Need Help with Adding a Second M.2 SSD
Asked by
CuriousCat123
Hey everyone! I'm a first-time poster here and I've run into a bit of a snag while trying to expand my storage. I just opened up my prebuilt computer to install a second M.2 SSD, but I discovered that the second slot is occupied by a WiFi card that's soldered to the motherboard. I'm hesitant to tamper with it. Do you think I should consider getting an M.2 expansion slot instead? If so, what kinds would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help!
Answers
Honestly, I’d go for a SATA drive for additional storage. It's an easy fix and will give you more space without the hassles.
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If you're looking to avoid messing with the WiFi card, an M.2 NVMe to PCIe adapter could be a good solution for you. It would allow you to add your SSD without disturbing the existing setup.
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Consider leaving the WiFi card in place. It might come in handy later, and most motherboards only allocate two PCIe lanes to M.2 slots used for WiFi, which means you'd cut your NVMe SSD's bandwidth down. Also, different M.2 cards can have varying keys, so you might need an adapter for that. If it’s really a struggle, you could just add a SATA SSD. They are slower, but in practical use, the speed difference isn't always significant.
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I understand where you're coming from about the WiFi card! If your friend mostly uses Ethernet, maybe disconnecting the WiFi card is an option, but it's definitely risky if it's not your PC. Just weigh the pros and cons!
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