, but if anything, I'd call it more quiet than the 7200 RPM Toshiba drive that my Z came with.
     
    arth1, Apr 13, 2011
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  9. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    I couldn't stand 7200 rpm drive in my Z, that's why I exchanged it for a SSD less than a month after I bought it...
     
    Metsn, Apr 13, 2011
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  10. aponow

    aponow Notebook Guru

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    Screws are ok... :(


    Yea, now I regret...
     
    aponow, Apr 14, 2011
    #10