500 GB hard drive for ASUS laptop: complete selection and installation guide

Laptops ASUS are some of the most popular devices on the market, but over time, even reliable models begin to slow down due to a full or outdated drive. Replacing the hard drive with 500 GB — the optimal solution for those who want to increase their storage capacity without extra costs or upgrade a slow one HDD to quick SSD. However, not every drive is suitable for your model: it is important to consider the form factor, connection interface, and even the height of the case.

In this article we will look at how to choose the right one 500 GB hard drive for laptop ASUS (including series VivoBook, ZenBook, ROG and budget models), what to look for when purchasing, and we will give step-by-step instructions for replacement. You will also find a comparison of the best models HDD And SSD 2026 with prices and characteristics - to make an informed choice without overpaying.

Which disk type should I choose: HDD or 500 GB SSD?

The first question that arises when upgrading is which is better: traditional HDD (hard drive) or modern SSD (solid state drive). Both options are available in volumes 500 GB, but differ in speed, reliability and price.

HDD 500 GB suitable if:

• 💰 Your budget is limited (price is 2-3 times lower than SSD the same volume).
• 📁 You need a lot of space to store files (photos, videos, archives), but download speed is not critical.
• 🔧 Are you ready to put up with noise and vibration (relevant for older models ASUS).

500 GB SSD worth choosing if:

• ⚡ Speed is important to you: loading Windows in 10-15 seconds, launching programs instantly.
• 🔇 You value silence and lack of vibrations (relevant for ultrabooks ZenBook).
• 💥 You often work with heavy applications (Photoshop, AutoCAD, games).
• 🛡️ You need shock resistance (no moving parts).

Important: if your laptop ASUS released after 2018, most likely it already contains SSD format M.2. In this case, replace it with HDD it won’t work - just on another one SSD. You can check the drive type using Device Manager (section "Disk devices") or program CrystalDiskInfo.

Form factor and interface: which is suitable for ASUS?

Laptops ASUS Supports several types of drives. An error in choosing a form factor or interface will result in the drive simply not fitting into the case or not being recognized by the system. Let's look at the main options:

1. 2.5" SATA (standard for HDD and SSD)

• 📏 Size: 100 × 70 × 7 or 9.5 mm (height).
• 🔌 Interface: SATA III (speed up to 6 Gbps).
• 💻 Suitable for: Most laptops ASUS until 2020 (X550, K550, R558 etc.).

2. M.2 (for modern SSDs)

• 📏 Size: 2242, 2260 or 2280 (numbers indicate length in mm).
• 🔌 Interface: SATA or NVMe (the second one is 5-6 times faster).
• 💻 Suitable for: Ultrabooks ZenBook, gaming ROG and models after 2018.

3. mSATA (obsolete format)

• 📏 Size: mini version SATA, found in laptops from 2012-2016.
• 💻 Suitable for: ASUS K53, X53, N56 etc.

wmic diskdrive get model,size,interfaceType

⚠️ Attention: Some models ASUS (For example, ROG Zephyrus) the drive is soldered to the motherboard. In this case, replacement is impossible without specialized equipment. Check the documentation for your model or use the service ASUS support.

Top 5 500 GB hard drives for ASUS laptops in 2026

We analyzed the market and selected the best models HDD And SSD 500 GB, compatible with laptops ASUS. The table below shows the key characteristics, pros and cons of each option.

🔹 Lifehack: If you choose between Samsung 870 EVO And Crucial P3, focus on the interface of your laptop. For SATA take it Samsung — it is faster than competitors in this segment. For NVMe Crucial P3 offers the best price/performance ratio.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the hard drive in an ASUS laptop

Replacing a disk is a simple process, but requires care. Below is a universal instruction suitable for most models ASUS (exception is ultrabooks with soldered memory). Before starting work necessarily:

• 🔋 Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger.
• 🔄 Back up your data (you can use Macrium Reflect or built-in Windows tools).
• ⚡ Discharge static electricity by touching a metal object.

Step 1. Removing the back cover

Most laptops ASUS They have a removable cover that is secured with screws. Use a Phillips screwdriver (usually PH0 or PH1). In some models (for example, ZenBook) the lid may have latches - pry it off with a plastic card.

Step 2: Removing the old drive

The drive is usually located in a separate compartment and secured with 2-4 screws. Carefully unplug it from the connector SATA or M.2 (do not pull the wires!). If the disk is glued with a thermal pad (relevant for ROG), warm it up with a hairdryer at minimum temperature.

Step 3: Install a new drive

Insert the new drive into the slot and secure with screws. For M.2 SSD make sure it fits tightly into the slot (the latch should click). Don't try too hard!

Step 4. Assembly and testing

Close the lid, turn on the laptop and check if the disk is recognized in BIOS (click F2 or Del when loading). If the drive is not visible, recheck the connection.

Power and battery disconnected (if removable)|

Data backup made to external media |

Screwdrivers prepared (Phillips, sometimes Torx) |

The compatibility of the new disk with the laptop model has been checked |

The workplace is cleared of small parts (screws are easily lost) -->

⚠️ Attention: In laptops ASUS ROG Strix And TUF Sometimes additional fastening of the disk to the radiator is used. Do not remove the thermal pad unless necessary - this may cause overheating.

How to transfer the system to a new disk without reinstalling?

If you replace the drive and don't want to install Windows again, you can clone the old system to the new drive. For this you will need:

• 🖥️ External adapter USB-SATA (or USB-M.2 for NVMe).
• 💾 Cloning program (Macrium Reflect Free, Clonezilla, AOMEI Backupper).
• ⏳ Time (the process takes from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of data).

Instructions for cloning using Macrium Reflect:

1. Connect the new drive to your laptop via an adapter.
2. Run Macrium Reflect and select the old disk as the source.
3. Specify the new drive as the target and click Clone this disk.
4. In the cloning settings, select Sector by sector copy (if you need to copy all sectors) or Intelligent Sector Copy (only occupied sectors).
5. Once complete, disconnect the old drive and boot from the new one.

⚠️ Attention: If you clone HDD on SSD, after transferring the system, be sure to enable the command trim on Windows. To do this:

1. Run Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
2. Enter:

   fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0

Common mistakes when replacing a disk and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes encounter problems after replacing a drive. We have collected the most common errors and ways to solve them:

1. The disk is not detected in the BIOS

Reasons:

• 🔌 Loose connection (check the connector SATA/M.2).
• 🔧 Interface incompatibility (for example, NVMe in slot SATA).
• 🔋 No food (relevant for HDD - check the cable).

2. Windows does not boot after cloning

Solutions:

• 🔄 Check the boot order in BIOS (the new disk should come first).
• 🛠️ Recover bootloader via Command Prompt:

  bootrec /fixmbr
  bootrec /fixboot
  bootrec /scanos
  bootrec /rebuildbcd

3. Low SSD speed

If SSD runs slower than expected:

• 🔧 Make sure the mode is turned on AHCI in BIOS (not IDE).
• 🧹 Clean your disk from unnecessary files (use CCleaner or built-in utility Disk Cleanup).
• 🔄 Update the firmware SSD through the manufacturer's utility (for example, Samsung Magician).

🔹 Advice: If after replacing the drive the laptop begins to overheat, check whether the new drive is interfering with the cooling system. Some models ASUS (For example, ROG GL553) the disk is located next to the radiator - make sure that the thermal pad is in place.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions