T420 160GB SSD model ?

Question

Is it true that the Intel 160GB SSD offered in T420 custom builds is still the older X25 model? Or is it now the 320 series? I cannot seem to find a definitive answer anywhere.
I would like a 320 series SSD and if Lenovo is not offering them yet then can someone tell me which specific model of that drive I need to buy and whether any additional rails etc are needed to swap out the stock 320GB/7200 HDD?  I also want to confirm the T420 will be able to utilize a SATA III SSD (6Gb/s) should I feel the need for speed.
Is this the correct intel 320 version: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/796963-REG/Intel_SSDSA2CW160G3K5_160GB_SSD_320_Series.html

Answer 1

There had been rumors that Lenovo was testing the 320 series. I have not seen anything official that the 320 passed Lenovo validation. The T420 can use a SATA III connection. I added the Intel 320 16GB SSD into my machine aftermarket. My machine shipped with a 9.5mm 500GB HDD (bought during a free upgrade special, I now use the drive for backups) so I bought the normal 9mm height 320 to put into the machine. The 320 drive fit perfectly.
Lenovo seems to ship some T420 with 9.5mm HDD and some with 7mm HDD. You will probably want to wait until you have your machine in hand or ask the your rep what height you will have. If you get a 7mm HDD then you would need different rails to fit a 9.5mm SSD. I imagine Lenvo only buys only the 7mm SSDs and uses different rails to fit them into machines as needed. You are better off with the aftermarket 320 as it has a 5 year warranty. I recommend following Lenovo's procedure & creating the system restore disks and then using those to install from. My machine boots faster that way compared to cloning with Intel's cloning tool (rebranded Arconis).
If I were you, I would very careful with the Intel 320 SSD. Some of them have an issue called the 8MB bug. Intel is "aware of the issue;" however, they are otherwise silent on a possible fix or cure. The bug often occurs after "unsafe shutdowns" (holding in the power button, BSOD sudden reboots, and other power issues. The bug causes the SSD to loose all of your data and show up as 8MB to the operating system. A secure erase sometimes makes the drive usable again, but, of course, it is erased so you have lost all the data. My first 320 died within the first day. I am now at about the one week mark with 320 #2. If you want more details see here: http://communities.intel.com/thread/22227?start=0&tstart=0 .
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My TPs: Twist 2HU: i5-3317U Win 8 Pro, 4GB RAM 250GB Samsung 840 | T420 4177CTO: i5-2520M, HD+, Win 7 Pro x64, 8GB RAM, Optimus, 160GB Intel 320 SSD, Intel 6300 WiFi, BT 3.0 | T400 2764CTO: P8700, WXGA, Win 7 Ult x64, AMD 3470, 8GB RAM, 64GB Samsung SSD, BT, Intel 5300 WiFi | A20m 14.1" PIII 500 (retired). Monitors: 2x Dell U2211h IPS 100% sRGB calibrated w/ Spyder3.