Help with upgrading my laptop to an SSD and to W8

Kratos Aurion

Member
Member
Messages
52
Location
Loulé, Algarve
Hi guys! First post, and I expect making alot more. Glad to be apart of the community, and I hope not to break any rule.

First of all, here's my laptop's specs (ASUS N53Jq-SX145V):

• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• CPU: Intel i7 740QM (1.73GHz, Turbo2.93G, 6MB)
• Memory: 6GB
• Hard Drive: 640GB
• Screen: 15.6" LED 1366*768
• Chipset: Intel HM55
• Video: NVidia GT425M 1GB VRAM

Anyway, I recently upgraded my laptop's RAM to 8GB so that I could operate better with heavy software like Vegas Pro, CorelDRAW, Illustrator and Photoshop. But recently I just heard that the best upgrade to a laptop would be an SSD. I've only heard of SSD's existence a few months ago, and since then i've been researching about them and everyone says they're so much faster, efficient, reliable and...well, better. So I can't wait to upgrade =D

After alot of research, i've decided to go for Samsung 256GB 2.5-inch SSD 840 Pro since I love Samsung and many reviews said it's one of the best on the market. But I want to ground myself before I do this, i'm a noob when it comes to upgrading laptops so i'm still a little intimidated by it. So here's my questions:

• First of all, how can I know if my laptop's compatible with SSD's? (and with 840 Pro too)
• I've heard that SSD's lifespan decreases the more writes it does. Should I be worried about this?
• Do SSD's require defragmentation at all?
• I wanted to put Windows 8 in my SSD, but I keep hearing 7 is better for it. Is the difference that huge, or is 8 better after all?
• I've heard it's possible to revome the DVD Burner form a laptop and put another SSD/HDD in it's place. So could I put my SSD in my current HDD's place, and put my old HDD on the DVD Burner's place? And if so, would the performance of the SSD make reading the HDD's files faster?

I think that's it for now. When I actually get my very own SSD, i'll probably have alot more questions xD

Thank you for your time.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N53Jq-SX145V
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM, 1.73GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 425M VRAM 1GB
Welcome to EightForums ,Kratos Aurion. It's good to have you.

SSDs run great on just about any OS. You'll have to check your machine's documentation on what's possible and compatible. Please fill out your specs so it's easy for others to help.

Defrag is beyond my knowledge at this point. I plan on purchasing one for my tower. I've read a long thread where some were discussing the pros and cons.

Windows 8 is a great OS. Leaner and more efficient system. I'm sure you'll read otherwise here. :D I suggest to run it on a machine or dual boot for awhile to see if you like it.

Again, welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Welcome to EightForums ,Kratos Aurion. It's good to have you.

SSDs run great on just about any OS. You'll have to check your machine's documentation on what's possible and compatible. Please fill out your specs so it's easy for others to help.

Defrag is beyond my knowledge at this point. I plan on purchasing one for my tower. I've read a long thread where some were discussing the pros and cons.

Windows 8 is a great OS. Leaner and more efficient system. I'm sure you'll read otherwise here. :D I suggest to run it on a machine or dual boot for awhile to see if you like it.

Again, welcome. :)
Thank you for the reply :)

I've added the specs to the main post, shouldn't have just left a link for them. Sorry for that.

And i'm familiar with 8 already, just not as familiar with 7. I've installed on an older laptop I have, and it runs phenomenally. That's the reason I want to put 8 on my laptop so bad, but i've read that 7 was better for SSD's. I doubted that, that's why I came and asked for insight on this.

Thank you for your time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N53Jq-SX145V
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM, 1.73GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 425M VRAM 1GB
Good advice here from HippsieGypsie. SSD's do not need defrag, so don't setup scheduled defrag for the drive. I would replace the existing hard drive with the SSD and put the old HD in an external enclosure and use it to store data/image files, etc... I have run both Win8 and Win7 on SSD's and they both provide a noticeable improvement over hard drives. SSD's run cooler and are silent, which is great! Welcome aboard here!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
Good advice here from HippsieGypsie. SSD's do not need defrag, so don't setup scheduled defrag for the drive. I would replace the existing hard drive with the SSD and put the old HD in an external enclosure and use it to store data/image files, etc... I have run both Win8 and Win7 on SSD's and they both provide a noticeable improvement over hard drives. SSD's run cooler and are silent, which is great!
Thanks for the reply :)

Since i'm a guy who likes to keep up with technology and stuff, I think i'm gonna go for 8 :p

This article says that W8's scheduled defrag for SSD's isn't really defrag, but sending trim hints for the disk =0 This is some amazing shiz from Microsoft, has anyone else proved or tested this? If it is true, I won't disable it.

Can anyone tell me if my laptop is compatible with the SSD i'm planning to get? Please help me on this...
Welcome aboard here!!
Thank you so much =D
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N53Jq-SX145V
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM, 1.73GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 425M VRAM 1GB
The article was referring to Win8 when they mentioned the "special" defrag, so I wonder if Win7 does the same thing? Thanks for the info!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
Thanks for the reply :)

Since i'm a guy who likes to keep up with technology and stuff, I think i'm gonna go for 8 :p

This article says that W8's scheduled defrag for SSD's isn't really defrag, but sending trim hints for the disk =0 This is some amazing shiz from Microsoft, has anyone else proved or tested this? If it is true, I won't disable it.

Can anyone tell me if my laptop is compatible with the SSD i'm planning to get? Please help me on this...

Thanks for the article and info on SSDs, defrag, and trim hints. :) I'm glad to read that you are attempting to try 8.

I'm sorry, but I'm not that technically advanced to know whether or not your planned SSD is compatible with your laptop. Perhaps you could contact Asus to find out? Some other member may answer to your request as well.

Good luck to you with your project.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
The article was referring to Win8 when they mentioned the "special" defrag, so I wonder if Win7 does the same thing? Thanks for the info!!

Windows 7 & 8 both recognize SSD's and use the "trim" function. In Windows 8 it's called "optimize" (under "Drive Tools")
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E520
    CPU
    Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad - 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Whatever Dell put in there...
    Memory
    8 GB Mushkin 800 MHz DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GTX 650 - 2 GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 19" ViewSonic LCD's
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    1 Intel X25-M 120G SSD, 2 WD RE4 2TB HD's
    PSU
    PCPower & Cooling Silencer 500 Watt
    Internet Speed
    100/10 Time Warner Cable
One consideration: Your notebook can use 9.5mm thick drives. The Samsung 840 is a 7mm thick drive. Depending oh how the drive is mounted, there may be an issue with that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
So, i have disabled defrag on my SSD... according to what I'm seeing here, I should enable defrag on the SSD to get the TRIM "optimization"? Correct? Thanks and sorry to hijack the thread!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
So, i have disabled defrag on my SSD... according to what I'm seeing here, I should enable defrag on the SSD to get the TRIM "optimization"? Correct? Thanks and sorry to hijack the thread!

Nope. The functions are separate. Windows 7 will use TRIM automatically, although I'm unsure that you'd get it if you cloned a Windows installation from a spinner onto an SSD.

To check whether TRIM is enabled (stolen from another post):

run (as admin)

fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

If the result is '0' TRIM is enabled.

Oddly enough, it shows Trim as enabled under Win7 X64 on my old (2008) Compaq notebook. It has an AMD CPU and an NVidia chipset; no AHCI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
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