My NVMe SSD worked normally before I replaced an RTX 4060 with an RTX 5060 Ti and swapped my old power supply for a higher-wattage non-modular unit. The new GPU works and the system reaches BIOS, but the NVMe drive is no longer detected.
While installing the graphics card, I had to press it into the PCIe slot and may have put some downward pressure on the motherboard. I also accidentally touched or pressed the board with a screwdriver while trying to release the PCIe slot latch. I cannot see any obvious physical damage, but I am concerned that the M.2 drive, motherboard, or PCIe circuitry could have been affected. The NVMe slot is located near the graphics card installation area, so it is also possible that the drive or its connector was bumped.
I tested the SSD in an NVMe USB enclosure on three different computers. Each computer made the USB connection sound and the enclosure LED came on, but none detected the actual SSD as a usable drive.
Does this testing effectively confirm that the SSD itself has failed? Could GPU installation pressure or a brief screwdriver contact damage the motherboard or SSD without leaving visible marks? Is there any realistic chance that a motherboard or PSU problem could damage a replacement drive as well? I do not have another NVMe drive or integrated graphics available for additional testing.
3 Answers
A motherboard fault could theoretically damage a replacement SSD, but that would not be the first assumption here. The new PSU is unlikely to be responsible if it is a reputable unit and all of its permanently attached cables were used; never reuse modular cables from the old PSU with a different power supply. Before installing another drive, inspect the M.2 slot for debris or physical damage and verify that the PSU is a reliable model with properly seated connections. Based on the symptoms, though, replace or warranty the original SSD first rather than assuming the entire motherboard is bad.
The SSD is the most likely failed component. If it is not detected through a known-good NVMe USB enclosure on three separate computers, the problem is probably inside the drive rather than in your motherboard’s M.2 slot. The enclosure lighting up only proves that the enclosure is receiving USB power; it does not prove that the SSD is communicating.
I would stop repeatedly powering it on if the data is important and contact the SSD manufacturer about warranty replacement or professional data recovery. GPU installation normally would not damage an SSD unless the card or a tool directly struck the drive or its socket.
Check the physical area around the M.2 slot for a cracked PCB, damaged connector, displaced mounting screw, or marks from the graphics card, but a clean visual inspection cannot rule out an electrical failure. Since the drive fails in multiple computers, testing the motherboard with another known-good NVMe SSD is the only useful way to separate a bad slot from a bad drive—but the enclosure results already strongly point to the original SSD.
I tried to keep the graphics card aligned while installing it, but I was worried that pressure near the slot might have reached the NVMe area. I will inspect the drive and connector closely, although I understand that hidden damage may not be visible.