HP OMEN SSD Upgrade Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Adding Storage to Your System
If you think you need more space for games or believe it's time to boost system performance, upgrading to an SSD may be the smartest investment you can make. Modern games can require a substantial large amount of storage space. For example, the Call of Duty series, one of the most popular games on console and PC, requires around 120-150 GB of space to install, and with updates this can increase to up to 200 GB.
An SSD upgrade will not only help you increase your storage space, but also noticeably improve your system performance. Moreover, HP OMEN owners can do this themselves: if you are a DIY PC enthusiast, this is an upgrade you can complete without much difficulty. In this guide, you will find the following information:
- General information about HP OMEN laptop SSD upgrade process
- How to install SSD in HP OMEN desktop - step by step
- How to install SSD in HP OMEN laptop - step by step
- Benchmarks about the performance boost you can expect
- Possible problems and solutions
Can I Upgrade the SSD on My OMEN? Compatibility Basics
The HP OMEN Gaming series was created with the expectations and needs of gamers in mind, and upgradability is a common feature of PCs and laptops in this series. In other words, yes, you can upgrade your SSD on your OMEN. However, the upgrade options will vary depending on the specifications of the model you are using. Therefore, it is best to start by identifying your specific OMEN model.
To do this, you will need the serial number, product number, or product name of your HP OMEN. You can find this information on the product label: the label can be on the bottom, side, top, or back of the product. Once you find the required information, enter it in the “identify your product for manuals” search box on the official HP Support website. This will take you to the official support page for your product. Here you can find out what kind of storage solution the product uses and what its form factor is.
Another option is to use the Device Manager feature of Windows. Right-click on the Start button on the Taskbar and click on ‘Device Manager’. Under the ‘Disk Drives’ list, you can see the type and in most cases the capacity of the storage devices on your system.
![A Windows Device Manager interface displays a hierarchical list of computer hardware categories with "Disk drives" highlighted in a red box.](https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/app/assets/images/uploads/prod/A Windows Device Manager interface displays a hierarchical list of computer hardware categories with "Disk drives" highlighted in a red box.1750196786227141.jpg?imwidth=1000&imdensity=1 "A Windows Device Manager interface displays a hierarchical list of computer hardware categories with \"Disk drives\" highlighted in a red box.")
This information applies to both the HP OMEN laptop and the HP OMEN desktop series and is equally important for both.
Choosing the Right SSD for Your HP OMEN
SSDs have undergone many changes over time in terms of form factor, performance, and capacity. SATA SSDs are the first and oldest: they mostly use the SATA III standard and the same connection as traditional HDDs. PCIe SSDs are installed in the slot of the same name on the motherboard and are much faster. NVMe and M.2 are the modern and fastest form factors used in high-end PCs and laptops. The ranking in terms of performance is as follows:
- NVMe
- M.2
- PCIe
- SATA
Generally speaking, if you have multiple SSD upgrade options compatible with your system, we recommend going with the most modern and fastest one. So, if your system supports it, you should consider upgrading to NVMe and/or M.2 SSDs. To choose the capacity, think about your needs: for example, how much space do the games you install usually require? A minimum capacity of 1TB will be enough for most users, but if you want to plan for future needs, feel free to upgrade to 2TB or even more. For maximum compatibility, recommend choosing HP SSDs.
Essential Tools and Preparation for HP OMEN SSD Upgrade
For HP OMEN laptop SSD upgrade, you need the following tools:
- New SSD compatible with your system
- A precision tool kit
- Your laptop's user guide to refer to when you need it
For HP OMEN desktop SSD upgrade you need the following tools:
- New SSD compatible with your system
- Screwdriver
- A SATA data cable if using a SATA SSD
- Your desktop PC's user guide for reference when you need it
Before you start, keep in mind that you will also need backup/cloning software such as Acronis TrueImage, and you will need to create a clone of your existing disk first. Clean your workspace and always unplug your device before opening it. Do not plug in your device until you are finished.
How to Install SSD in HP OMEN Laptop: Step-by-Step Guide
- Turn off and unplug your HP OMEN laptop. If the battery is removable, remove the battery.
