Windows 10: Need help determining whether a particular SSD is compatible with my n

I just bought an ASUS ZenBook UX305CA, and I'm contemplating upgrading the 256GB Micron SSD to a Samsung 850 Pro 512GB SSD (2.5", SATA3).

While this isn't technically a Windows 10 issue, I can't post on the ASUS support forums, and their website doesn't seem to want to accept my serial # for product registration purposes. I figured this would be the next best place, since the notebook is running Windows 10.

The product specs page on ASUS website says the drive slot is M.2.2280, but also says it is a SATA3 interface.

https://www.asus.com/us/Notebooks/AS...pecifications/

However the Amazon sales page (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-512GB-...50+evo+pro+512) says the drive is SATA 3 but makes no mention of M.2. I know some SSDs are M.2 and others are SATA3. I cannot find a M.2 version of this drive. It is 7mm so I know it will fit. I just don't want to burn money on a SSD that I may later need to refund because it won't fit in my notebook. I also know there are SATA3 to M.2 converter kits.

Thanks for any help!

:)

 

Determining whether a defunct drive was running windows 10 home or pro

The boot sector in one of my computers has caused it to stop functioning. How can I tell whether the computer was running Windows 10 home or pro?

 

Determining whether a defunct drive was running windows 10 home or pro

Your safest bet is to go with Windows 10 Home. At least if it turns out to be Pro, you can easily upgrade to Pro using the Activation Troubleshooter:

Use a
Digital License to Manage and Activate Windows 10

 

I am no expert on this but from the information you provided I don't believe the Samsung drive will physically fit into your computer. I did a Google search and I think you need something like this:

Amazon.com: Crucial M550 512GB SATA M.2 Type 2280 Internal Solid State Drive CT512M550SSD4: Computers Accessories

When I went on Newegg's website they have the same drive as above but they say there is a newer version. This is the same drive as above:

Crucial M550 M.2 Type 2280 512GB SATA 6Gb CT512M550SSD4 - Newegg.com

If you click on the link for the new version, it brings you to this one:

Crucial MX200 M.2 Type 2280SS CT500MX200SSD4 - Newegg.com

Like I said I'm no expert so if you decide to buy the larger SSD check with Newegg's or Amazon's tech support and make sure it's the right one before you buy it.

 

M.2 is a physical form factor. 2280 means 22 mm wide, 80 mm long. (It's usually OK to substitute smaller cards.)

M.2 SSDs come with either SATA or PCI-E interfaces. There's a Wikipedia entry on M.2 drives, although it's not one of the better written entries (at least for a layman like me).

The SSD in your link is a 2.5 inch drive. (Typical size used in laptop PCs.) Won't fit.

Here's one that would fit (ignore the "3.5 inch"; it's an error):

Amazon.com: Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB M.2 3.5-Inch SSD (MZ-N5E500BW): Computers Accessories

or from another source:

SAMSUNG 850 EVO M.2 500GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal SSD Single Unit Version MZ-N5E500BW - Newegg.com

The specs on the Crucial drive in Post #2 are about the same as the Samsung unit, and the Crucial SSD is slightly cheaper. (Crucial is the retail arm of Micron, a US memory manufacturer.) Crucial claims that the MX200 is specifically compatible with your Zenbook:

Computer memory and SSD upgrades for ASUS ASUS Notebooks ZENBOOK UX305CA from Crucial

 

@ TrustMe and bobkn: Are you guys sure the drive won't fit? The SSD I want to buy is 2.5" *but* is also 7mm (milimeters). 2.5" is just a standard spec designed for laptops, but there are different sizes. My laptop technically would qualify as more of an ultrabook/netbook because of its' size and thinness. My linked ASUS product specs page seems to imply that my notebook can hold a 7mm. If it still won't fit, can you explain why?

@ bobkn: The first Samsung you linked says 3.5" (even though you say to ignore it), and appears to be nothing more than a chip/board. Take a look at the pics. It doesn't appear to be an SSD to me.

I'll check out the other linked drives. I would prefer to go with a Samsung SSD, I have an 850 Pro 1TB in my gaming laptop and it is phenomenal.

Thanks again!

 

If you like, check out (Wikipedia or elsewhere) what an M.2 drive looks like. It's like a small printed circuit card. It looks nothing like a regular 2.5" hard drive (spinner or SSD), and it doesn't use that kind of SATA connector. I own a PCI-E M.2 drive, but it is in use in a desktop. (With an M.2 to PCI-E slot adapter; the motherboard doesn't have an M.2 connector.)

An SSD doesn't "look like" anything in particular. The 2.5" hardware format is one developed for spinning hard drives for notebooks (2.5" is the nominal platter diameter). SSDs are sometimes packaged that way for compatibility.

Unless Asus included a provision for a 2.5" drive that they neglect to mention in the specs for your model, a 2.5" drive won't fit.

I'd refer you to the manual for the Zenbook, but the one available for download from Asus isn't helpful for hardware upgrades.

Here's YouTube video for a similar model:

ASUS UX305FA SSD Upgrade - YouTube

(The whole bottom of the laptop is removed. Could be worse.) It's not the greatest YouTube tutorial I've seen, but it covers the essentials.

 

@ bobkn: I actually had no idea that there are SSDs that look like chips/boards/circuit cards. I thought they all looked like standard 2.5" HDDs (and figured that a desktop SSD would be a bit bigger at 3.5"). Thanks for the clarification. I did some more research out of interest.

I decided the 1st Samsung SSD you linked would be the most optimal, and ordered it new on Amazon from an alternate seller for $165.xx and free shipping.

I'll report back after I get it to let people know whether it fits and works well.

Thanks again!

 

I bought a UX305CA this week and have done an SSD upgrade - initially I was going to fit a 256GB M.2 NVMe, but on going to install it discovered the slot ASUS have used isn't compatible with NVMe drives and so bought a SATA M.2 2280 drive instead (Sandisk X400 512GB in the end).

I've done a video guide for the upgrade here:
[youtube]ZjzIEnGOdGc[/youtube]

 

I totally forgot about my thread due to being busy, LOL. Anyway, I got the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB. It works perfectly. Although I had to buy a set of Torx-5 screwdrivers because the tiny screws on the bottom of my ultrabook aren't Phillips. I wasn't prepared for that.