Upgrading My HP i7-6700HQ Laptop with an SSD
I am upgrading my HP i7-6700HQ model 15-AB292NR (purchased in 2016) with a new SSD (solid-state drive), a 1TB Crucial BX500 3D NAND SATA 2.5 drive purchased for $100 from Amazon.
Specs of the HP 15t Model 15-AB292NR
- Processor: Intel i7-6700HQ
- RAM: 8 GB (DDR3 1600mhz SODIMM) [Max 16GB]
- HDD: 1 TB
- GPU: Intel Graphics 530
- Screen: 15.6" IPS
- DVD Writer: Yes
- Wireless: 802.11AC
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Model: ki04 (KI04) - 14.8v - 41 Whr (~2,600 Mah)
The “HQ” in the processor name stands for High Quality and Quad-Core. It is a step below the unlocked K version but is otherwise fairly decent.
Why Upgrade the i7?
The HP i7 has been my main Windows OS machine as I still need it for certain functions, and recently I've been using it daily while stuck at home.
Normally, I spend most of my time on my Linux laptop (HP i3-4010u), which has always been faster than even an i7 running Windows 10. Since I need to spend more time on Windows 10, upgrading to an SSD will help improve performance.
Installation Notes: Disassembling Laptop (there are 20 screws)
Upgrading this laptop is more challenging compared to previous generations. Unlike older models that had dedicated cutouts for easy access to the HDD or RAM, this one requires a bit more effort.
You'll need to remove 20 screws and carefully use a plastic pry tool to reach the motherboard.
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth disassembly process:
1. Power Down and Disconnect
First, make sure the laptop is completely powered off.
Remove the battery and unplug the laptop from any power sources.
2. Remove the Visible Screws
Flip the laptop over and locate the 14 screws on the bottom.
One of these screws secures the DVD player, so be sure to note that.
Carefully remove all 14 screws, keeping them organized for reassembly.
3. Remove the DVD Player
Once the screws are removed, gently slide out the DVD player.
Doing so will expose two additional screws underneath.
4. Unscrew the Black Corner Plastic Pieces
Now, focus on the black plastic corner pieces.
Start by removing the large screw from each corner.
Gently pry open the corner plastic pieces to reveal another screw underneath. Remove them carefully.
5. Final Steps Before Opening
Double-check that all 20 screws have been removed.
Once confirmed, use a plastic pry tool to carefully separate the keyboard plate.
Be cautious around the LCD display screen, as it's delicate and close by.
Installation Notes: Disassembling Laptop (there are 20 screws)
Upgrading this laptop is more challenging compared to previous generations. Unlike older models that had dedicated cutouts for easy access to the HDD or RAM, this one requires a bit more effort.Follow these steps to ensure a smooth disassembly process:
Remove the battery and unplug the laptop from any power sources.
One of these screws secures the DVD player, so be sure to note that.
Carefully remove all 14 screws, keeping them organized for reassembly.
3. Remove the DVD Player
Once the screws are removed, gently slide out the DVD player.
Doing so will expose two additional screws underneath.
4. Unscrew the Black Corner Plastic Pieces
Now, focus on the black plastic corner pieces.
Start by removing the large screw from each corner.
Gently pry open the corner plastic pieces to reveal another screw underneath. Remove them carefully.
5. Final Steps Before Opening
Double-check that all 20 screws have been removed.
Once confirmed, use a plastic pry tool to carefully separate the keyboard plate.
Be cautious around the LCD display screen, as it's delicate and close by.
Does an SSD Improve Speed?
While an SSD does not directly improve the CPU speed, it significantly reduces load times. The CPU and RAM primarily determine the speed of a PC. The SSD helps to reduce wait times for loading applications, which is often perceived as speed.
A typical bottleneck occurs when the HDD is busy handling a queue of requests from the CPU. An SSD can dramatically reduce this queue time—what took one minute to load can take around 20 seconds with an SSD. For many users, this difference creates a perception of improved performance.
Upgrade Windows
If you decide to upgrade the hard drive (or perform a factory restore), it is essential to upgrade Windows 10. The default installation is build 1511, which reached its end of life (EOL) in 2017. The more current build is 1909 (November 2019).
You may encounter problems during the upgrade process, but you can resolve these by downloading the Microsoft Update Assistant.
Final Thoughts
The installation was straightforward, and I relied on a YouTube video for guidance. Overall, I am satisfied with the SSD upgrade. The system feels a bit snappier, and certain features, such as full virus scans or initial boot times, are noticeably quicker.
I initially debated opting for a smaller 500 GB SSD for half the price ($50) and using the savings to upgrade to 8 GB of RAM. However, the 1 TB drive is a better long-term choice, allowing me to stay below the 70% maximum utilization. Most recommendations suggest keeping at least 30% free space on an SSD to avoid speed degradation, which means I will have at least 600-700 GB of capacity.
I also purchased an external HDD case to convert the original 1 TB HDD into an external hard drive for a good deal at $10. After a few weeks, I plan to format the old HDD and use it for backup storage.
Update: Disable Defrag
I recently discovered that Windows 10 has a default setting that defragments the HDD every week. Defragmentation is generally unnecessary for an SSD and can actually shorten its lifespan.
If you have an SSD, consider disabling the automatic defragmentation. While defragging makes sense for older mechanical HDDs by reducing mechanical latency, it is irrelevant for SSDs that have no moving parts.
Update: May 14, 2023
The SSD upgrade has breathed new life into my now seven-year-old HP laptop. It is a must-have upgrade for any laptop still running traditional magnetic drives. There is little reason to stick with old magnetic drives, as SSDs are now even more affordable.
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