Question Laptop upgrade help

[Sakra19]

Hi I want to upgrade my laptop RAM and SSD but I'm not sure how to go about it.
I have ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR Edition GL703GE-EE047T Gunmetal Aluminum.

It has 8GB DDR4 RAM and SSD 128GB PCIe + SSHD 1TB 5400rpm. It has an additional slot for the RAM which is currently empty. This SSD is not the fastest and 128GB capacity is way too small. After years of using SSD I can't stand HDD anymore so I want to replace it with SSD too. Would you suggest to leave the original SSD in and just replace the HDD or both? I'm not even sure what's the difference between the memory looking SSD and the 2.5. I also don't know where are the Windows and drivers for the initial installation stored? Is it on SSD or the motherboard? Can I even replace the original SSD?

This is how the laptop looks when the quick access lid is open. Unfortunately the second RAM slot sin't available from there so the whole thing has to go off. I think 16 GB RAM would be enough. Not sure if I should open it all the way and add another 8GB or just replace the existing one with the 16GB module cause it's easier. That would be kind of a waste tho. It's not possible to have 8GB and add another 16GB so there's 24 in total right?

 

[tennis2]

The "memory looking SSD" is an M.2 NVMe SSD. That's going to be faster than any 2.5" SSD you can buy. So replace that. You don't need to leave the HDD in there if you don't need/ want it. What capacity SSD are you looking to get? What country?

2 sticks of RAM are better than one. Usually the RAM sticks/slots are stacked on top of each other. Are you sure the stick you're seeing isn't just in the top slot?

 

[Eximo]

You have a lot of questions. Let me find the service manual and get back to you.

Here is some background on your more basic questions:

M.2 SSDs can run using the NVMe PCIe protocol, which can be 3 or 4 times faster than a SATA drive. Some M.2 SSDs use the SATA protocol, so depending on the drive, maybe little difference.

Leaving the OS on the 128GB SSD in this case is probably easier for you. The motherboard does not store anything but the basic settings of the computer that allow an OS to be booted. If the system doesn't have a recovery partition and you didn't get restore disks/drive, then you basically don't have a backup for the OS.

Relatively easy to transfer an M.2 SATA drive to another drive using a PC. You can get USB enclosures that will let you plug in the new drive. M.2 NVMe enclosures are still pretty expensive. But you will need software like Macrium Reflect to do that as well.

Performance wise, there is little difference between a SATA SSD and an M.2 SSD for the average user. Load times will be better on applications, but transfer speeds will always be limited by the slowest connection. And it is quite hard to get queue depths deep enough for it to matter all that much.

 

[Eximo]

Hmm, they don't go into much detail on supported memory configurations. You can probably get away with 24GB of memory, though there is little need. If they have left you an empty slot, we need only know what kind of memory you already have and get a matching module.

Install CPU-Z and report back from the memory page. It will tell you the make, model, speed, voltage, and timings of the memory so you can find a compatible module.

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

But you'll want to find out which it is if you want to do disk imaging. You can get the model of the drive from Windows' Device Manager.

The M.2 2280 slot supports both PCIe (NVMe) SSD and SATA
SSD, so if you wanted to upgrade to NVMe if it isn't one, you can.

Does get a little complicated if you aren't doing a fresh install as I said.

 

[jojesa]

Hi I want to upgrade my laptop RAM and SSD but I'm not sure how to go about it.
I have ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR Edition GL703GE-EE047T Gunmetal Aluminum.

It has 8GB DDR4 RAM and SSD 128GB PCIe + SSHD 1TB 5400rpm. It has an additional slot for the RAM which is currently empty. This SSD is not the fastest and 128GB capacity is way too small. After years of using SSD I can't stand HDD anymore so I want to replace it with SSD too. Would you suggest to leave the original SSD in and just replace the HDD or both? I'm not even sure what's the difference between the memory looking SSD and the 2.5. I also don't know where are the Windows and drivers for the initial installation stored? Is it on SSD or the motherboard? Can I even replace the original SSD?

