SSD Drive and cloning software recommendations

calleyw

I want to upgrade a computer to an SSD drive say a 500gb one so will need to clone the original disk on to the new ssd. So any recommendations for either.

Thanks in advance

Yours

Calley x

debitcardmayhem

https://www.aomeitech.com/aomei-backupper.html the free version

JJ_Egan

As above it works well .

victor2

Or Macrium Reflect. The free version should do the job.

However, if you have the original software and lots of time, do a clean install. All you then need to do is transfer your data over. Will give you a better performing system when all done, but lots of hurdles to overcome, such as passwords for email etc., and just the general configuration of the system.

[Deleted User]

The type of computer and what you use it for would be useful to help with recommendation but assuming just general use for now.

I've got a lot of different SSD's in various PC's in the house but the one I've found best value is the Crucial MX500 which is a good price point (£50) for the performance. Slightly cheaper is the Samsung 860 Evo (£45) or more expensive but great performance the Samsung 860 Pro (£85). 

For cloning - ideally need to know more about your set up, if you have a PC and can install the SSD while your old HD is installed. With a laptop for example you will need a caddy / connector to attached the new SSD via a port such as USB / Thunderbolt / eSata etc.

Easus ToDo Backup / Acronis True Image are my go to software applications for cloning but those mentioned in above comments are also suitable.

neilmcl

As far an SSD is concerned, you can't go wring with either a Crucial MX500 or Samsung EVO 860. Couple these with Macrium Reflect to clone your disk, however it's generally preferable to do a clean install of the OS onto the new disk and reinstall any programmes and copy data you need. Treat it as a good spring cleaning exercise.

calleyw

Sorry should have said it will 2.5 drive I will be looking at.  Also I play games and general browsing. I will be keeping the old hardrive as backup in the machine.  As its a hand me down machine I would be giving it a clean out anyway with CClean and defraggler before I clone the drive.  I am being very impatient as the I have machine and want to use it now as my old one is so slow.  And my partner does need to go through it and archive his stuff.  But for the time being I will create a new profile and install what I want until we get the time to sort out the archiving and clean then install the new drive and cloning

Yours

Calley x

[Deleted User]

calleyw said:

Sorry should have said it will 2.5 drive I will be looking at.  Also I play games and general browsing. I will be keeping the old hardrive as backup in the machine.  As its a hand me down machine I would be giving it a clean out anyway with CClean and defraggler before I clone the drive.  I am being very impatient as the I have machine and want to use it now as my old one is so slow.  And my partner does need to go through it and archive his stuff.  But for the time being I will create a new profile and install what I want until we get the time to sort out the archiving and clean then install the new drive and cloning

Yours

Calley x

Great, all those drives suggested above come in 2.5" size so will fit ok. I think you will need to purchase a SATA data cable if there isn't a spare one already in the PC and connect this to the motherboard, likely to be next to the existing HD data cable. Also check for a SATA power connector for the new SSD, should be a spare one hanging around in the PC but worth a check beforehand.

Note that defragging should never done on an SSD so this will be the last time you need to run defraggler! There probably isn't much point in doing it before the cloning but no harm either.