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HP Recommended

Hi, I've gotten hold of a second hand HP Z620 workstation but it seems that there is no HDD or SDD installed.
How do I know where to place / install the main drive, preferably a SSD, and how do I know what kind of connection it is?
There are numerous labels on the casing but I haven't been able to find a number on it that could provide me with some probable relevent info concerning technical data.

My old desktop needs updating / replacing and I thought of this Z620 being a possible candidate due to limited budget.

 

Thanks, Dan

14 REPLIES 14
HP Recommended

Hi, Dan:

 

I recommend you review the service manual to familiarize yourself with the PC.

 

c04205252.pdf (hp.com)

 

Chapter 3, page 93...

 

For the boot hard drive/SSD you connect the drives SATA data connector the SATA 0 port.

 

HP Recommended

Hi Paul, thank you !
It seems that only a HDD can be used as a SSD isn't mentioned (or can it?) on page 95.
page 93 is for the Z420

HP Recommended

You're very welcome, Dan.

 

There wouldn't be any reason I can think of why you couldn't install a 2.5" SATA SSD in the PC

 

I use an adapter like this to fit the SSD where the 3.5" hard drive mounts on my desktop PC's.

 

It is the size of a standard hard drive.

 

2,5'' naar 3,5'' harde schijf adapter, SANZANG 2,5 naar 3,5 SATA HDD SSD montagebeugel converter met...

 

The HP Quickspecs for the model series indicates HP offered 2.5" SATA SSD's:  See page 3.

 

4aa4-0129enuc.pdf (hp.com)

HP Recommended

Ok, thanks 🙂

Are there specifics to be taken in mind when choosing a SSD?
I am thinking of this one: Crucial M500 240GB 2,5" SSD

Or this: Kingston skc600

 

I already have a SSD (Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB bought approx. 2015) but because I have it in my current system and don't know if it is that wise to swap it over without a back-up I intend to buy a new. The Crucial costs 25,00 euro and the Kingston 30,00.
Also, the current SSD in use runs W7 pro 64 edition.
On a earlier bought system (before the Z620) there is W10 installed and I intend to use that on the Z620.

It is a bit  sad but I have to do with the limited budget that I have.

The other system is an Acer Veriton 4610 G;

Acer Veriton 4610G
Windows 10
Intel i5 2320 3 GHZ
Ram 4 GB
HDD 500 GB

Which I thought at the time was an upgrade to my current system but turns out it actually is not much at all.

HP Recommended

You're very welcome.

 

Of the two, I'd go with this one since it has slightly better performance.  560/510

 

Crucial MX500 250GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - Up to 560MB/s - CT250MX500SSD1 : Amazon.nl:...

 

The Kingston is 550/500.

 

Kingston Technology KC600 2,5" 256GB serie ATA III 3D TLC : Amazon.nl: Elektronica

 

Now if you are referring to the Crucial BX500, then it is probably a coin-toss.  The Kingston would give you a little more storage.

 

Crucial BX500 2.5" 240 Go Série ATA III 3D NAND : Amazon.nl: Elektronica

 

I also saw this one which seems to have decent reviews and it is the least expensive.  550/500.

 

Intenso Interne 2,5" SSD SATA III Performance, 250 GB, 550 MB/seconde, zwart : Amazon.nl: Elektronic...

HP Recommended

Hi Paul, it actually isn't the MX500 but the M500, so this one: https://www.amazon.com/MODEL-Crucial-240GB-adapter-Internal/dp/B00BQ8RM1A

I think it is a bit slow in writing.

 

The Kingston looks to be sold now.

 

I don't know if these will fit but there are some of these up for sale now that became obsolete at someone's office:

Kingston NV1 250GB NVMe PCI Express 3.0 x4 SSD

I think they won't fit in the Z620 due to a different connector but maybe an adapter possible? or too much hassle and no gain for an older system?

They only cost 19,50 eur. a piece

 

There's also someone who offers new SSD's with W10 or 11 installed. They have good reviews at least that is what the website shows. €69 all in. Don't know if that is interesting, maybe not as I believe Windows can still be downloaded free?
it is in Dutch, I will Google-translate it:

 

Description
Completely installed and ready to use! For PC or laptop

Fast, brand new 500 GB SSD hard drive installed with official and legal versions of Windows 10 or 11 Pro of your choice and Office 2021 Pro Plus (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)

What do you receive?
- A brand new, unused 2.5 inch SSD drive (A-brand Samsung EVO 870 or Crucial MX500 of your choice)
- Windows 10 or 11 Pro installed and ready to use
- Office 2021 Pro Plus.
- A handy package of free software including Avast Antivirus
- Official license keys included
- Manufacturer's warranty on the drive.


Startup options:
Please indicate when ordering whether you want GPT (UEFI boot) or MBR (Legacy boot). Not sure exactly which one you need? Feel free to ask me.

 

HP Recommended

Hi:

 

The NVMe SSD may not work. 

 

You would need an adapter to install it in the PCIe x 8 slot and I don't know if your PC can support booting from a NVMe SSD.

 

If such a thing would work, that would be your best option for drive speed.

 

You would need to post a new question regarding that.

 

SABRENT M.2 SSD NVMe PCIe Adapter met aluminium koellichaam en thermisch pad, voor SSD 1TB, SSD 2TB,...

 

Because you have a Workstation PC, the chances of a fully loaded Windows SSD booting up is a long shot, but as long as they give you the product keys, you can download W10/W11 from Microsoft for a clean install.

 

There is this 2.5" SATA SSD which has better write speeds than the M500:  520/430:  Only 19 euros.

 

I've used their memory chips in some of my notebook and desktop PC's.  It has never disappointed.

 

P210 Interne Solid State-Schijven Sata 3 2.5" 256GB Patriot Memory : Amazon.nl: Elektronica

 

Patriot P210 Series - 2.5" SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (patriotmemory.com)

HP Recommended

Hi,

 

That is something I did not know, so a pre-installed SSD can give issues when setting up with a certain unit like the workstation I have for example. Why is that, is it because when you install the OS on an empty drive it works better?
Trying to grasp the logic of this 🙂

Because I already have a w10 on the Acer, my initial thought was to copy that to the Z620 on a empty new drive.

If that would be the best and fail safe bet, I guess it would be the cheapest as well regarding your recommendation of the Patriot SSD of just 19 euro

 

And regarding the NVMe, would that be a case of not recognizing the new hardware by the BIOS  (compatibilty issues)

HP Recommended

I've found after searching that there actually are some folks that already attempted using a NVMe type on a Z620 and it seems that at least one of them got it working:
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/Booting-from-an-NV...

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