This is how the laptop looks when the quick access lid is open. Unfortunately the second RAM slot sin't available from there so the whole thing has to go off. I think 16 GB RAM would be enough. Not sure if I should open it all the way and add another 8GB or just replace the existing one with the 16GB module cause it's easier. That would be kind of a waste tho. It's not possible to have 8GB and add another 16GB so there's 24 in total right?

You could add a stick of RAM on the empty slot. The other RAM slot is right across and you will have to remove the back cover to get access to it.
Crucial 8GB DDR4 2666MHz
https://www.newegg.com/p/0RM-0006-00C66

For better compability I recommend a 16GB (2 x 8GB kit)
Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 2666MHz
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16820156183
You could sell the RAM and SSD to recoup some $$$.

You could replace the 128GB M.2 NVMe SSD (long stick) and Install either a 512GB or 1TB module...like the Intel 660p 1TB NVMe SSD
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16820167462
or
Crucial P1 1TB NVMe SSD
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16820156199

You could go with something faster like the Samsung 970 Evo but you won't see any diference in real world usage.

If you need more storage (which you could use as file storage and backup) then you could replace the SATA HDD with a 2.5 SATA SSD like the Crucial MX500 2.5" 1TB SATA SSD.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16820156174

 

[Sakra19]

Thanks everyone.

What capacity SSD are you looking to get? What country?
Usually the RAM sticks/slots are stacked on top of each other. Are you sure the stick you're seeing isn't just in the top slot?

I was thinking a fast 500GB as main and another 1TB SSD for storage, considering both of my current drives are almost full. The country is Czech Republic. Yeah second slot is under the lid. This is a screenshot from some tutorial on the exact same laptop, I haven't even opened mine yet. Also it's annoying that HDD is screwed to the lid.

Hmm, they don't go into much detail on supported memory configurations. You can probably get away with 24GB of memory, though there is little need. If they have left you an empty slot, we need only know what kind of memory you already have and get a matching module.

Install CPU-Z and report back from the memory page. It will tell you the make, model, speed, voltage, and timings of the memory so you can find a compatible module.

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Thanks. Here it is:

Does get a little complicated if you aren't doing a fresh install as I said.

I would rather do a fresh install but I'm not sure how. When I turned on PC for the first time it all started automatically and I'm not sure I'd be able to do it manually.

 

[Eximo]

DDR4 2666 19-19-19-43 1.2 volts

This ought to do:

https://www.newegg.com/crucial-8gb-260-pin-ddr4-so-dimm/p/0RM-0006-00C66

Though CAS 19 isn't exactly great. So if you wanted to swap out both sticks, you could go for any DDR4 SO-DIMM kit that is 1.2volts. Looks like it will support 32GB of memory, so you could also get a 15GB stick and add it in to get 24GB. (Lower CAS is better)

https://www.newegg.com/crucial-16gb-260-pin-ddr4-so-dimm/p/1X5-001S-002N6

 

[jojesa]

Thanks everyone.




I was thinking a fast 500GB as main and another 1TB SSD for storage, considering both of my current drives are almost full. The country is Czech Republic. Yeah second slot is under the lid. This is a screenshot from some tutorial on the exact same laptop, I haven't even opened mine yet. Also it's annoying that HDD is screwed to the lid.

Thanks. Here it is:

I would rather do a fresh install but I'm not sure how. When I turned on PC for the first time it all started automatically and I'm not sure I'd be able to do it manually.

The RAM I suggested above has the same timings as the RAM on your laptop.
I would go with either 16GB (2x8GB) or 32GB ((2x16GB) to have the RAM running in dual channel mode (faster).
I don't think you need more than 16GB.

You could perform a clean installation by creating a Windows 10 USB installation disk using the Windows 10 media creation tool.
You just need a 8GB or larger USB flash drive.

 

[Eximo]

Fresh install means getting a copy of Windows on to a USB stick and booting from that instead.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

From absolute scratch you would just put the new drive in, boot to the USB drive, and tell Windows to install to the new drive. Would be a completely blank system at that point.

If you want to keep your stuff, look into drive/disk imaging. Macrium Reflect is a good tool. But some drives, like Samsung, will offer a free version of Acronis True Image or something that will only work with their drives as a destination.

