Replacing notebook HD with SSD (use HD for internal storage)

Pages 50, 60, 64 in the service manual has some images: (first model)
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03916100

This is the next model: (G2)
Pages 40 and 52 in the service manual have some images:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04493862






The computer is out of Warranty but HP accepted the telephone call.
They said the flash cache is PCI whereas the SSD SATA is rate limited.
So they recommended to continue using the flash cache even when switching from HD to SSD.
(No links were provided)

Samuria said:

Most firms who sell ssd sell a caddy as well for a very cheap price. Normally you don't need a caddy for a laptop it's only needed for PC as it takes bigger sized drives

Every laptop I have ever seen has used a caddy to mount either a HDD or SSD into the chassis.

I have used a caddy to replace the ODD.
Caddy
In the place of the HDD I installed a small SSD (120G) for windows and programs and on the caddy I installed the HDD for data (moved C:\Users to D:\Users)

zbook said:

Pages 50, 60, 64 in the service manual has some images: (first model)
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03916100

This is the next model: (G2)
Pages 40 and 52 in the service manual have some images:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04493862






The computer is out of Warranty but HP accepted the telephone call.
They said the flash cache is PCI whereas the SSD SATA is rate limited.
So they recommended to continue using the flash cache even when switching from HD to SSD.
(No links were provided)

Your first link says that the 32MB cache is mSATA. Not PCI-Express. If that is true, there is no advantage to using it with an SSD.

I have a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO stuck in a cheap Lenovo laptop. Doesn't quite make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but it the fastest booting PC that I have. The 860 Evo is more current. SAMSUNG 860 EVO Series 2.5" 1TB SATA III V-NAND 3-bit MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-76E1T0B/AM - Newegg.com

bobkn said:

Your first link says that the 32MB cache is mSATA. Not PCI-Express. If that is true, there is no advantage to using it with an SSD.

This was displayed in the owners manual: (page 54)
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03902098

Intel Smart Response Technology (select models only)Intel® Smart Response Technology (SRT) is an Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (RST) caching feature that significantly enhances computer system performance.

SRT allows computers with a SSD mSATA module to be used as cache memory between the system memory and hard disk drive.

This provides the advantage of having a hard disk drive (or a RAID volume) for maximum storage capacity while simultaneously delivering SSD enhanced system performance experience.
If you add or upgrade a hard drive and intend to set a RAID volume, you must temporarily disable SRT, set the RAID volume, and then enable SRT.
To temporarily disable SRT:
1.From the Start screen, type Intel, and then select Intel Rapid Storage Technology.
2.In the Status link under Performance, click the Disable link.
3.Wait for the Acceleration Mode to complete.
4.Click the Enable link.
IMPORTANT:You must temporarily disable SRT when changing RAID modes.
Make the change and then re-enable SRT.
Failure to temporarily disable this feature will prevent you from creating or changing RAID volumes.
NOTE:HP does not support SRT with self-encrypting drives (SEDs).



As you commented the flash cache is mSATA.
If the HD is replaced with a SSD then there no longer appears to be any advantages.

I'm using a G2 now which has a SSD.

Maybe this base model computer should be salvage with the HD at end of life?
Guesstimating $100 (depending on the drive size) to convert this into a spare working computer.
A spare is not needed at this time.

The mSATA cache SSD may be much slower than current SSDs.
Did you boot from a WinPE and tested the mSATA performance?
I would say that with a good SSD as main drive, the mSATA isn't necessary and can even slow down the performance.