Don’t Replace an Old Computer, Put an SSD In It

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.howtogeek.com/832799/dont-replace-an-old-computer-put-an-ssd-in-it/

If you have the itch to upgrade an older desktop computer or splash some cash to buy a brand new laptop to get better performance, you really should start with this cheap upgrade.

You Don’t Need a New PC, You Need a Fast Drive

Don’t get us wrong: If you want to play current AAA game titles on ultra, play around with machine learning or AI artwork engines, or other such demanding applications, it’s quite possible you do, in fact, need new hardware—and certainly a lot more of it than just a simple drive upgrade.

But for the vast majority of people still using computers with mechanical hard drives, an inexpensive upgrade from a mechanical hard drive (HDD) to a solid state drive (SSD) is as good as getting a brand-new computer.

Because for people who use their computers to browse the web, watch streaming video, write reports for work (or sit through Zoom call after Zoom call), and so on, it’s rarely the processor or other hardware holding them back. It’s the read/write speed of the hard drive.

The hard drive bottleneck is what makes your computer feel sluggish while booting, loading apps, saving files, and so on. You don’t need a current-generation i9 processor to get a fast boot or snappy file loads. You need a fast drive.

We really can’t overstate how much life an SSD upgrade breathes into an old machine. Back in 2015, we had a mechanical hard drive failure in a 2013-era Dell Inspiron laptop. We took that opportunity to write a tutorial showing you how to swap the slow mechanical hard drive in your laptop for an SSD.

And you know what? As of this article in September of 2022, that laptop still gets used, albeit not as frequently, for general tasks like web browsing, editing, and so on—because a snappy hard drive is so much more useful for day-to-day basic computer use than a blazing-fast processor.

Older laptops, by the way, are a prime candidate for this kind of project because mechanical laptop drives are typically lower RPM drives (like 5400RPM) to save energy and extend battery life. That’s great and all, but it’s a huge performance hit. Swapping to an SSD will not only improve your battery life but supercharge drive performance in the process.

Don’t Replace an Old Computer, Put an SSD In It

If you have the itch to upgrade an older desktop computer or splash some cash to buy a brand new laptop to get better performance, you really should start with this cheap upgrade.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[brambedkar59]

Great advice
Going from HDD to SSD might be the biggest performance jump anyone can experience while using PCs.

 

[Pixel_]

Great advice
Going from HDD to SSD might be the biggest performance jump anyone can experience while using PCs.

I agree.

 

[BigWrench]

Great advice
Going from HDD to SSD might be the biggest performance jump anyone can experience while using PCs.

ABSOLUTELY AGREE

 

[Minimalist]

Just did that a month ago for 2 laptops and owners are happy. Cheaper than buying new laptop.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Exactly what I did a couple years ago, new HDD and video card in my desktop. 11 years old now and running smooth as butter, 15 seconds or so to boot and no issues, I try to keep installed programs to a minimum.

 

[show-Zi]

SSD is addicting comfort once you use it. As for the lifespan, it seems that there is no problem as long as it is not extremely abused.

 

[plat]

Plus, SSDs tend to last longer than HDDs as there are no moving parts. Of course, how much longer (if at all) depends on various factors, like amt. of read/write, drive quality, etc.

 

[Venustus]

Great article,thanks for the share @Gandalf_The_Grey

 

[cruelsister]

The reverse switch is also valid. I had a laptop (Dell) which I absolutely hated. Wiped and removed its SSD (recycled all else) and installed it in the Desktop as another data drive. SSD's are indeed the Cat's Meow.

 

[ErzCrz]

Still won't make my laptop Win11 compatible but a interesting idea

 

[cruelsister]

Did you attempt an install via Rufus? The recent versions of Rufus have requirement bypass options built in and can be installed over Win10 without the loss of any pre-existing data (super easy).

 

[ErzCrz]

Did you attempt an install via Rufus? The recent versions of Rufus have requirement bypass options built in and can be installed over Win10 without the loss of any pre-existing data (super easy).

Nice one. Not thought of going that route, might give it a go at some point. Thanks

 

[CyberTech]

True True

 

[Malleable]

I like to put Samsung Pros in my computers (work and personal) as both main and storage drives because of their speed and lab tests years ago indicating (at that time) absurd reliability*. The replaced OEM M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs go into a *insert name brand here* USB 3.2 Type-C Tool-Free Enclosure . It's a relatively small, well made aluminum enclosure that not only works great as an external storage drive speedwise but affords me a technologically savvy look when friends drop by. The case does come with a short cable though but at 2.85 ounces I've never had a problem just letting them hang.
*It's just a habit. I haven't had a need to stay on top of this for almost 2 years now which is eons in the computing world.

​

 

[ebocious]

Agreed. A computer is only as fast as its slowest component. And a mechanical drive cannot compete with flash memory.

A few months ago, I somehow got contacted by two different people one day apart, each wanting to upgrade an AIO system (how many people actually have AIO computers?!) from HDD to SSD.

So, I spent two days checking schematics online, prying open back panels, and cloning and swapping drives. One of the units had a 3.5” HDD, I didn’t have a mounting bracket, and the screw holes in the mount didn’t line up with those in the SSD. So I used duct tape.

The computers were taking almost two minutes to boot Windows 10. Upgrading to SSD cut that down to about 30 seconds or so. Not lightning, but at least usable.