Blade M.2 SSD Performance Review / Swapping Instructions / Cloning

Created USB drive, I recommend leaving the old m.2 drive intact and unchanged until you are up and running successfully with the new drive. I actually have 3 different drives at this point that I can boot off of since I was doing this stuff as a comparative analysis. Of course the Samsung and Transcend are out of date at this point.

You mean creating a backup image of the whole disk then restoring it? Should work just fine, if it doesn't then Macrium Reflect is a failed backup product. Cloning it or creating a full image backup and restoring it should give you the same end state. I did not do it this way and just cloned instead since my NAS only has a USB2.0 port, and I don't believe Macrium has WiFi support for network drives. I would have either had to use a USB Network adapter or copy the backup image set onto a USB drive from a SLOW 2.0 connection. I chose to use the M.2->SATA->USB3.0 solution, it's an order of magnitude faster considering as well that my NAS has slow 2TB 5400RPM drives in it.

I haven't tried restoring my backups yet, but I'm currently using the "Incrementals Forever" template to backup to my NAS Share, I have it run at 9PM on weeknights.

WinPE stands for Windows Preinstallation Environment. There is no such thing as a Linux WinPE that I am aware of unless it runs under a VM in Linux, which I'm not sure is even possible. I don't see an option to create Linux boot media in the "Create Recovery Media" options in Macrium Reflect 6. I actually don't recommend it at any rate since Macrium Reflect 6 can create a bootable recovery USB flash drive using Windows PE 5.0 (Windows 8.1 based). It will have the best hardware support since it uses Windows drivers,, supports UEFI, USB 3.0 and other features. Perhaps Macrium Reflect 5 had a Linux based recovery media option, but I haven't used version 5.

I have never used Macrium Reflect 5, which it looks like that's what the free one is currently based off of. They say on their site a free version based on Macrium Reflect 6 is coming soon. I'm a software engineer by trade, so I know "soon" could mean anything. Try it out and see what happens!

I can do this at some point, I don't have my USB apparatus at the moment I let someone borrow it. As an aside, I just noticed that Macrium has a YouTube channel with a bunch of tutorials. Maybe they will help, perhaps they'll even point out a mistake i've made here. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFan7wijT_rg8qMtEioS8uw

Bottom line, perhaps the easiest thing to do, especially if you buy the new blade and the drive together, would be to just factory restore with the USB Recovery Flash Drive that Razer can provide you. I wish they just gave it away in the box. I think ALL notebook manufacturers should provide one so you can service your own unit years down the road. I'm coming at this after having my Blade for 10 months so that wasn't something I wanted to do. Thankfully my Acronis backups saved my rear end after trial and error trying to clone. Macrium seems like the best cloning+backup solution right now. It isn't without it's little quirks of it's own, for instance my scheduled backups weren't running starting, and I couldn't even run them manually from within Macrium Reflect, until I went into the windows task scheduler and opened and saved the scheduled task, it then asked me for my account password, even though I actually didn't change anything, after applying my password it seems to be running on it's own. I sat there debugging that for about an hour until I finally went and manually opened the scheduled task and pretended to change something. I guess something about the way Macrium was creating the scheduled task isn't fully correct or allowing it to run. My guess is that it was some kind of user account auth problem as the only thing that actually "changed" was me having to enter my account credentials when saving it.

Stuff like that is frustrating.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I am currently trying your way and will post results once I can. Using Crucial 480GB, and will keep you posted. Always good to know a fellow software developer

 

Good luck.

 

So i followed the same steps you did ( cloning the hdd took 3 hours) but i can't seem to fix the boot issue. With or without the old m.2 the restore is constantly failing. any clue??

 

Did the clone successfully finish and it won't boot?

 

Yes i get the following error:
File:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BDC
ERROR CODE: 0x00000f

And when trying to fix i get x on removing BDC file and adding BDC file

 

Try fixing boot problems again without the other M.2 connected over USB. I think when I had that specific error fixing boot problems again without the original M.2 conencted fixed the issue. I forget what the FIRST boot error was before I tried to fix boot problems WITH the original m.2 conncted was, but it wasn't the one you're seeing. That was the second error. You have the new drive that was the target for the clone inside your blade right?

UEFI is fun right?

 

I have an idea, it's possible you didn't need to "fix boot problems" at all, even though i would expect everyone's blade to work the same in this respect. Try cloning to the new drive in the blade again except don't "fix boot problems" at all. If it boots, great! If not, try fixing boot problems without the old M.2 connected. If that doesn't work.. fix boot problems with it connected. If that doesn't work, try doing it again without it connected.

The exact series of events I used was trying to fix boot problems WITHOUT the old drive connected, then with it connected, this finally got me to a different error message, then did it again without it connected and everything worked from there.

Of course this is with the WinPE 5.0 (Windows 8.1) USB recovery media that Reflect 6 creates.

