want to put a msata ssd onto a aspire 7520

jamercier

i got a mini-pci  free so i want to put a msata ssd in

 

JackE

What is your question?

 

Jack E/NJ

oldsmagnet

I'm guessing the question is, "can it be done" -- I'm looking to do the same (and still searching the archives) 

 

I've got a 7741 and a 7551, both with the empty long-format mini-pcie slot (labelled "mini 2") and my Samsung SSD850EVO/500Gb is not recognized by either one, both Windows 10, but neither show anything pertinent in BIOS either.  Would be cool to make work, but no idea if it can be done or not.  

 

It looks like the 7520 is a different series, so I can't say anything concrete there, but I'm zero for two here...  

JackE

I often rely on crucial.com to test what upgrades might be commonly available. If an msata drive isn't listed as an upgrade, the msata slot is likely inactive. In other words, while similar Aspire notebook models might all have an msata slot for mainboard manufacturing ease, commonality and cost savings, not all are necessarily internally connected to actually see an msata drive. If crucial doesn't list at least one msata drive for your system(s)---AND---if your msata drive is properly formatted but still not being recognized, then my *best guess* is "No, it can't be done" on your particular notebooks.

 

Jack E/NJ    

oldsmagnet

crucial.com looks like a pretty slick utility to keep bookmarked for future use -- thanks for that tip!  Looks like it's not 100%, but errs on the side of caution with "as built" specs.  I ran my 7551 through it to see what it showed, (it came with AMD 2.1Ghz dual core and, I think 2GB ram) -- shows max ram at 8GB.  I saw somewhere that the memory limitation on ~some~ may lie within the processor.  I'm running a Phenom II P960, 1.8Ghz Quad Core, and 16GB ram without incident -- and their scanner didn't catch any of those changes, so I'd say the sight is somewhat hit or miss, in that there's still peformance options to be gained if you're willing to take the chance.  --- But for a quick reference for as-built specs, that looks like it should be a pretty good resource. 

 

The comment about mass production options has me curious though, ya suppose there are any reference sites out there that would show which motherboards may share the same form factor and have the 2nd mini slot active?  (From there it'd just be a matter of blind luck to find one used at a decent price, because it won't take long at all to make that become a pointless educational experience, since it's probably cheaper to just buy something newer...)

 

Regardless, thanks for the response! :-)