How to upgrade the SSD in your Lenovo Legion Y740

Lenovo fabricated it relatively easy to swap out RAM and storage in its updated Legion Y700 series of gaming laptops, allowing you lot to go on your device relevant further into the future. The 15- and 17-inch Legion Y740 models are available with both a 2.five-inch hard-deejay drive (HDD) and an M.ii PCIe solid-country drive (SSD), giving yous a few options at checkout and giving you more flexibility for upgrades. In this guide, we'll show you how to add together or upgrade the Yard.2 SSD in the 15-inch Y740 and the larger 17-inch model.

Hardware and software to become the task done

One thousand.2 PCIe NVMe SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus (From $87 at Amazon)
SSD enclosure for cloning: ElecGear M.2 PCIe enclosure ($50 at Amazon)
Cloning tool: Macrium Reflect 7 (Complimentary at Macrium)
Forestall damage: Rosewill anti-static wristband ($6 at Amazon)
All required tools: ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)
15-inch gaming laptop: Lenovo Legion Y740 15 (From $1,596 at Lenovo)
17-inch gaming laptop: Lenovo Legion Y740 17 (From $i,840 at Lenovo)

How to upgrade the M.2 SSD in your Lenovo Legion Y740

Note: Before offset any upgrades on a PC, it's a good idea to dorsum up your information in the unlikely effect something should become incorrect. You'll besides desire to ensure y'all're not working in a static-filled environment, as it can cause impairment to a PC'south internal hardware. Consider investing in an anti-static wristband to avert unnecessary harm.

At that place are quite a few Legion Y740 configurations available in both sizes, and y'all can opt for a lone i TB HDD (which tin too be upgraded), a alone PCIe SSD in a few sizes, or a combination of the 2. The SSD provided is generally a speedy Samsung PM981, just Lenovo only offers sizes up to 512 GB. If you plan on running most of your games on an SSD for meliorate operation, that infinite will fill up up fast, particularly with Windows 10 taking a bite.

If y'all take a Y740 with an existing M.2 PCIe SSD, we recommend cloning data to the replacement SSD using an external SSD enclosure. This ensures you won't accept to reinstall Windows 10 after the upgrade, and all your files and information will be in the same spot. Also, if you lot're adding an M.ii PCIe SSD to a Legion Y740 with only an HDD, you might desire to clone Windows ten and any other apps over to the new SSD to improve kick speeds and overall functioning.

We've had success using Macrium Reflect to clone and take even written a consummate guide to help you get the job done. Samsung as well makes a cloning tool for apply with its hardware. Alternatively, yous can do a clean install of Windows 10, simply know that you'll essentially be starting from scratch.

Once y'all've backed up your information and have completed any necessary cloning, you tin go on with the SSD upgrade process. Both the 15- and 17-inch versions of the Y740 take the M.2 SSD slot in the same general expanse. We're using the 15-inch Y740 for the guide, so if you have the 17-inch version, don't be alarmed if everything inside the laptop isn't quite laid out the same as in our photos. Clear out a well-lit workspace and exist sure to power off the laptop before removing its back panel.

Unscrew the eleven fasteners on the back plate of the Legion Y740 using a Philips-head screwdriver. The aluminum panel and the plastic venting come off every bit one slice.
Pry up the lesser panel using a pry tool or your pollex. Start with the front corners and work your way slowly around the entire panel to forbid damage.
Unscrew the single silver fastener holding the M.2 SSD in place using a Philips-head screwdriver. Once loose, the SSD should popular up and remain at an angle.
Slide the M.2 SSD out of the slot. Be careful not to pull information technology upwardly too far lest you harm the Grand.2 slot.
Insert the new Chiliad.two SSD in the slot. Detect that it is keyed and will only fit ane way.
Screw in the single argent fastener at the end of the M.2 SSD. Exercise non overtighten.
Supersede the silicone pad on top of the SSD. This helps dissipate heat.
Supercede the bottom panel of the laptop, applying pressure around the edges and in the center. You should hear the panel snap into place when information technology's seated properly.
Screw in the 11 fasteners on the back panel.

You're now free to boot upwardly your Legion Y740 and check to run across if the storage upgrade went according to programme. If Windows 10 doesn't automatically recognize your new bulldoze, bank check out our guide on how to format a new bulldoze to go it working properly.

Our elevation hardware and software picks

Our pick for an upgrade M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD is Samsung'south 970 EVO Plus. It's incredibly fast, information technology'due south long-lasting, and it's relatively cheap for the performance you're getting.

Blazing SSD speeds

Samsung 970 EVO Plus

Unreal performance up to 1 TB in size

Samsung'due south 970 EVO Plus brings blistering read and write speeds, a competitive price, and a v-year warranty, which altogether is an impressive package. Sizes start at 250 GB and go up to i TB.

The smaller 15-inch Legion Y740 is an outstanding gaming laptop that stays absurd merely offers impressive functioning. Get upwards to an RTX 2070 GPU and accept advantage of storage and RAM upgrades to keep it relevant into the hereafter.

15-inch gaming laptop

Legion Y740 fifteen

Quiet, cool, and powerful

An RTX 2070 GPU and hexa-core Intel Core i7-8750H CPU doesn't continue this gaming laptop from running cool. It's all wrapped upward in an aluminum chassis that is priced competitively.

If 15 inches just isn't enough screen infinite for your gaming needs, the 17-inch Legion Y740 should fit the bill. Information technology's also bachelor with the more powerful NVIDIA RTX 2080 GPU, and information technology as well offers easy upgrades to storage and RAM.

17-inch gaming laptop

Legion Y740 17

Portable loftier-end gaming

Get ridiculous functioning at a cost lower than much of the competition, all wrapped up in a mature aluminum chassis with programmable RGB keyboard and lighted exhaust vents.

Additional Equipment

To make the upgrade procedure easier and less risky, consider investing in some of these affordable PC tools, and don't forget about Macrium Reflect and an external enclosure for those who want to clone drives.

ElecGear 1000.two PCIe enclosure ($l at Amazon)

If y'all're cloning the original SSD to the new SSD, an external enclosure is needed. This choice from ElecGear fits Grand.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs and can connect back to your Legion Y740 with USB-C or USB-A.

Macrium Reflect 7 (Gratuitous at Macrium)

Nosotros've had success cloning drives with Macrium Reflect 7, and have fifty-fifty written a complete guide on how to use it properly. A costless edition is available, just you can purchase a full edition with a bunch more than features for those who truly take backups seriously.

ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)

Having the proper gear to work on your PC volition always make the task much easier. Here you get a plethora of tools contained in a portable case.

Rosewill anti-static wristband ($6 at Amazon)

Static electricity can impairment sensitive PC parts, so remove the adventure with an anti-static wristband. Fasten it around your wrist and prune it onto your PC for peace of mind.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

These are the best Netgear routers available now

Buyer's guide

These are the best Netgear routers bachelor now

Beloved Netgear and want to improve your dwelling cyberspace? Nosotros've rounded up the best routers available now, whether you're looking to game, set upward a mesh network, or just enjoy lag-costless internet in your home.