Dell Inspiron 7520 SE. MSATA, SSD.

Question

Hi, I'm looking to speed up my laptop but I'm confused about the different drives or accessories to buy, whats is the difference between an SSD and Msata and what is faster or better to use? How do I buy one? which one do I buy? Cause there's so many out there. And how do i install it and configure it?

DELL-Rajath N · Accepted Answer

Hi Angus.Wrightson,

SSD and mSATA are solid state storage devices and the difference is in the form factor as shown in the picture below:

Desktop Hard Drive/SSD for laptop/mSATA card

mSATA card is used along with the hard drive on the laptop to cache frequently used data and operating system files to improve the system performance. It has to be configured using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application and the capacity supported by Inspiron 7520 SE is 32GB. SSD's are of the same form factor as hard drives and can be used as a direct replacement of the conventional hard drives. The capacity and the prices of the SSD's are higher than mSATA cards.

You can purchase a 120GB SSD drive from the following link and use it in place of the hard drive for optimum system performance:
http://dell.to/18IrKAj

Download the Owner's Manual from the following link for instructions to replace the hard drive:
http://dell.to/12riKNe

Please let me know if you need further information or assistance.

Angus.Wrightson · Answer

So if I use the ssd, do I have to take out my 1tb HDD, and survive on only 120gb or can I have both?

Angus.Wrightson · Answer

And where is a link to buy mSATA

Robin3 · Answer

Hang on while I just Google that for you... search.dell.com/results.aspx

DELL-Rajath N · Answer

Hi Angus.Wrightson,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, you need to remove the 1TB hard drive to use the SSD. You can purchase a mSATA drive from the following link:
http://dell.to/12rDzrU

Please let me know if you need further information.

Angus.Wrightson · Answer

I think I've got my eye set on the mSATA

ejn63 · Answer

There's another option that will provide equivalent performance without the need to install and configure a separate ssd. There are hybrid SSHDs out that provide both the SSD and hard drive in one unit.

www.seagate.com/.../laptop-solid-state-hybrid-drive

Angus.Wrightson · Answer

Thanks so much for your help, one more question though is there a set of instructions on how to install the mSATA, and once it's installed how do I configure it?

ejn63 · Answer

You'll then need something like this www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

Angus.Wrightson · Answer

So I'm wondering if there is a port to actually connect the mSATA to and if there is how do I install it

ejn63 · Answer

The link to the owner's manual is in the first reply above, as is the answer to the question.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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