One thing to be careful of, don't "fix boot problems" selecting your original old drive by mistake, that might cause a problem. You want to keep that one untouched so you always have a working one.

EDIT: You could also try this.. the Macrium USB recovery media will let you get to a command prompt. Open that (don'y have your original drive connected over USB during this..) run this command while you are in your C:\ drive at the command prompt (verify that C: is actuall the SSD and not the recovery media.. ):

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Hit "A" at the prompt. see if that fixes it.

 

@hfm thanks for all the help, still was unable to fix boot, i am currently looking at other possible solutions.

Also I can't get the razer usb recovery because I am in the UK and the blade is not sold here....

Edit
So i have an idea as to why it hasnt worked. And thats because the full version automatically recognizes the drives. The free version doesnt therefore is not installing them. As in the blade case the windows and drivers are tied up togethe. (need to log in throught razer etc..). So will get the full version and test. Will update you guys on the resulta

 

I've seen so many people having problems cloning drives on UEFI systems in my google searches it's not even funny. I guess this was yet another failed attempt at creating something useful.

 

So after try after try after try. I gave up on upgrading. Will contact my reseller to see if they offer upgradability. its either my own fault for managing to fail at it constantly. but for future reference these were all my failed attempts (multiple times each):
- Use Macrium Reflex to clone the drive
- Follow the original instructions (use macrium on uefi to clone and restore)
- restore through windows 8.1 original cd
- Clean copy of windows 8.1
- Delete everything from new drive and repopulate with windows
- Reset through windows 8.1 original cd
- format through windows 8.1 original cd


Still the 480gb drive did not work.

Thanks for everything anyways guys, you were very helpfull throught the process specially you @hfm

 

Get a recovery USB flash drive from Razer.

 

Out of curiosity, did you try to clone everything including the recovery partition, system drive and the C: drive? Or you are just cloning the C: drive?

 

This is a good question. Make sure you have all your partitions selected when cloning, not just one of them. I may get the time to do a video eventually.

BTW.. Adding the Samsung 850 EVO to the drive table, it's coming in April apparently. Already up for preorder on Amazon and Newegg.

Also, the M600 is back in stock at ErwinComp.
http://www.erwincomp.com/micron-m60...ial-mtfddav512mbf-1an12abyy.html#.VQBY0oF4r7Y

 

It appears that all the manufacturers are moving to PCIe for 1TB ssd. Do you think we will ever have a 1 TB ssd with SATA?

I am kind of holding out for my ssd upgrade because I want to wait for a 1TB version (if it ever come out at all).

 

I wish they would all switch to PCIe .. Razer should have done it for the 2015 models. It is what it is. Not sure if we'll ever see a 1TB 2280 M.2. I guess we can hold out hope.

 

yes everyttime i cloned i did clone the 4 partitions (Recovery, system, private, memory)

 

Wait so which SSD is best to buy for 512 GB? Seeing a lot of options in this thread. Is it cheaper to go with one of these, and are there greater speed benefits?

 

when buying the new ssd please pay attention to the below:
- It needs to be a M.2 2280
- More memory will most likely equate to more speed.

As recommended by @hfm:
- Samsung is the best but also the most expensive (if you already have the 512gb stock RB do not buy this one as you most likely won't notice the speed improvements)
- For the cheaper alternative:Transcend MT800 (not as fast but far cheaper)

Personally I didn't have a good experience with the Crucial 480GB, but would love to hear from someone who did. It is a very cheap alternative, but do buy at your own risk.

Also in changing the hard drive, be patient and don't be nervous, is a very easy task and I have moved between both my ssds 20+ times and haven't damaged any connector in the system.One thing to take into account, there is a rubery pad (I think is to reduce the temperature) under the ssd which makes it hard to get out, do use a bit of strength to pull it and you should be fine.

 

Actually the Micron M600 was better than the Samsung that came with the Blade (2014), and is my recommendation out of the three I've tried. The table just lists all the ones I'm aware of that exist. I only have tested the three I posted benchmarks for.

 

Very helpful thread! Based on the comments I guess I'm going for the Crucial 500GB here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148956

From what I understand the 2015 works the same way as the instructions for the 2014? Just need to thoroughly read up on how to clone my drive now to make sure I get it

EDIT: Is there a way to clone using an external hard drive? Somehow just copying an image to the hdd and then copying it back to the new empty ssd once installed?

 

Just creating a full partition backup to an external hd should work. I haven't verified macrium yet (I should probably do that for my own sanity) but Acronis worked fine in this regard.

 

I wish I can put 1 TB in my Blade 14 so I don't have to carry my external HDD around.
http://www.mwave.com.au/product/sam...XyynItrwx-Z1Dsx1JLCxxZuVmroIQpPhTMxoC2DXw_wcB

 

All the specs on this seem to indicate it's a SATA M.2! Though they never come out and say it and I can't find it on any samsung product sheets.

