and to finally remove the smaller built in SSD and replace it by the new bigger SSD with, as a last step, using gparted to increase the 512GB partition size to the newly available 4000GB size.
Questions:
RAM: I would expect this to be ‘plug & play’ - or is there anything I missed out on and which I’d need to take into account (e.g. 2nd RAM size would need to be symmetric, i.e. I’d either increase my existing 16GB to 32GB and then add a 2nd 32GB or just add a 2nd 16GB to my existing 16GB?)
M.2 NVMe SSD: based on the parameters of my existing - compared to the new - SSD, which I intend to buy: can the new one (details pls. see link above) be expected to be compatible with my Librem 14 connector slot, i.e. the 4000GB to be fully functional? Or might there be other, maybe unexpected, consequences, e.g. quick battery attrition etc…? What about the methodology: would you expect all above outlined steps to work out well (e.g. connection of the bigger SSD via via a USB-NVMe SSD docking station and cloning via ‘pv’ command)?
Looking forward to your thoughts and feedbacks. Happy to provide any additional details if required.
Kind regards - and many thanks, already in advance, for your help/information
SwissUser
You should review all existing topics that basically raise the same question.
The bottom line is that noone can guarantee the results. So you should purchase the parts from a place that is happy to accept returns and where it is convenient for you to do so. If this is a bricks-and-mortar store then you may even get the parts installed on the spot by the vendor so that you leave the store with some confidence that the new parts work.
I’m pretty sure that the chipset in the Librem 14 does not do PCIe 4.0. I guess it is likely that the combination will negotiate down to PCIe 3.0 but a) that is just one more source of uncertainty and b) you are not really getting the benefit of the drive’s capability.
Also, note that PCIe 4.0 (NVMe) SSDs typically need a heatsink. They either come with a heatsink or expect the computer to provide adequate cooling. If they come with a heatsink then there may be difficulties installing the drive in a confined space if the computer is not expecting the SSD to come with a heatsink. That said, because it won’t be running at PCIe 4.0 speeds anyway, you may get away with not having a heatsink on the SSD itself. No guarantees of course.
When I have done similar exercises in the past, I would do a Live Boot, and I would clone the smaller drive to the new larger drive with dd - and then I would use gparted to expand the (correct) partition and file system to use all of the new drive. This would be more complicated if the original drive is using LUKS (three things to expand instead of two).
As a matter of general advice, don’t change two things (RAM and SSD) at once. Change one thing first. Let it bed down i.e. reach the point that you are comfortable that the change has been 100% successful. Then change the second thing.
Upgrading the RAM is likely to be more straightforward. However …
This is generally considered “not best practice”. I don’t know whether Intel chips are smart enough to handle this optimally but generally speaking most people would want two RAM cards of the same size (or even of the same specification). The consideration here is in part how “dual channel” works with dissimilar cards.
Yes, this costs more i.e. you e-waste (or redeploy) the existing 16GB RAM and buy two new 32GB RAM cards - and get 64 GB RAM in total.
Or you could try buying one new 16 GB RAM card - and get 32 GB in total. At least the memory cards would be matched in size.
Correct, but more importantly, the capacities, timings and frequencies should all match for compatibility and performace.
You do not need to do this, as the Librem 14 has a second PCIe M.2 slot behind the 4-cell battery. If you have the AC power adapter, you can perform copying operations between the drives internally.
many thanks for your helpful points! I am not surprised re: PCIe 4.0, although, of course, I would have hoped otherwise. Very valid point re: the heatsink and the RAM too
impressive what you went through. I salute your courage . But great that it worked out at the end. I however gather that it can be a lottery game, i.e. one has to take chances - sometimes it works, sometimes not. I will give it a second thought, whether I’ll be upgrading or not. Particularly when looking at the PCIe 4.0 issue as well. I might contact support though, in order to get an answer on that one.
Actually I think @TiX0 was linking to a post describing someone else’s experience but, either way, it illustrates that it can be hit-and-miss. This applies to any upgrade that you might choose to do yourself - laptop or desktop, regardless of make and model.
That’s why I suggested, particularly in respect of the RAM … bricks-and-mortar store and get them to install the RAM right then and there. It might cost a bit more but at least you leave the store knowing that the computer will actually boot when using the two new RAM cards and you can verify that the correct amount of RAM is showing up.
If you are going to do an upgrade yourself then you can at least make choices that improve the chances that there are no problems (and you can, alternatively, make choices that encourage problems).
Given how overloaded Purism Support is … click on the link to “i7-10710U” above (that appears in the quoted text of the stressful post linked to above) and scroll down to “Erweiterungsoptionen” and look at “PCI-Express-Version”.
OK, I admit that my understanding of German is minimal and I don’t know whether you prefer German, French or Italian - but you can at least easily get the same information in English on the main Intel site.
IMO your safest option would be to double your RAM capacity to 32GB by purchasing a new 16MB SO-DIMM. For perfect match with the one already installed, you can type in a terminal sudo dmidecode which will give you a lot of information about your hardware. Particularly, you want to look for a handle DMI type 17 which describes the Memory Device already installed: this has a very detailed description of all the characteristics of the SO-DIMM, manufacturer, model, speed…every information you need for a perfect match!
thank you, irvinewade, you are right, it was someone else’s experience (I had overread that initially) - but in any case very interesting -->many thanks, @TiX0, for the information!
‘bricks-and-mortar stores’: hm, I’d need to check whether we have such shops here in Switzerland. If yes it can indeed be a good approach!
'click on the link to “i7-10710U” ': I did that, thank you: it indeed confirms as option for extension: PCI express 3.0 (which somewhat limits my possibilities)
’ OK, I admit that my understanding of German is minimal and I don’t know whether you prefer German, French or Italian - but you can at least easily get the same information in English on the main Intel site.': I am a native German speaker, so it worked out just well - super helpful that you even sent the link in German, many thanks !
thank you, @TiX0 : DMI type 17 yields the following listing:
quote
Handle 0x000A, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0009
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 16 GB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: Channel-1-DIMM-0
Bank Locator: BANK 0
Type: DDR4
Type Detail: Unknown Synchronous
Speed: 2667 MT/s
Manufacturer: Samsung
Serial Number: 13fdc8f0
Asset Tag: Channel-1-DIMM-0-AssetTag
Part Number: M471A2G43AB2-CWE
Rank: 1
Configured Memory Speed: 2667 MT/s
Minimum Voltage: 1.2 V
Maximum Voltage: 1.2 V
Configured Voltage: 1.2 V unquote
I guess this will be helpful indeed, especially if I find a ‘bricks-and-mortar’ store…
Concerning the SSD I must admit I have not yet made up my mind. I feels like a bit ‘suboptimal’ to having to install one with a PCI express 3.0… -->I will see…
Kind regards and thanking all of you once more for your hints and considerations
SwissUser
. But great that it worked out at the end. I however gather that it can be a lottery game, i.e. one has to take chances - sometimes it works, sometimes not. I will give it a second thought, whether I’ll be upgrading or not. Particularly when looking at the PCIe 4.0 issue as well. I might contact support though, in order to get an answer on that one.
!