How will I know if a specific HDD/SSD will fit in my machine?

[stardusting]

Hello.

I am replacing my HDD due to it beginning to fail with a new SSD. I am considering the "Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB 2.5-Inch SATA III" as that seems to have favorable reviews and widespread usage after some internet research. However, I am a might bit confused yet on what all I need to ensure that one is to work in my current laptop. Here are my questions:

■Is the "III" part of "SATA III" important to determining whether my laptop is compatible? I already know it's SATA, but the system specs don't have any numbers following.
■How do I determine the dimensions of my current drive? (More specifically, is the there a method that isn't 'pull out a measuring tape'? I'd rather only open up this laptop once if I can help it here. I know it is a 2.5", but I am concerned that the mm thickness will differ.)
■If the mm differs from my own, and thus the bracket that has come with my laptop does not fit, how much of a problem is that? How do I remedy this and how cost effective will that be? Do I need to be seriously concerned that current cables and screws will not be compatible sizewise, also? (From what I can tell, Samsung does not package these items with the drive. If I need new ones, I will have to purchase them separately...)

Perhaps you know where to look online to answer questions specifically for my hardware! I have not previously changed any physical thing about my laptop since its purchase, so everything is factory for my machine. I have an Acer Aspire v3 771G-6814.

Thank you.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

The 'SATA' part of the specification is not critical since SATA III drives are backwards compatible with SATA & SATA II, but your laptop is SATA III so it makes sense to get a SATA III SSD in order to get the best possible performance from it (all new SSDs will be SATA III anyway).

The SSD's height needs to be 7.0mm for your particular laptop model (the most common height so they are readily available) .

For a laptop you do not need to concern yourself with cables as the drive connector in the drive-bay is a rigid fixture which mates with the rigid connector on the SSD (You'll see what I mean when you remove the existing HDD).

 

[stardusting]

The 'SATA' part of the specification is not critical since SATA III drives are backwards compatible with SATA & SATA II, but your laptop is SATA III so it makes sense to get a SATA III SSD in order to get the best possible performance from it (all new SSDs will be SATA III anyway).

The SSD's height needs to be 7.0mm for your particular laptop model (the most common height so they are readily available) .

For a laptop you do not need to concern yourself with cables as the drive connector in the drive-bay is a rigid fixture which mates with the rigid connector on the SSD (You'll see what I mean when you remove the existing HDD).

Thank you, fine sir.