Best 1tb NVME upgrade

So I'm looking to upgrade the SSD in a "new to me" HP Spectre X360 13. The one currently installed is a 500gb KXG60ZNV512G Kioxia. It's fast enough for me. I have a Samsung 970 evo plus in the other laptop but it does run hot. So looking for alternatives. Any recommendations. Speed isn't the most important thing although speedy would be nice. I'm thinking more of running cooler and longevity.

Hazel123 said:

So I'm looking to upgrade the SSD in a "new to me" HP Spectre X360 13. The one currently installed is a 500gb KXG60ZNV512G Kioxia. It's fast enough for me. I have a Samsung 970 evo plus in the other laptop but it does run hot. So looking for alternatives. Any recommendations. Speed isn't the most important thing although speedy would be nice. I'm thinking more of running cooler and longevity.

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I just guessed at the last 6 digits of your model number...


If you happen to know the last six digits... your model(s) are at the very bottom of this page...




Or you can just use the "scanner" here (on the right side).

Thanks. I just wondered if there were specific nvme ssd's people could recommend other than the samsung evo 970 plus. I'm guessing you're recommending Crucial . I've seen mention of a WD Black sn850x as being possible better for keeping the heat down? Don't have a heat problem at the moment, but don't want to create one.

Maybe not. A bit of reading tells me PCIe 4 ssd's are only for 11th generation and up processors so I need a PCIe 3 ssd.

It has an excellent tradeoff between heat and performance IMO, as it only consumes 4.7 watts typical even though it is still about equally as fast as the 1TB 970 EVO (non Plus). The 1TB 970 EVO Plus consumes between 5 and 5.5 watts during sustained read operations, up to 6 watts during sustained write operations. Your 512GB Kioxia consumes 4.1 watts typical. Power consumption translates to heat generation so, there's the difference.

Hazel123 said:

Maybe not. A bit of reading tells me PCIe 4 ssd's are only for 11th generation and up processors so I need a PCIe 3 ssd.

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My laptop's M.2 socket is compatible with both M.2. SATA and NVMe PCIe 3.0, not 4.0, even though this laptop has an 11th gen Intel CPU (Core i5-1135G7). This limitation was still very common with 11th gen Intel based laptops at the beginning of 2021, which was when the 2TB version of the 980 PRO hadn't even come out yet. I have the 2TB 980 PRO installed in it, which is an NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD so it is limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds. A nice side effect is, it being limited in this manner also means that it heats up slower than the 970 EVO Plus. But I normally wouldn't have bought the 2TB 980 Pro. On Cyber Monday 2021 it was on offer for just 229 Euros so that's why.

I have the 2TB 980 PRO installed in it, which is an NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD so it is limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds. A nice side effect is, it being limited in this manner also means that it heats up slower than the 970 EVO Plus.

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That is very helpful, thank you. There seem to be more gen 4 ones easily available anyway.

hdmi said:

https://www.amazon.com/Kioxia-KXG60ZNV1T02-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B08SL586Z7

It has an excellent tradeoff between heat and performance IMO, as it only consumes 4.7 watts typical even though it is still about equally as fast as the 1TB 970 EVO (non Plus). The 1TB 970 EVO Plus consumes between 5 and 5.5 watts during sustained read operations, up to 6 watts during sustained write operations. Your 512GB Kioxia consumes 4.1 watts typical. Power consumption translates to heat generation so, there's the difference.

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Which is what makes me think replacing it with a different one like a Samsung might mean the machine gets too hot. Maybe I should look for another Kioxia (although I think they were oem only).

Hazel123 said:

Maybe not. A bit of reading tells me PCIe 4 ssd's are only for 11th generation and up processors so I need a PCIe 3 ssd.

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Nah, you can run whatever you want in the slot. If the physical slot is PCIe-Gen3, then you will be limited to the speed of the slot, rather than the speed of the drive.

Just as an aside, if you find a PCIe4 SSD that you particularly like it should work in the PCIe 3 slot. They are typically backward compatible.

Now for some speculation: I suspect that running a PCIe 4 unit in a PCIe 3 slot may possibly result in less heat because it is not running at full speed. Again, this is purely speculation on my part, but I am running a PCIe 4 card in a laptop that only supports 3 and it runs nice and cool even under heavy load (I tested it before I put the cover back on).

Thanks. Which one are you running? This laptop is thin, as most are, and gets pretty hot on the lap sometimes even with the manufacturer fitted 500gb ssd. Although temps only show as about 75 max - but that's not even under any demanding tasks. So don't want it getting any hotter!

What do you think about the SK Hynix Gold P31? Apparently runs cooler and is fast.

Hazel123 said:

I'm guessing you're recommending Crucial

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Not really. The Crucial SSD and RAM upgrade site is a good place to start.
It shows what will physically work with your computer.
As for which SSD you get... look at the reviews and comparisons.

If temps are your major concern, look for reviews comparing operating temps.
Anything that runs at SSD speeds is gonna be somewhat hot... some more than others.

I don't really DO laptops, I still think they run too hot, in general.
I'm sure there are folks on here that have much more experience than I, with the ins and outs of laptop SSDs.

Hazel123 said:

What do you think about the SK Hynix Gold P31? Apparently runs cooler and is fast.

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My Dell XPS 15 laptop listed in "My Computers" below has a 1TB SK Hynix PC711. I will have had this laptop for 1 year on Feb 23, 2023, and I'm quite pleased with it. It's fast and doesn't run noticeably hot. The only time the fan comes on is if I'm doing some heavy Photoshop/Lightroom processing. And even then, it doesn't get anything more than a little warm. I could still use it comfortably on my lap.

Hazel123 said:

What do you think about the SK Hynix Gold P31? Apparently runs cooler and is fast.

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hdmi said:

The Best NVMe SSD for Laptops and Notebooks: SK hynix Gold P31 1TB SSD Reviewed

www.anandtech.com

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Thanks. Yes I read that Although it seems it is not easy to get hold of or buy in the Uk and there is also a newer platinum p41 which I can't see much about. I also read something about a possible high failure rate. And something about the architecture being different which I didn't understand - or whether that was a con. Either way I've seen it recommended a few places.

The Platinum p41 apparently runs hot according to reviews (4th generation) so will try and find a gold p31. Costs more than a Samsung 980 pro though. And that is easier to get. And maybe not too hot after what you said earlier

Anyone else have a Samsung 980 pro in a very thin HP laptop?

Hazel123 said:

The Platinum p41 apparently runs hot according to reviews (4th generation) so will try and find a gold p31. Costs more than a Samsung 980 pro though. And that is easier to get. And maybe not too hot after what you said earlier

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Yesterday... I read a few reviews of the Gold P31. They pretty much all agreed that it ran pretty cool.

Well I've gone for the SK Hynix despite the fact I could only find it on Amazon, it ships from the US and there was only one in stock. So I will keep my fingers crossed that I don't have any warranty issues - as I'm in the Uk. It cost £141 compared to £114 for the Samsung 980 pro. I hope I have made the right decision. Both 1tb. Would like 2tb but can't warrant it/afford it right now.

Also seen a few places where people say it's the one recommended for laptops.