How to Upgrade a Desktop Hard Drive With Solid State Hybrid Drive Technology..

Solid state hybrid drive (SSHD) technology helps to enhance the performance of your desktop computer while still having high capacity.

Why Upgrade Your Desktop With an SSHD?

• Accelerated and dependable performance
• Abundant storage capacities
• Exceptional bang for your buck

The Benefits of SSHD Technology

Whether you want to extend the mileage of your old desktop or get more punch out of a newer system, you might be ready for a change. A simple storage upgrade can bring a performance boost to your current desktop computer without the cost and complexity of adding a separate solid state drive (SSD). SSHD technology is a simpler, more effective solution to achieve your desired levels of high-capacity storage and performance.

SSHD is a relatively new hybrid storage category that integrates a small amount of solid state storage onto the core architecture of a traditional hard drive. This combination of storage technologies delivers an ideal blend of speedy performance and high capacity, at just a slight price premium to a typical hard drive. SSHDs give you fast access to your data without compromising on storage space. This means that your desktop system can smoothly and reliably handle all of your data—whether in the workplace or at home.

How to Upgrade Your Desktop Drive

Best of all, the process of upgrading your desktop drive to a Seagate^® Desktop SSHD is simpler than you might expect. There are three essential steps involved with the upgrade process:

1. Purchase the Seagate Desktop SSHD that fits your capacity needs.¹
2. Copy (or clone) all the information from your existing drive to the new model.²
3. Swap your old hard drive with your new SSHD.³

In addition to understanding these basic steps associated with upgrading your desktop drive, you will also need the following:

• A power cable and a SATA connection cable (likely already within your system). These cables will connect your new SSHD to your desktop, enabling you to duplicate the data on your current drive.
• A screwdriver to remove the computer case and help with mounting the new SSHD.
• A software application that automates the data duplication process.
• The product manual for your desktop system. Go to the desktop manufacturer’s website before you begin and download it for reference and for specific instructions on how to remove your desktop hard drive. Because there are some differences between desktop systems, there may be some differences on how this and related tasks are done.
• ESD wrist strap. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap, be sure you ground yourself by touching something metal before touching and working with the hard drive. Static electricity can permanently damage your hard drive. Use caution.

Some Other Things You Need to Get Started

You will also need to ensure that you have access to the power and SATA cables within your desktop system. Use a screwdriver to remove the front panel of the system, and verify that the power and SATA cables are compatible with your new drive. Refer to your desktop system product manual.

Download the free DiscWizard™ software from the Seagate website. This download will enable automated duplication of the data from your old drive to your new SSHD. The following article provides more information on how to clone your current drive: “How can I copy/transfer all the data from my old boot drive to my new Seagate drive?”

Following this simple approach to upgrading your desktop drive, you can fearlessly bring your computer up to speed with your capacity and performance expectations. Take control of your desktop storage today and get the speed, space and reliability benefits of SSHD technology.

¹You can choose from 1TB and 2TB storage capacities.

²The copying, or cloning, process includes the operating system, device driver and all data, so that the new drive can boot and run your computer just like the original. Specialized software is necessary for this step and is covered later in this paper.

³If you want to keep your current drive for backup purposes, you can simply connect your system’s primary SATA cable to the new drive and the secondary SATA cable to your old drive.