Need to install an additions SSD in a HP Z640 Workstation

[CGraphics]

I just got a new Z640 Workstation, which came with a 256GB SSD.  I want to install a 1TB SSD and was looking at getting a Samsung 960 PRO Series - 1TB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6P1T0BW).  I plan on using the current 256 SSD for boot up and programs, and then store all of my files, etc. on the 1TB SSD. 

My questions are:

-Will the Samsung 960 PRO Series - 1TB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6P1T0BW) work with this computer?

-If it will work, how and where on the motherboard do I install the Samsung SSD?

-If this SSD wont work, what other options do I have?  Speed is critical for my business.

I have little to no experience working on computers, so hopefully this isn't too complicated.

Thanks for your time.

[BambiBoomZ]

CGraphics,

Yes, the Samsung 960 Pro will work on a z640.  The zX40 series is the first to have native support for NMVe memory.

You will need a PCIe to M.2 Adapter, a PCIe card  which mounts the 960 Pro. If you're rendering or doing long, memory-intensive processes, have a look at M.2 cooling solutions, typically heatsinks and thermal pads, but there are a couple of cards with fans. If you think you'll ever need another M.2, consider a card that mounts two drives. I use an HP Z Turbo Drive- (Samsung SM951), as the cooling solution is very good- a big cast heatsink.

The PCIe adapter is inserted into a PCIe slot that is PCIe 3.0 x4 - the x4 is the number of PCIe lanes it controls to provide the full bandwidth and performance.  See page 11 of the z640 User Manual >

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04823811

> and on the motherboard diagram, the proper slot will be the 4th from the top, which is PCIe 3.0 x8.  

I might mention that on the Passmark Hard Drive Benchmark Chart:

https://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/hdd_list.php

> the 960 Pro 1TB has an average Disk Rating of 15207 (No. 13) while the 960 Evo 1TB scores an average of 15529 (No. 10) for about half the price. That could be anomalous- one guy has one installed upside down and it scores -12.

What programs are you using?

BambiBoomZ

HP z620_2 (2017) (Rev 2) > Xeon E5-1680 v2 (8-core@ 4.3GHz)  / z420 Liquid Cooling / 64GB DDR3-1866 ECC Reg / Quadro P2000 5GB / HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 256GB / HP/LSI 9212-41 RAID Controller + Intel 730 480GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB + Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB / ASUS Essence STX PCIe sound card / 825W PSU /> Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit  > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H  (2560 X 1440) / Logitech z2300 2.1 Sound

[CGraphics]

Thank you for the reply! 

I normally run 5 programs at once.  Thunderbird, Firefox, CorelDraw X5, Adobe Photoshop and Roland Versaworks (large format printer driver program).  I do graphic design, and work roughly 8-10 hour days, with these programs constantly running.  Effeciency is my main goal, i.e. not waiting for a program to respond!

The current 256GB Turbo Z opens and runs these programs very, very quickly and well.  However, I currently have all of my files, etc. on an external drive which is rather slow.

One other option I was considering was another HP Turbo Z SSD, 1tb.  Do you know which would be faster and/or more reliable?  It looks like this would be easier to install.  The cost difference isn't a huge factor for me, I just want to be able to do the intall easily and of course have everything run smoothly once I'm done.

[BambiBoomZ]

CGraphics,

That's a demanding set of applications- It's understandable that the system needs a fast disk and I presume quite a lot of memory.  I often use several at once as well: Corel Technical Designer X6, AutoCad for 2D CAD, Sketchup for 3D CAD, VRay  rendering, WordPerfect Office for text, and often run two instances of Firefox.  3D CAD is CPU single-thread intensive and rendering is memory and disk intensive. I plan to switch 3D to 3ds Max and Solidworks in the future

I am not aware of the exact performance levels of the current generation of HP Z Turbo drives, but as they are non-proprietary drives that are mounted on boards and optimized for HP z-series, I expect they will perform well above the average M.2 drive on which they are based- as does the Z-Turbo 256GB G1 I in the z620 /E5-1680 v2 system.

Importantly, the Z Turbos have such a good thermal solution, I think they are worth a premium.  I've read so many mentions of thermal throttling in M.2- some can overheat in only a few seconds that I would buy any future M.2 with the thermal solution as an integral part of the shopping. there are options: I have an PCIe M.2 adapter with a fan and there are add-on heatsinks and thermal pads that are effective, but it depends on the willingness (=time) to experiment and anyway, one might spend $60+ on the adapter card plus the thermal solution.

BambiboomZ

[CGraphics]

BambiBoomZ,

Thank you so much for your replies.  Considering what you said about the HP Tubro Z drives, it sounds like this will be the way to go!  It will probably be the easiest to install as well.  A big bonus for me!

All the best,
CGraphics