 

[Sakra19]

DDR4 2666 19-19-19-43 1.2 volts

This ought to do:

https://www.newegg.com/crucial-8gb-260-pin-ddr4-so-dimm/p/0RM-0006-00C66

Though CAS 19 isn't exactly great. So if you wanted to swap out both sticks, you could go for any DDR4 SO-DIMM kit that is 1.2volts. Looks like it will support 32GB of memory, so you could also get a 15GB stick and add it in to get 24GB. (Lower CAS is better)

https://www.newegg.com/crucial-16gb-260-pin-ddr4-so-dimm/p/1X5-001S-002N6

Thanks, looks like a local PC store has them in stock.

I don't think you need more than 16GB.

Yeah, I use the laptop mostly for gaming and 32GB would be an overkill considering I only have GTX 1050TI inside. But while I'm upgrading SSD I figured to do RAM as well to make it a bit better.

You could perform a clean installation by creating a Windows 10 USB installation disk using the Windows 10 media creation tool.
You just need a 8GB or larger USB flash drive.

Fresh install means getting a copy of Windows on to a USB stick and booting from that instead.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

From absolute scratch you would just put the new drive in, boot to the USB drive, and tell Windows to install to the new drive. Would be a completely blank system at that point

Yeah I'll have to look into that. I remember when I got Windows CD with a key, then it was just a sticker with a key on the back of the laptop. But with this Asus I don't see Windows key anywhere? Also I'd have to get drivers from the website right? I can see a recovery folder on C drive with OEM folder inside so I guess it might be in there?

 

[tennis2]

The XPG SX8200 Pro would be my recommendation for an OS drive. Here in the USA, they're very affordable ($120/TB) and offer above average performance. Not sure how pricing and availability is in your country. I wouldn't go with a QLC SSD (Intel 660p or Crucial P1) for the OS drive.

 

[jojesa]

.... I remember when I got Windows CD with a key, then it was just a sticker with a key on the back of the laptop. But with this Asus I don't see Windows key anywhere? Also I'd have to get drivers from the website right? I can see a recovery folder on C drive with OEM folder inside so I guess it might be in there?

You don't need to worry about Windows 10 activation.
Windows 10 is already activated and when you install Windows back into the same laptop it will activate automatically.

Like Eximo suggested you could also clone your SSD and preserver your apps and settings. Samsung, Intel and other SSDs provide data migration cloning software.
To clone a disk into another you will need both disk connected to the laptop. You will have to buy an adapter for that.

You could create an image of your current disk and then deploy that image into the new M.2 NVMe disk.
You could use Windows 10 Back up and Restore.
Just get into the Control Panel, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), and click on Create a system image.
Save the image to a external or internal disk (make sure to get a disk with enough space).
Windows will ask you to create a recovery drive (on a USB flash drive).
After installing the new M.2 NVMe disk into your laptop you could boot with the USB recovery drive. You will select language, choose Troubleshoot and select Recover from a drive and deploy the image into the new M.2 NVMe disk.

Intel Data Migration Software
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/80098/Intel-Data-Migration-Software

Samsung Data Migration software
https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools/

 

[d239919]

This is just my opinion, but I would only upgrade the primary drive. I am assuming that the 128GB M.2 drive is your boot drive (which holds the OS and possibly your programs) and I am not surprised it is full. I would look at NVMe SSDs with a capacity of at least 500GB.

I would not bother upgrading the storage drive to an SSD as I do not think it would be anyhow beneficial. When it comes to RAM, I am clueless on the various types which laptops use. I tend to have hundreds of tabs opened and 8GB of memory seems to be enough for me, but this depends on what kind of tasks you use your laptop for. I doubt you will use up the entire memory when playing games, but if you have the money to spend then adding another 8GB stick would do.

By the way, I have recently upgraded my laptop's HDD to an SSD and I decided to install a clean copy of Windows. I am a bit skeptical when it comes to cloning drives, so I thought it would be easier just to download software from Microsoft called Creation Tool which allows you to create a bootable USB. If you would prefer to keep your data then look at whether the SSD you are looking to buy comes with cloning software. You should not worry about any product keys because nowadays, Windows licence is either linked to your Microsoft account or linked to the MAC address of your motherboard which is probably your case and most laptops have it this way.