Change laptop's HDD with a faster one

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  1. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 64 vir
       #1

    Change laptop's HDD with a faster one


    Hello guys,

    I have a laptop that is approximately two years old. It contains 1 TB Samsung HDD ST1000LM024, 8 MB, 5400 rpm. The OS is windows 10. Now I have recently got a new WD 500 GB WD5000LPCX laptop drive with 16 MB Cache.
    Now I winder if it is maybe a good idea to replace the HDD in my laptop and to put WD inside because it has a bigger cache memory and to put Samsung drive in a case and to use it as external HDD.
    I wonder of the performance would be noticeable better with newer WD HDD.

    WD HDD is a bit tinner (7 mm) but that is OK since I'd put a bit or rubber in the HDD's case in the laptop.

    Before I do this (make image of a system partition and similar) I wonder whether it's worth it.

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,371
    W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
       #2

    I doubt you would notice any speed difference although it might test faster. If you really want to see a performance difference, swap out that 1TB spinner for a 250 or 500GB SSD. An SSD costs more but will be significantly faster.

    If you wish to stick with a spinner, I would look for a 7200rpm drive instead of another 5400rpm.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 64 vir
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello strollin,

    I also doubt that I would notice big difference. That is why I asked the question here. Some benchmark test program would probably show few numbers of a higher performance, but this wouldn't be noticeable when working on the laptop.

    In the future I'll probably invest in SSD drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #4

    You don't need a big SSD. You can use a 120G SSD for Windows and programs and a HDD for data. To install the HDD into the laptop, replace the CD/DVD drive by a HDD holder. Search Newegg and Amazon for it.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 64 vir
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you for that suggestion. I also consider putting ssd drive in addition to hdd. I have found the examples where people used macrium free software to migrate OS to new Ssd drive. One thing that I was not able to find is whether it is possible to migrate recovery partition also. My current lapop has recovery partition and I wonder if it also possible to migrate to new ssd drive.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #6

    The reason a 5400 rpm hard drive is use in a laptop, is because they produce less heat than a 7200 hard drive. Laptops are very poor at dissipating heat.

    A ssd would solve the heat problem and the speed problem.

    If you would use Macrium Reflect you can image/clone all partition from your hard drive to your ssd.

    You can use the paid for or free edition.
    Their are many online videos explaining how to use Macrium Reflect.

    Macrium Software | Your image is everything


    Jack
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 64 vir
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hello Layback Bear,
    I'm afraid but it is not possible to image/clone all partition because HDD is much bigger in capacity than SSD. That is why I want to clone only system and recovery partition
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    askic said:
    Thank you for that suggestion. I also consider putting ssd drive in addition to hdd. I have found the examples where people used macrium free software to migrate OS to new Ssd drive. One thing that I was not able to find is whether it is possible to migrate recovery partition also. My current lapop has recovery partition and I wonder if it also possible to migrate to new ssd drive.
    I have used Macrium Reflect to migrate the recovery partition in both of the notebooks I have in service.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #9

    askic said:
    Hello Layback Bear,
    I'm afraid but it is not possible to image/clone all partition because HDD is much bigger in capacity than SSD. That is why I want to clone only system and recovery partition
    You can select which partitions you want to clone when using Macrium Reflect as long as they will fit on the destination drive. Keep in mind that, when using the default settings, Macrium reflect will only clone the sectors that actually have something in them, sometimes making it possible to clone from a larger partition to a smaller one.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #10

    As Lady has mentioned, using Macrium Reflect, you can resize the partition on the target disk.
    What I have seen so far is that the recovery partition is useless on a disk (HDD or SSD) that is smaller than the original disk. The recovery program will format the C: drive and try to install the image on the formatted space. If the available space is smaller than the original, it will give you an error, regardless of data size on the image. This is also true if you make a Recovery disk and try to install it on a smaller drive.

    Is your disk a UEFI -GPT or Legacy-MBR? Did it came with Win 10? Can you give us all the Laptop specs?
    If you're able to install a second HDD on the laptop, this is what I would do.

    - With the existing HDD, make a Factory Recover disk on a USB flash disk (16G?). Remember that you can always do a clean install on a computer that once had Win 10. You won't need a key.
    - Clone the existing HDD (1T) to the new one (500G), without the Recovery partition and Tools partition, leaving on the UEFi and/or System partition and C:. Put the original HDD in a safe place.
    - Boot from the new HDD. Delete all your data on it.
    - Clone the HDD (without data) to the 120G SSD.
    - Boot from the SSD and format the HDD drive and assign to it D:.
    - Use Kari tutorial to move C:\Users (SSD) to D:\Users. User Profiles - Relocate to another Partition or Disk
    - Put the original disk into a USB case and copy all your data to D:\Users"Name"
    - Use the free space of the original disk on the USB case to make backups.

    You will have:
    - A 120G SSD with windows and programs (very fast and cheap).
    - A 500G HDD for data.
    - The original disk, totally functional, on the USB case to make backups.
    - A Recover USB flash disk.

    I have already done this procedure on a friend's laptop and can guide you if you decide to go with this option.
    Last edited by Megahertz07; 27 Jul 2017 at 15:15.
      My Computers


 
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