Hey everyone! I built my first PC last year after quite a break from the tech world and I'm running into a bit of a snag. My motherboard is the GIGABYTE B650 Eagle AX, which has room for up to three M.2 2280 SSDs. I originally installed a Crucial P3 Plus 1TB SSD, but I've already filled it up and need more storage—I'm considering getting a 2-4TB SSD to install alongside it. However, I can't find where the second SSD would go. I've got the current SSD installed in the slot marked M.2 SSD with Gen5, situated between the CPU and the graphics card. I've heard conflicting info about whether this is a Gen4 slot instead of Gen5, which has confused me even more. I checked online for motherboard photos and the manual, but I'm still lost! Could anyone provide some guidance on where to install the second SSD? Thanks!
2 Answers
It's likely that the M.2 slots are all lined up on the board, so you should be able to find an empty slot. Generally, they will be next to each other, and you'll just need to slot in your new SSD in the open space. Don't forget to check for any thermal pads or screws you might need to secure it!
Have you checked the manual for your motherboard? It usually shows the exact locations for the M.2 slots. If you're seeing three slots, they typically don't stack on top of each other; they should be lined up, just like the manual likely outlines. It might help to double-check yours to clarify the layout!

Thanks for the tips! I’ll look again to see if there's a clear slot. Appreciate it!