Looking for a low budget SSD, preferrably 250-500GB, which ones fit into my laptop?

[Lebowski122]

Okay, so my laptop just isn't as fast as I'd like, so I figured if I change the HDD into an SSD, it would become faster.

The thing is, my budget is kind of low, so I'd prefer to do the swap myself.

The laptop is ASUS X556UQK

■ i7-7500u
Nvidia 940MX
8GB of RAM
Current HDD -TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100 1TB 5400RPM

So my questions are:

How do I know which SSD fits into my laptop? Do you have any suggestions which budget-line SSD's are the best?

I have an empty CD-ROM, I've heard sometimes people insert their SSD's there, is it possible? If so, what would the effects on battery life be (since instead of a single HDD, an SSD would also run, too)?

Is it too risky to do the replacement myself, bearing in mind that I've never done anything similar myself? Maybe there are some good tutorial videos with my specific laptop?

I'd probably choose to take the HDD out and replace it with an SSD, so will I need a frame(or something like that) for my new SSD, or can I simply connect it and use it?

It's all really confusing to me, any information is appreciated!


EDIT: I'm currently thinking about this one - https://www.kingston.com/us/ssd/consumer/suv400s3

 

[USAFRet]

Just about any standard 2.5" SSD will fit.

Which one?
Samsung 850 EVO or Crucial MX300.

How to use it?
Do you wish to completely replace the existing HDD (recommended)? How much total space is currently consumed on your HDD?

 

[Lebowski122]

Just about any standard 2.5" SSD will fit.

Which one?
Samsung 850 EVO or Crucial MX300.

How to use it?
Do you wish to completely replace the existing HDD (recommended)? How much total space is currently consumed on your HDD?

Thanks so much for the reply - I did a little bit of searching and found this one USED for approximately 140 dollars. https://www.kingston.com/us/ssd/consumer/suv400s3
As I understand it was used for two years. It has 480 GB of storage and warranty till August 2018.

Yes, I'll replace it. Currently I am using approx. 100GB out of the 1TB.

What do you think, is it worth it buying it used? Or should I search for a different one? How much an SSD could be worn out if used for 2 years?

And for the replacement process - is it easy enough? No wiring or stuff like that needed - just take one out and replace it?

Sorry for asking lots of questions.

 

[USAFRet]

1. A used SSD?
Not a chance.
It may have been used and abused. Running an SSD near full capacity shortens its lifespan.
If that one were $50, i'd think about it. For $140? No way.

And that Kingston is only $170 new.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJ4UM9A/

2. That particular Kingston?
No. There are MUCH better ones out there.


Assuming US prices, this Crucial is a MUCH better buy, new, at $149
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX300-525GB-Internal-Solid/dp/B01IAGSD68

 

[Lebowski122]

1. A used SSD?
Not a chance.
It may have been used and abused. Running an SSD near full capacity shortens its lifespan.
If that one were $50, i'd think about it. For $140? No way.

And that Kingston is only $170 new.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJ4UM9A/

2. That particular Kingston?
No. There are MUCH better ones out there.


Assuming US prices, this Crucial is a MUCH better buy, new, at $149
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX300-525GB-Internal-Solid/dp/B01IAGSD68

Thanks again, I will buy the Crucial MX300!

 

[USAFRet]

Once you have it, you're going to have to either clone everything from the old drive to the new one
or
a clean install of the OS and everything else on the new drive.

What OS is this, and which would you want to do?

 

[Lebowski122]

The OS is Windows 10 Pro. I guess I'd like to clone it. What about the partitions - I have a C partition (50GB of space) and E partition (950GB), how are they sorted when cloning? Is it a hassle to clone?

But a clean install is also an option, there's something awesome about starting fresh, right?

All the files in the PC could be uploaded to Google Drive for backup or something, in case of a clean install.

 

[USAFRet]

The OS is Windows 10 Pro. I guess I'd like to clone it. What about the partitions - I have a C partition (50GB of space) and E partition (950GB), how are they sorted when cloning? Is it a hassle to clone?

But a clean install is also an option, there's something awesome about starting fresh, right?

All the files in the PC could be uploaded to Google Drive for backup or something, in case of a clean install.

A clean install is the recommended way forward.
A clone operation usually works. Usually..
But when it goes bad, tears follow.

For a clean install, to prepare:
Document all your username/passwords
Find and save all your application install files
Document any serial numbers or logins needed for your applications
Download all the drivers for your hardware to a USB stick
Any personal files you want saved, save them elsewhere. Google, a DVD, wherever.

On a different USB stick, create a Win 10 install. Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Swap the drives
Boot from your Win 10 install USB
Go.
This being a reinstall on the same hardware, you should not need to mess with the OS license key. When it asks, Skip.

 

[Lebowski122]

The OS is Windows 10 Pro. I guess I'd like to clone it. What about the partitions - I have a C partition (50GB of space) and E partition (950GB), how are they sorted when cloning? Is it a hassle to clone?

But a clean install is also an option, there's something awesome about starting fresh, right?

All the files in the PC could be uploaded to Google Drive for backup or something, in case of a clean install.

A clean install is the recommended way forward.
A clone operation usually works. Usually..
But when it goes bad, tears follow.

For a clean install, to prepare:
Document all your username/passwords
Find and save all your application install files
Document any serial numbers or logins needed for your applications
Download all the drivers for your hardware to a USB stick
Any personal files you want saved, save them elsewhere. Google, a DVD, wherever.

On a different USB stick, create a Win 10 install. Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Swap the drives
Boot from your Win 10 install USB
Go.
This being a reinstall on the same hardware, you should not need to mess with the OS license key. When it asks, Skip.

Alright, based on your words, I will definitely do a clean install. Wouldn't want to have a false sense of security! Thank you so much for the help!