How to replace the SSD in Vaio VPCZ11 and VPCZ12 with non-Sony SSD

[Enny02]

Originally the instructions only applied to the VPCZ12 but beaups ( Add reputation points to beaups here ) found the mSATA cable from Z12 which can be used in the VPCZ11.
mSATA cable for Z11: part number #A1781464A , order for $55 here ( https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.co...A1781464A.aspx )
These instructions to replace the SSD apply to VPCZ11 , Z12 and Z13.

Warning: To be able to fit the other SSD in the same area as the Toshiba SSD's you need to remove the metal case of the SSD which voids its warranty (except you are able to do it without leaving a trace that it had been opened)!
If you never took a notebook apart consider to ask someone, who already did it, to help you.
I'm not responsible for damage maybe caused by following the replacement procedure.

There is enough space in the VPCZ1 to fit two of most of the 1.8" SSD's with Micro SATA connector in the notebook. There is no space for a 2.5" SSD except you remove the optical drive and put it there.

You need:
- small screw driver PH.1 and PH00 (tip should be magnetized)
- check that your current SSD's/HDD's are connected via micro sata connector (I think other models like Z11 maybe have ZIF/LIF connectors)
- SSD with latest firmware (you can not update the firmware when the SSD is in the notebook because the controller is set to AHCI/RAID and most update utilities work only in ATA/IDE mode but you cannot change the controller mode)
- tape and things to keep the installed SSD in place

Backup your Disk as Disk image with Acronis TrueImage or something similar.

disassemble video that someone took is here: Sony Vaio VPC-Z11 videos

Then you see here how the Toshiba SSD's look in the notebook.

Remove the screw, remove the whole plastic frame with the two Toshiba SSD's and then unplug the connectors.

The plastic frame with the two Toshiba SSD's is too small to fit the Intel SSD or other SSD's on there.



Version with one (Intel) SSD only:
Connect the Intel SSD with the Micro SATA connector and put it on the bottom and move it as far left as possible.


Cover the metal things with a tiny piece of tape, hold the lose cable in place with tape and find something to keep the SSD on the bottom and in place (that when you move the notebook it does not get lose), put the screw in.



Version with two SSD's:
Connect the SSD's with the Micro SATA connectors and put the bottom one on the bottom and move it as far left as possible. Make sure that the two SSD's don't short any contacts on each other. Put something on the right side that the SSD's cannot move side ways. Put the screw in.



Put the notebook back together. Do not tighten the screws too much. After firm comes loose. Restore your backup. Don't change anything on the frame/caddy with the Toshiba/Samsung SSD's and keep it if need to send in your notebook for repair.

Performance:
Here are some benchmarks. 2x Toshiba SSD's (THNS064GG2BNAA with FW AGSA0203) in RAID 0 vs 1x Intel SSD Gen1 (SSDSAMH080G1HP with FW 8820). Keep in mind the two disks in RAID0 should be close to twice as fast as a single drive.

CrystalDiskMark (left the Toshiba's, middle the Intel, right the RealSSD C300):




IOmeter with disk size= 10000000 sectors (5GB), 1Worker, test time 4 minutes (first result the Toshiba's and 2nd the Intel, last and 3rd the RealSSD C300):
tests with 1 Outstanding IO:
64KB sequential read: 289MB/s vs 161MB/s vs 163MB/s
64KB sequential write: 146MB/s vs 50MB/s vs 117MB/s
4KB random read: 12.25MB/s (3136 IOps) vs 8.5MB/s (2177IOps) vs 17MB/s (4355IOps)
4KB random write: 1.2MB/s (310 IOps) vs 15.5MB/s (3969IOps) vs 6.5MB/s (1680IOps)

tests with 32 Outstanding IO's:
64KB sequential read: 288MB/s vs 153MB/s vs 237MB/s
64KB sequential write: 110MB/s vs 57MB/s vs 131MB/s
4KB random read: 29.8MB/s (7630 IOps) vs 17MB/s (4368IOps) vs 139MB/s (35750IOps)
4KB random write: 1.12MB/s (287 IOps) vs 19.4MB/s (4962IOps) vs 31MB/s (7982IOps)

PC Mark Vantage x64 scores:
PC Mark Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 10324
PC Mark Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 10945
HDD Suite with two 64GB Toshiba's in RAID 0: 24079
HDD Suite with one 128GB RealSSD C300: 27508


Here is a current test of SSD's from Tom's Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...trim,2705.html

[Willy330Ci]

YOU ARE CRAZILY INSANE WONDERFUL

That's one Hell of an UPGRADE

Kudos Man, You will find this thread go into extreme posts very soon, so please keep an eye on it, since we the POOR, have some questions.

Very Excellent Job btw, very professional too.
Thanks alot!

[fuchstronaut]

So it would be possible to pack in a 1.8" ssd on the HDD-Version of the Z?

[mobytoby]

You sure the Intel is faster than two ssd's in RAID 0?
Nice pics!

[Enny02]

With the two Toshiba THNS064GG2BNAA.
I tested the IOpswith IOmeter and at writing 4KB blocks random the throughput collapses after 30s to 40IOps (which is only half of what a normal spinning HDD can do) and I get over a test period of 10min an avaerage of 290IOps. Settings were 20000000 sectors and 100 Outstanding IO with 1 Worker.
I did the same test on a 160GB IntelX25-M Gen1-SSD and the throughput collapses to 1200IOps (+/- 300IOps) after 2min (that is 10 times faster than a normal spinning HDD) and I get an average of 2590IOps over 10min test period.
I did not test the sequential access. I will hook up one of the Toshibas SSD's later on my other computer and test that.

[TofuTurkey]

Finally!

@ Enny: If you don't have a second X25M, I'll sponsor $20 towards its purchase!

@ fuchstronaut: Since the 1.8" Intel uses a micro-Sata connector and the HDD-version (which is not what's shown in the pictures) uses the normal Sata, it would not be possible (without additional adapters). But, you can use a 2.5" drive in the HDD-version

[random45678]

I might be curious how the RAID0 Toshiba's perform vs. an X25-m in overall system performance. Any chance you could run PCMark Vantage x64 (there's a free version). The Toshiba RAID probably has faster large block performance, so it would be interesting to see how it compares.

[admiez]

This is great news!

[beaups]

Nice. Now all we need is a way to order that micro-sata cable for us Z11 owners....

[Enny02]

The Free trial version of PCMark Vantage x64 does not show any results. And I doubt it produces any representative disk drive bechmark results.
Micro SATA is 3.3V and SATA is 5V that means the adapter you are looking for needs to convert the 5V from the notebook to 3.3V otherwise you'll fry your SSD.