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Advice on SSD/NVME Drives for Gaming Laptops

Anonymous
2023-02-04T10:05:46+00:00

Hi, I wondered if anyone would be able to help me regarding the best kind of SSD drives for gaming laptops please (for someone who is bad with technology!)

I have a Lenovo laptop (L340-17IRH Gaming Laptop ideapad - Type 81LL) and am using Windows 11, and I'm really low on storage. I'd like to be able to purchase more games and for them to run well, so I've been exploring options about how to get more storage. Apparently the specifications for my laptop means I could potentially have a second drive - up to a 2TB 2.5 SATA SSD drive that I could use for all my games and extra storage, though I believe I would need an appropriate cable and bracket for this?

I was looking at buying an external HDD, as I’m not that tech savvy and terrified by the idea of having to dismantle my laptop to install an upgraded internal hard drive, but I’ve been advised that HDDs are not good for gaming as they make things run slower.

From what I’ve gathered, my only options seem to be an SSD or an NVME and external enclosure (though I don’t actually know what those are!). I know nothing about these, how to choose what would suit my laptop and how to go about installing them, and I'm overwhelmed by all the different options there are out there. I just want something simple and straightforward where I can free up space on my main hard drive and use another disk/drive to play my games on my laptop without it running slowly or causing any problems. Ideally I need a step-by-step ‘For Dummies’ guide on this!

Please could someone help with a few questions:

  • Do all SSDs/NVME’s require taking apart my laptop to install them or are there some where you can attach them externally using a cable?
  • If the only option is to get an internal drive, are there simple instructions on how to take apart my particular Lenovo laptop to install it, or am I best taking it to a computer store/service and asking them to do it for me?
  • Are there any particular models for SSDs/NVMEs and cables/external enclosures you would recommend (ideally no more than £50)? I’ve heard Crucial and Kingston are good?

Any help or general advice would be really much appreciated as I'm really not good with computers and am feeling a bit lost :)

Thanks!

Windows for home | Other | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 876.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-02-05T08:11:04+00:00

    Hi Annabel, glad to help!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-04T21:20:17+00:00

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks so much - I'll stick with an SSD and ask a PC repair shop to help me fit the drive.

    Best wishes,

    Annabel

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  3. DaveM121 876.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-02-04T10:44:31+00:00

    Hi Annabel,

    I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    1

    An SSD is much faster than a standard HDD, and an NVMe is faster and more reliable than a 2.5" SSD.

    2

    In your laptop, you would need a 2.5" SSD, there isn o extra ports to fit an NVMe drive.

    You will not need a cable, and the bracket should already be inside the laptop.

    3

    It would be best to get either Lenovo Support or a PC repair shop to fit the drive for you, because there are a lot of small tape connectors inside a laptop, and you do not want to break or disconnect any of those and also if your laptop is still under warranty, it is best not do fit the drive yourself.

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