How to Upgrade Alienware Gaming Laptop SSD Without Lossing

Larissa updated on Jul 11, 2024 to Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Articles

Are you an Alienware user and want to upgrade your SSD on your laptop? You are in the right place. This EaseUS blog will show you how to perform an Alienware SSD upgrade without losing any data saved on your old SSD. Whether you are using M16, M18, x15 r2, x14, or Aurora R13. Keep reading and find your solution here.

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Alienware is a subsidiary of Dell Technologies that specializes in high-performance gaming computers, including laptops, desktops, and accessories. Its laptops and desktops are equipped with top-of-the-line components, such as high-end processors, dedicated graphics cards, and fast storage drives, to deliver exceptional gaming performance. Over the years, Alienware has solidified its position as a leading manufacturer of gaming PCs, earning a loyal following among gamers worldwide.

However, after a long period of use, your computer's performance may be affected, and you may encounter issues like unknown noise, slower boot speed, insufficient storage space, unsmooth gaming experiences, etc. To solve these annoying problems, upgrading the SSD of your Alienware computer is an excellent option to improve its performance,

This blog from EaseUS will provide you with the ultimate guide to upgrading your Alienware SSD, including the preparation work, a step-by-step guide, and tips afterward. Just keep reading. Whether you are using Alienware M16, M18, x15 r2,  x14, or Aurora R13.

Can You Upgrade Alienware SSD

The answer is definitely Yes. Most Alienware laptops and desktops are designed to be user-upgradable, including the SSD. If you want to expand your SSD's storage capacity, get a better performance, or longer lifespan, upgrading SSD is the best choice.

You can upgrade the SSD in an Alienware system by following the steps:

However, it's important to ensure compatibility with your specific Alienware model and to follow proper installation procedures to avoid damaging the system. To ensure a successful Alienware SSD upgrade, read the following preparation work and step guide in detail.

What to Prepare Before Alienware SSD Upgrade

As we mentioned before, preparation is the key to ensuring a successful Alienware SSD upgrade. Here is some work you need to do in advance before replacing it.

1️⃣New compatible SSD: Ensure you choose an SSD that is compatible with your Alienware computer model and has enough storage capacity. Alienware laptop/desktop comes with 4 slots, including 2 PCIe x16 mechanical/x8 electrical Gen4 slots (SLOT 1 and SLOT4) and 2 PCIe x4 slots (SLOT2 and SLOT3). In addition, the storage capacity should be large enough to accommodate all data saved on your old HDD/SSD.

2️⃣Tools to connect or install SSD: To upgrade SSD successfully, you also need some physical tools, like Phillips or Torx screwdrivers, to open your computer's back cover. For laptops, you need #1, #0, #00 Phillips screwdrivers, and T3, T4, or T5 Torx drivers.

3️⃣Data migration tool: SSD upgrading is not difficult, but migrating all data from the old disk to the new one is the most time-consuming. If you want to swap to the new SSD without losing any data, cloning the SSD is the best choice. EaseUS Disk Copy is a reliable disk cloning tool that supports cloning HDD to SSD or cloning a smaller SSD to a larger one with simple clicks. After cloning, all the data saved on the old disk will be copied to the new SSD, including the operating system, files, videos, images, settings, and booting sectors, ensuring you can boot and use the new SSD seamlessly. Download it and follow the steps below to clone SSD.

Note: Please activate EaseUS Disk Copy for a smooth disk copying or cloning process.

Step 1. Download, install and run EaseUS Disk Copy on your PC.
Click Disk Mode and select the source disk that you want to copy or clone. Click Next to continue.

Note: The destination disk should be at least the same big or even larger than the source disk if you want to copy or clone the source disk sector by sector.

Step 2. Select the destination disk where you want to clone/copy the old disk and click Next to continue.
Click OK to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

Step 3. Check and edit the disk layout as Autofit the disk, Copy as the source or Edit disk layout.
Autofit the disk is recommended.

Copy as the source option will copy/clone the same layout of partitions on your source disk to the destination disk.
Edit disk layout allows you to manually resize or move partition layout on the destination disk.

If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick Check the option if the target is SSD.

Click Proceed to start the disk cloning or disk copying process now.

Share the blog on your social platforms and help other Alienware to upgrade their SSD smoothly.

 

Step Guide: Alienware SSD Upgrade

With all the preparations done, you can now upgrade and replace the old SSD with the new one.

Step 1. Open up the Alienware device.

Use a PH1 screwdriver to remove all the screws on the back of the laptop, then pull the back cover to remove it.

Step 2. Removing the existing SSD.

Disconnect the battery connector cable on the right side of the laptop and wait several minutes for it to power down completely. Then use a PH1 screwdriver bit to remove the existing SSD on your laptop.

Step 3. Install the new SSD.

Insert the new SSD on your laptop and place it properly, use the PH1 screwdriver to fix it. Reput the battery, back cover, and all screws; then the SSD replacement process is finished. If your laptop has an extra empty slot for the new SSD, you can install it into the empty slot.

📚Read also: How to Upgrade HDD to SSD Without Reinstalling Windows

What to Do After SSD Upgrading

After the new SSD installation, you can run your computer on the new SSD and enjoy a smooth gaming experience right now. Here are two cases after the SSD upgrade.

Situation 1. Remove the old disk from your device and keep the new SSD only.

  • Restart your laptop.
  • It will automatically boot from the new cloned SSD.

Situation 2. Keep both old and new disks on your laptop, using one for the boot drive and the other for the storage drive.

  • Restart your laptop.
  • Press F8/F10/F12 to boot into BIOS.
  • Change the boot order and set the new SSD as the boot drive.
  • Boot your Alienware from the new SSD.

Share the blog on your social platforms and help other Alienware to upgrade their SSD smoothly.

 

To Sum Up

This is all about the Alienware SSD upgrade. We have covered the preparation work, the detailed steps, and the issues after the upgrade. Upgrading Alienware SSD is an excellent choice to get more storage space, improve the computer's performance, and enjoy a faster gaming experience.

Before upgrading, it is important to migrate all data to the new SSD to keep all the information intact. EaseUS Disk Copy provides an easy solution to clone the old hard drive to the new SSD without any loss. Download and give it a try.

FAQs Related to Alienware SSD Upgrade

1. What type of SSD does Alienware use?

Alienware supports two type of SSDs:  M.2 2230 and M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSDs. These SSDs are known for their high speed and performance, making them ideal for gaming and other demanding tasks. If you plan to upgrade and replace the SSD in your Alienware computer, ensure that either of the two types of SSDs is compatible with your device.

2. Can you add SSD to Alienware Aurora?

According to Dell's official website, Alienware Aurora computers are shipped with 4 slots, including 2 PCIe x16 mechanical/x8 electrical Gen4 slots (SLOT 1 and SLOT4) and 2 PCIe x4 slots (SLOT2 and SLOT3). So, if your computer has available slots, you can add an SSD to it based on your needs.

3. Is Alienware a high-end laptop?

Yes, Alienware is a pioneer in premium gaming computers, known for producing high-end gaming laptops and desktops. Their systems are designed with powerful hardware components, advanced cooling systems, customizable RGB lighting, and high-resolution displays to provide a premium gaming experience. Alienware laptops and desktops are often equipped with top-of-the-line processors, dedicated graphics cards, and fast storage drives to ensure smooth gameplay and fast loading times. Additionally, Alienware systems are known for their sleek and futuristic designs, making them a popular choice among gamers who prioritize performance and aesthetics.