Format New Seagate 1TB SSHD

Background:

I have a mid 2011 MBP w/OS X 10.6.8, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM (I will be upgrading the RAM if this all goes ok).

I am changing out the original HDD in my mid 2011 MBP tomorrow...It makes a whirring and whistling noise and I get the BB frequently. I've known for about a year it was going bad...Just now getting the time to take care of it bc it's been a crappy year.

I am also currently downloading El Capitan in order to do a fresh install on the new HD and I plan to make a bootable USB with El Cap on it.I have my USB (thumb) drive already formatted for just this purpose.

I do a lot of photography and would like to use the newer versions of Lightroom and PS and would like my editing software to actually recognize the files from my camera without having to use an additional program from Adobe to convert them. I haven't even been using my camera, at all, bc it is a PITA to edit anything, and that makes me sad. 😟

I was able to finally do another Time Machine back up this evening to my dedicated Time Machine EHD (formatted for Mac, journaled).

I am a bit concerned because I have read there are issues with El Capitan and not being able to write info from EHD's....

Question(s):

While I feel fairly confident I will not run into any issues with the actual task of replacing the HD, I am concerned because I know it needs to be formatted to work properly. This is where I am getting tons of conflicting info and confusion sets in. I dislike going to the Genius Bar, so I'd like to avoid that.

I've seen SO MANY posts online about this...and this is the only part that makes me nervous. My original HDD is almost done, I can hear it whining. A lot.

I am a nurse, not an IT gal so I need, like, very straightforward info and instructions on how to format the new Seagate (Hybrid) 1TB SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive).

Please, if you hate this drive or have personal feelings about it, that is fine. I'm a live and let live type, but please no opinions or comments about my choice from the Peanut Gallery. 😉

Additional Deets:

I am not interested in using carbon copy cloner right now, or ever.

As far as I can tell Disk Utility will do the same exact thing should I chose to clone my old HDD. Honestly, there is SO much junk on this HDD that I want to try and avoid most of it. But, I did purchase an enclosure thingy to keep it, just in case.

I have another (storage) EHD with just photos, very important docs, my Lightroom libraries, etc (total of two backups, including the dedicated Time Machine EHD of all my really important info).

So, please help me out here...I posted a question about the HDD noises and never got a response.

I figure if it doesn't go well I will just ship everything back to Amazon and purchase a new iMac for my editing and computing needs...But, I like my MBP and haven't had any issues until this year which have gotten a LOT worse over the last few months.

Thanks in advance! I really do appreciate the help.

The TLDR Version:

Current goods are: Mid 2011 MBP w/OS X 10.6.8, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM

I need help formatting new Seagate 1TB SSHD.

Downloading El Cap to do a fresh install via USB thumb drive and finally upgrade from Snow Cat.

My original HDD is *almost* toast (makes high pitched whining noises, constant beach ball). I bought an enclosure anyway. 😟

Not interested in Carbon Copy Cloner, I'll use Disk Utility if need be.

Used Time Machine to b/u tonight to a Mac formatted TM dedicated EHD (also have another EHD for additional basic b/u and photos, etc).

Want MUST to be able to run the latest versions of LR and PS once El Cap is up and running bc I miss using my camera.

I am a nurse and SO not an IT type but I feel confident doing the surgery, lol.

Need straight forward info on formatting the new SHDD. Thanks. 😝