Adding additional M2 drive?

[malrobins]

The specs of this PC  state:
Expansion slots: 1 M.2 2230; 1 M.2 2280; 1 PCIe 3 x1; 1 PCIe 4 x16
(1 M.2 2230 slot for WLAN or storage and 1 M.2 2280 slot for storage.)

I can't see any M2 expansion slots. Just the one SSD factory fitted in the middle of the board.

There are two blanked of expansion ports, one X16 PCI, and one X1 PCI.

So where is the M2 slot for storage?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

When you read the motherboard specifications, you have to assume you are looking at a completely bare motherboard with nothing installed.

In other words, you can't install two M.2 Wi-Fi cards or two M.2 NVMe SSD's if those slots are already occupied.

[malrobins]

HP sold it as having these expansion slots. The main drive is shown as 'internal storage'.

The  'expansion slots' are listed separately.
From the Data Sheet : "Expansion that extends your investment
The HP Pro SFF 400 has an m.2 slot for WLAN and one for storage, one PCIe x16 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot."

I see the PCI slots. But not the M2.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Here's an eBay listing of a 400 G9 motherboard.

For HP ProDesk 400G9 SFF motherboard,M99753-001,601,M81601-001,M81602-001,ID8954 | eBay

It has one M2 slot for a Wi-Fi adapter and one M.2 slot for a NVMe SSD.

The slots are labeled accordingly on the motherboard.

It is as I wrote...

[malrobins]

In which case, they are not expansion slots but are already filled with essential bits.
My understanding of 'expansion' is they are available. Apparently not in this case.
Very bad sales pitch in my view.

Anyway, thank you  for the input.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You are not the first, nor the last that has looked at the specs in the manner you did.

If the PC did not have a M.2 wireless adapter or a M.2 SSD, those slots would have been available for use and the sales pitch would have been 100% accurate.

Many 400 G9's only come with SATA hard drives.

It depends on the configuration.

HP ProDesk 400 G9 Desktops PC´s

[malrobins]

Yes I take your point but the sales pitch is clearly wrong and I intend to take it further.
Not that I'll get anywhere.............................

[malrobins]

would you happen to know if it's worth getting the PCIe adapter to fit another M2?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

If you only plan on using the additional M.2 drive for storage only, it might be worth it.

Here's the issue:

if you use the PCIe x1 slot the drive is only going to run at 1/4 of its maximum advertised read/write speeds.

If you use the slot designed for the PCIe x16 graphics card, then it will run at its maximum advertised read/write speeds but then you can't install a graphics card if you want to in the future.

They sell different adapters based on the slot you intend to install it in.

You will only need a PCIe x 4 adapter if you want to install it in the graphics card slot.

GLOTRENDS PA09-HS M.2 NVMe to PCIe 4.0 X4 Adapter with M.2 Heatsink for 2280/2260/2242/2230 M.2 NVMe...

But you will need a PCIe x1 adapter if you want to install it in the PCIe x1 slot.

GLOTRENDS PA09-X1 M.2 NVMe to PCIe X1 Adapter for 2230/2242/2260/2280 M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe X1 Installa...

[malrobins]

I don't plan on adding a graphics card so this sounds good to me. Thank you!!