Configuring SSD1 and SSD2 NVMe Drives As One Drive

[toborM]

Can someone please point me to an expert article regarding the following questions. I have searched here at HP Community and the web as well, but not finding the specific answers to my questions:

1.  I have a 256GB NVMe drive in the SSD1 slot and no drive in the SSD2 slot. Can I remove the 256GB in SSD1 and replace it with a 1TB in the SSD1 slot?

2.  If no to question 1, is there a storage size limit on how much GB/TB I can install in the SSD2 slot?

3.  My SSD2 slot is behind my NVidia GPU and there is not enough room to add a heat sink on top of it. Is the heat sink required?

4.  Regardless of storage size, the HP store sells NVMe for over $800, yet other sources are selling 1TB and lower for under $200. What am I missing that the HP SSDs are way more expensive?

5.  How can I combine SSD1 and SSD2 as one C: drive?

Thanks Community.

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@toborM,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

1.) Yes, you can.  If the 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD in the SSD1 slot happens to be your primary (boot) drive, install the 1TB drive first in the SSD2 slot and clone it using a freeware cloning software utility program such as Macrium Free Reflect, and once you have cloned it, shutdown your PC/remove AC power/push your PC's power button to release residual power and swap drives. Upon restarting your PC and confirming that your PC boots up fine through the 1TB drive, reformat the now secondary M.2 NVMe SSD.

2.) There is no real M.2 NVMe SSD storage limit, only a checkbook limit ($). If you could afford it, get 2 x 4TB M.2 drives.  Heck, Corsair released a whopping 8TB (!) M.2 NVMe Gen4 SSD (Corsair MP600 PRO XT 8TB Gen4 PCIe x4 NVMe M.2 SSD - Up to 7,000 MB/s Sequential Read and 6,100 MB/s Write Speeds) -of course, this platinum gadget comes at a premium: $1,190.  Better call your banker.

3.) These two M.2 NVMe copper M.2 NVMe SSD heatsinks worked out great for me, and should fit just fine -especially the 4mm option in cramped spaces:

A.) 4mm copper heatsink: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FVMN7N/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B083FVMN7N&pd_rd_w=Vc4dj&con....

B.) 10mm copper heatsink: https://www.amazon.com/Awxlumv-Heatsink-Copper-Cooler-Computer/dp/B08MV44567/ref=sr_1_11?crid=3AIQ1L....

If time is not of the essence for you, you can get these heatsinks much cheaper via AliExpress, for example. Or browse eBay.

4.) Well, let's call a spade a spade here: objectively, HP often offers after-market products, add-ons and spare parts at inflated prices.  Go for Samsung, Crucial, Silicon Power, etc. M.2 NVMe SSDs through your favorite eCommerce company (such as Amazon or Newegg).

5.) You cannot.  They are physically and electronically separate drives and will remain so until the end of times.  You may want to consider retiring the 256GB drive.  For modern standards, it is just too small to function as a secondary storage drive.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[toborM]

Thanks NonSequitur777!!!

[NonSequitur777]

@toborM,

You are very welcome -I am happy I could assist.

Live long and prosper.

🖖

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777