Someone should take the risk of ordering it and trying it out.

 

Why not ask Razer for a recovery USB and or instead of trying to image?

I've used Clonezilla with success.

 

I guess that would work too. I just figured I'd rather not have to reinstall and customize everything again. I'll check out Clonezilla too. Either way I should ask for a recovery usb so I have it if and when I do need it

 

Then you'd have to spend all that time getting back to where you were. Doing a full partition backup is a much better option. People should be doing that anyway. Backups are good, mmmkay.

 

Clonezilla didn't work for UEFI. At least I couldn't get it to properly clone and boot. Acronis full partitions backup restore worked, and Macrium cloning with the WinPE flash recovery.

 

Thanks! Looks like I have all the info I need. Now I just need to recover from what I spent on the laptop so I can feel ok about paying for the SSD....

 

Guys great news:
http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-says-3-5tb-m-2-ssds-coming-along-10tb-2-5-inch-ssds_160686

So we can expect m.2s with up to 3.5 tb thats the dream

 

Any idea how soon we can expect them? Hopefully that'll make the smaller capacity ones cheaper too!

 

Yeah I saw all those news today, it gives me some hope we'll see some good drives soon.

 

At the moment these are only word to mouth things I am expecting OEMs to receive theirs by end of Q3 and if with any luck we will get it available at Christmas time.

 

It mostly assuredly is a SATA M.2, since PCIe Samsung EVO 850s don't exist. However, 1TB M.2 Samsung EVO 850s don't exist, either, so I imagine the listing is a mistake.

 

I googled "samsung mz-n5e1t0bw" and I found 3 Australian online sellers listed the drive. I'm quite sure that the listing is not a mistake.

 

Yeah, always only been those in Australia though. It's odd I can't find a Samsung product sheet.

 

Got my Crucial MX200 500 GB SSD today! I'll start the process once I have some time.

For now, I've done the following:

- created a windows recovery drive (without copying the windows partition) on a small usb flash drive
- Used Macrium Reflect Free edition to create an image of all the partitions of my current ssd required to backup and restore windows.

Now, if I put the new SSD into the Blade, can I use the USB and image to get everything back to how I have it now or did I completely mess something up? Basically I'm worried I should have cloned the disk instead of creating an image....

 

As soon as you finish setting up your system can you post your Crystal Disk Mark scores?

This is what I got on mine(on a Clevo P650SE):



I'm curious what others get as there don't seem to be alot of users with the 500gb version arround and it's different from the 2.5' version because it has D.W.A.

 

Create the WinPE bootable recovery USB flash drive from within macrium. You can restore your backup to the new SSD in the blade with that. I'm assuming your macrium partition backup is on a USB hard drive?

 

The macrium partition backup is on a external HDD yes. As for the WinPE bootable recovery USB flash drive, I assume thats the "create bootable rescue media" under the "restore" tab option? Which lets me pick Windows PE 5.0? I'll do that.

I'll post the scores once everything is done and working! Late friday at the latest, probably

Edit: Really appreciate the help by the way! Feel like I'm being handheld through each step of the process by asking all these questions but I've messed up computers before by blindly playing around too much haha

 

Just made the switch and it's currently restoring everything! Seems like it went well!

Since I haven't seen one around, here's a pic of the ssd that came in the 2015 new razer blade in case you're curious.

Will upload scores asap!

 

And here are the scores for the Crucial MX200 500GB SSD!

Had to figure out how to extend my partition first to use all that unallocated space but everything worked very well and was much easier than I expected. Thanks again for all the help everyone!

 

Would you mind running a test with anvil storage utilities?

 

Least I can do after all the help! here you go:
(let me know if I did that right; I just hit run)

 

I tried this with a Plextor M6g 512gb in a 2015 Blade and the drive came back with some pretty disappointing results.

edit: I think I bought the SATA over PCIe version instead... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181680943365

 

That's a good thing as the PCIe version would not work in the blade, completely different bus.

 

Thank you so much both you and @hfm i finally was able to get the 480gb crucial working. disapointed with the read and write results, they are in attachment.

Also if it helps do use a image instead of cloning, you do need an extra hard drive, but it works really well.

 

I thought that the M.2 port in the Blade was M keyed, so it should have SATA and 4 PCIe lanes in there?


edit: Stupid cat on keyboard.

 

As far as I know it is SATA only

 

I just got my 2015 FHD model and am considering pulling the 256gb drive and dropping in a 500gb 850 EVO. Has anyone tried an XP941 to see if it might work by chance? Also, if you want to do a clean install of windows (not backup the existing partition) on the new drive do we really need to jump through the WinPE/Macrium hoops or can we use the stock Windows Recovery? Maybe this has been answered, but for some reason I am not clear as to what makes the Razer so special.