How to upgrade your hard drive to an SSD
SSDs are noticeably faster than a hard drive
If you're considering upgrading your existing PC, an upgrade that will make a noticeable difference to the performance of your PC is to upgrade your hard drive to an SSD (solid state drive), and then to install your operating system on the new SSD. An SSD can be up to ten times faster than your hard drive and sometimes more, which means faster boot up of your OS and loading of programs installed on an SSD!
Install Linux on the SSD for a faster boot
Regardless of whether you have Windows on your current hard drive, we recommend installing free Linux on the new SSD which will save you money from having to buy a new version of Windows, assuming you have an older version of Windows installed. See how you save with Linux. It's also frankly in our opinion easier and faster to install Linux than Windows!
SSD Upgrade Kit
We have created a simple SSD Upgrade Kit for you below and provide you step by step instructions on:
- How to install an SSD in your PC
- How to connect an SSD to the power supply unit (PSU) in your PC
- How to connect an SSD to the motherboard in your PC
- How to create a free Linux installation DVD or USB flash drive
- How to install Linux on your new SSD
- How to transfer data from your old hard drive to your new SSD
Recommended parts for your SSD Upgrade Kit
If you want to order any of the parts below just contact us.
SSD Solid state drive SATA 2.5 inch
Crucial MX500 SSDs 2.5 inch Solid State Drives
Up to 2 TB, SATA 6 Gbps, 2.5 inch SSDs.
Recommended for mini PCs and mainstream PCs.
SATA port
You do need an open SATA port on your motherboard, or on a PCI or PCIe storage controller adapter card attached to your motherboard, so you can connect your new SSD. Even if your SATA port is the older SATA 1 (1.5 Gbps) or SATA 2 (3 Gbps) and not SATA 3 (6 Gbps), you should still see a noticeable difference in your existing PC's performance with an SSD.
PSU SATA power connector
You do need an open SATA power connector on your PSU (power supply unit) so you can connect power to your new SSD. Older PSUs may only have Molex power connectors and no SATA power connectors in which case you will need a Molex to SATA adapter, or you can get a new PSU if you're looking to upgrade that as well. These options are provided in the SSD Upgrade Kit if you need them.
Drive bay adapter bracket
Kingston 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch adapter bracket and screws for the SSD
You will need this if your case does not have an open 2.5 inch drive bay. This adapter allows you to install an SSD into an open 3.5 inch drive bay typically used for traditional hard drives.
SATA cable
VCOM 19 inch SATA3 to SATA3 cable with locking latch
You will need this if you don't have a spare SATA cable to connect your SSD to the motherboard.
Molex to SATA power adapter cable
VCOM 6 inch 4 Pin Molex Male to SATA Power Cable
You will need this if your PSU only has Molex power connectors and no SATA power connector, to connect your SSD to the PSU.
Or
SSD Solid state drive M.2 PCIe NVMe
Samsung SSD 970 EVO M.2 PCIe NVMe
Up to 2 TB, M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs.
Recommended for mainstream and gaming PCs.
M.2 PCIe NVMe slot
For the ultimate in SSD speed you do need a motherboard that has a spare M.2 PCIe NVMe slot. M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs get their power from the motherboard so they don't need your PSU to have a spare power connector, nor do you need a SATA cable to the motherboard.
Hard Drive 3.5 inch
Western Digital WD Blue PC Desktop Hard Drive, SATA 6 Gbps
Up to 6 TB, SATA 6 Gbps, 7200 RPM, 64 MB Cache. 3.5 inch hard drives.
Recommended if you want to complement your SSD drive with more storage capacity for data, music, video, photo files. An SSD plus hard drive combo is cheaper than a single larger SSD.
See how we choose a hard drive and/or solid state drive.
DVD CD drive
DVD Write Speed 24x maximum, CD Write Speed 48x maximum, SATA interface
Play and record DVDs and CDs with a fast DVD Writer supporting multiple
formats!
Recommended if you want to add a DVD rewriter for saving data, music, video, photo files on CDs and DVDs, to play music or movies on your PC, or to install the OS and programs from a DVD. Remember you can install the OS from a USB flash drive as well.
See how we choose a DVD CD drive.
Case
SilverStone Precision Series PS08 Black case
Micro-ATX Mid-Tower, black, USB 3.0 front ports, 1x120mm fan
Stay cool with a great looking case with room for future upgrades!
Recommended if you need a new case, this one has a 2.5 inch drive bay for an SSD so no separate adapter bracket will be required. Obviously this will involve a complete reassembly of your PC, but if you want a change this is a good looking case with plenty of room for a mainstream PC or an affordable gaming PC!
See how we choose a computer case.
PSU Power supply unit
550 Watts, 80 Plus Bronze certified efficiency, smart temperature control 140 mm fan for optimal quiet performance, flat and low profile cables, powerful single +12V rail for compatibility, top quality Japanese capacitor. Connectors include 2 PCI-E 6+2 pin, 6 SATA, 4+4 pin CPU and more.
Power on with a quiet stable PSU with reserve power and spare connectors for future upgrades including an upgrade to a powerful video card!
Recommended for a mainstream and gaming PC if you want to upgrade your PSU if your current PSU doesn't have the connectors you need. Remember to look into connector adapters before you upgrade the PSU, that's cheaper.
See how we choose a PSU.
Due to fast changing technology, supply factors and dropping prices we may substitute a part for another we consider the same or better with no increase in price.
