Can I add a M.2 SSD NVMe to PCIe Adapter card to install an additional m2 ssd

[AsifSaddique 836]

Hi All

I am wanting to install a third m2 ssd in my pc and have used the two slots already.

if i bought a adapter for my pci express slot, can i add a third drive without effected the performance of my pc and without requiring any further configuration.,

thanks



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[TonyCarter]

Yes you can, and as I did in my old machine (I had the Asus HyperX card for 2 extra SSDs, but there are cheaper/simpler pcie adapters on Amazon).

You need to put it in the second PCIe 4.0 slot (just above the 2nd m.2 slot), and a gen3 SSD will be plenty as it will be limited to at x4 speed anyway.

For example…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-NVMe-PCIe-aluminum-EC-PCIE/dp/B084GDY2PW/

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Thanks Tony for your reply. So I just need to get the gen3 version are you saying as gen4 will not make any difference?

Looking at my pc configuration are you able to recommend a 4tb ssd for me please?

The adapter is the one I was going to buy

Also i haven’t checked inside my PC yet but I assume the second pci4.0 slot is the best slot or is that only available?

Im not a expert in pc’s hence all these questions

Thank you

 

[TonyCarter]

Thanks Tony for your reply. So I just need to get the gen3 version are you saying as gen4 will not make any difference?

Looking at my pc configuration are you able to recommend a 4tb ssd for me please?

The adapter is the one I was going to buy

Also i haven’t checked inside my PC yet but I assume the second pci4.0 slot is the best slot or is that only available?

Im not a expert in pc’s hence all these questions

Thank you

Yes, the 2nd slot is PCIe 4.0x4 (the other ones are x1).

You could put a gen4 SSD in there - especially if there's little price difference - but I just meant a gen 3 one would suffice.

PCIe 4.0 x 4 offers upto 8GBPs (with a little overhead) so so about 7000MB/s max; gen3 goes to about 3500MB/s. Depending on what it's been used for, you may not see any significant performance increase between these 2 speeds, so if you can get a gen3 SSD significantly cheaper then it's better value for money.

Faster they go, the more heat they produce, so ensure it's got good cooling blowing across that Sabrent cooling block if you go for the fastest versions.

I'd stay away from Samsung 990 Pro as they don't seem to have the endurance of some of the others (Corsair are good for endurance, but a bit more expensive).

Here's a good value gen4 P3 Plus (4800r/4100w) from Crucial (£209)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CCNCW5QX

As you can see, it's not much more expensive than their older gen3 P3 (3500r/3000w) (£199)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-PCIe-Gen3-NVMe-Internal/dp/B0CCNB5SH5

Another good drive is the WD Black SN850X, it's faster (7300r/6500w) but more expensive at £269...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD_BLACK-SN850X-2280-Gaming-speed/dp/B0B7CQ2CHH/

There is a way to get a cheaper 4TB Corsair Core XT MP600 (5000r/4400w), and that's by ordering it through your PCS account upgrade service. Comes out at about £250.

Everything gets more expensive from therein - e.g. Corsair MP600, Seagate Firecuda, etc. all over £300.

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Thanks. I have decided to get the 2tb version instead, I don’t think I need 4tb tbh.

 

[TonyCarter]

Thanks. I have to get the 2tb version instead, I don’t think I need 4tb tbh.

That opens up the options of Solidigm P41 Plus or faster P44 Pro as well then!

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Any recommendations? Links? before I click buy on Amazon ha! Thks

 

[TonyCarter]

Any recommendations? Links? before I click buy on Amazon ha! Thks

Any of these will do fine (all around £100)...
WD_BLACK SN770 2TB
Crucial P3 Plus 2TB
Crucial P310 2TB
WD Blue SN580 2TB
Corsair MP6000 Core XT

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Many thanks

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Just to double check, this is where i can install it?

 

[TonyCarter]

Yes, that the faster 4x4 slot. The one below is the slower 4x1 slot.

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Thks

 

[AsifSaddique 836]

Hi Tony, did you just one heat thermal pad or all three that come with the adapter?

 

[TonyCarter]

Just one.

The others will be spares for when/if you swap drives in the future…don’t forget to remove any tape that’s covering it, as it should be slightly tacky.