Laptop SSDs

**Basileos Leandros I** · January 13, 2021, 11:58 AM

TWC Basement dwelle... sorry, techies, (

), I need some help.

I have an ASUS FX503VD and I want to upgrade from the rather horrible SSHD it currently has to a full on top class SSD. Found one from Kingston with a 1TB SSD, perfect for what I need.

However I'm confused about the dimensions. I mean, this is a normal laptop, I guess the sizes of HDDs / SSDs are standardised correct? Can someone explain to me what does an M2 SSD mean and how do I pick the right dimension?

**z3n** · January 13, 2021, 01:28 PM

M2 SSD requires a slot in your motherboard, if you don't know whether your motherboard has a M2 slot then you should get a discrete solution which is seperate from the mobo like this crucial SSD.

https://www.crucial.com/ssd/mx500/ct1000mx500ssd1

**Ishan** · January 14, 2021, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Basileos Leandros I

However I'm confused about the dimensions. I mean, this is a normal laptop, I guess the sizes of HDDs / SSDs are standardised correct? Can someone explain to me what does an M2 SSD mean and how do I pick the right dimension?

Yes as per the ASUS FX503VD manual, M.2 2280 type is supported on your laptop (See chapter 5 - Page 86). Although, you would have to replace the SSHD with form factor 2.5.
This will improve your laptop experience by many miles. M.2 NvMe is the basic must these days. Just make sure you buy Gen 3. Gen 4 is not supported on your laptop's MOBO.

See the teardown video on how you can install it yourself without any hassle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0p3PPlPAXQ

**Basileos Leandros I** · January 14, 2021, 10:47 AM

Ishan, z3n,

Thank you so much for your replies.

I've done some checks & read that part of the manual, I will go for a Kingston 1TB Sata SSD. That way it won't need an M2 card, I'll just pop in the new SSD instead of the SSHD.

P.S.: I knew that video quite well, Ishan, I tried to do a teardown because one of my fans got de-centred. In the end I sent it to the service for a clean & repaste.

**Condottiere 40K** · January 15, 2021, 04:54 PM

I think all current SSDs are default two point five laptop hard drive dimensions, though there are thinner and fatter variants (of laptop hard drives).

**Ishan** · January 16, 2021, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Basileos Leandros I

I've done some checks & read that part of the manual, I will go for a Kingston 1TB Sata SSD. That way it won't need an M2 card, I'll just pop in the new SSD instead of the SSHD.

Yes, that will do just great as well. SSD+SATA ports are still potent in making windows responsive with low boot times.
M.2 ports comes into play when you're using heavy exports or using Adobe applications where lot of huge files require write\speed. Basically when handling 4K videos.

Originally Posted by Condottiere 40K

I think all current SSDs are default two point five laptop hard drive dimensions, though there are thinner and fatter variants (of laptop hard drives).

Yes. The default has been like that even from the times of mechanical drives. Standard 2.5" with 5400 rpm.

**Condottiere 40K** · January 18, 2021, 08:20 AM

SCSI hit ten and I think fifteen kay; SATA 7200.

**Basileos Leandros I** · January 19, 2021, 03:45 AM

https://www.kingston.com/en/ssd/kc60...id-state-drive

There's a 2TB version as well but that's a bit too much price wise. 1TB will be enough.

**AoRun** · January 20, 2021, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by Basileos Leandros I

Ishan, z3n,

Thank you so much for your replies.

I've done some checks & read that part of the manual, I will go for a Kingston 1TB Sata SSD. That way it won't need an M2 card, I'll just pop in the new SSD instead of the SSHD.

P.S.: I knew that video quite well, Ishan, I tried to do a teardown because one of my fans got de-centred. In the end I sent it to the service for a clean & repaste.

Kingston is a great choice mate