- Locate the access panel using your user guide, then open the access panel by removing the screws.
- Carefully remove the existing disk. Pay attention to the location of the cables and/or slots.
- Insert the new SSD in the same slot, using the same cables (if necessary).
- Close the access panel, put the battery back in if you removed it, and turn on the laptop.
- Make sure you see the SSD in the BIOS/UEFI screen.
- Install your operating system and restore your system using the clone you created.
How to Install SSD in HP OMEN Desktop: Complete Instructions
In this example, we will use the HP OMEN 40L and 25L models. The HP OMEN 40L SSD upgrade is identical to the 25L and you can use the same steps.
- Turn off and unplug your computer. Remove all cables from the back.
- Open the side panel by unscrewing the screws on the back.
- Find the M.2 SSD slot on the motherboard. Some models have two M.2 SSD slots, and one of them may be empty. You can insert the new SSD into the empty slot or replace the existing one.
- Unscrew the screw that connects the SSD to the slot and allow it to lift up slightly. Carefully pull it out of the slot.
5. Insert the new SSD into the same slot and screw it in.
6. Close the side panel and reconnect all the cables you removed.
7. Turn on the PC and make sure you see the SSD in the BIOS/UEFI screen.
8. Install your operating system and restore your system using the clone you created.
On the HP OMEN 40L and 25L models, you can also use 2.5” SATA SSDs. You can use the larger capacity (and cheaper) SATA SSDs for data storage and the lower capacity (and slightly more expensive) M.2 SSDs for your operating system and games. In both models, the SATA SSD can be installed in the existing 2.5” disk bay. In this case, you will need to use a SATA data cable: pay attention to cable management and make sure they do not obstruct airflow.
Setting Up Your New SSD: Software and Configuration
To start using your new SSD, you need to format it so that Windows recognizes it and reinstall your operating system. To do this, after installing the new SSD:
- Turn on your PC or laptop and enter the BIOS/EFI screen by holding down the F10 key (on some models this may be F1, F2, F12, or Del).
- Set the Windows media (a USB stick or DVD) to be first in the boot order and reboot the system.
- Windows installation will start. Choose ‘Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)’ and set your new SSD as the drive where the operating system will be installed. Windows will automatically format the SSD and complete the installation of the operating system.
- When your computer reboots, restore your game library and other files by restoring the clone file you have created previously. You can find more information about cloning and clone restoration in this article.
Troubleshooting Common HP OMEN SSD Upgrade Issues
Q: New SSD is not recognized in BIOS, what can I do?
A: Check that you have installed the SSD in the correct slot and that the cables, if any, are correctly installed. Even a loose or dislodged cable can cause this problem.
Q: My system does not boot after installing a new SSD, what can I do?
A: You must reinstall your operating system. Start a new Windows installation as usual and select the 'Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)' option.
Q: I'm not getting the performance I expected with my new SSD, what could be the reason?
A: There can be many reasons for this. First, try updating your BIOS and check if there is new firmware for the SSD. Also, make sure that AHCI mode is enabled in the BIOS.
Q: My newly installed SSD is getting very hot; will it cause a problem?
A: It is normal and within limits for SSDs to heat up to around 158.0 °F (70°C). If it gets hotter than this, consider using a cooling pad.
Q: Will my warranty expire if I install a new SSD myself?
A: Upgrading the SSD yourself does not void the warranty as long as you do not damage any other internal parts of your device during the upgrade.
Maximizing Your HP OMEN Experience
Upgrading to a new SSD has advantages in terms of both storage space and system performance, you can access more games or files faster. Moreover, this upgrade is straightforward, so it can be done by almost anyone. To maintain the performance boost you get, check regularly for new firmware releases for your new SSD. Also, consider using a cooling pad if its temperature during operation exceeds 158.0°F (70°C). If you want even more performance, consider upgrading to models like the HP OMEN 35L and 45L. Regardless of which OMEN model you're using, you can enjoy a smoother, faster experience with an HP SSD storage solutions upgrade.
