How to add a SATA port

[geppinox]

Hello Community!

My question is about SATA upgrade possibility.

The mainbord of EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF disposes of 3 SATA ports, which hare currently occupied with  a SSD a harddisk and a DVD drive. Now I'd add a SSD (SATA 3.0) and I thought, I may built in a SATA card on a PCI Express slot. 

My question:

Are there restrictions made by motherborad architecture (i.e. any chip or CPU) , which can inibit or restrain the performance of a SSD card on PCI Express slot?

If yes, is there an alternative solution?

Thanks a lot in advance for each suggestion!

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@geppinox,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Suggestions are plentiful in this forum, let me share you mine.

Yes, you're thinking along the right lines -let me give you a clear answer.

In my opinion, the simplest and best solution for your HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF is to remove the DVD (ODD) drive and connect the additional SSD to its free SATA port.

✅The DVD's SATA port on this motherboard is a full-speed SATA III (6 Gb/s) connection, so your SSD will perform at normal speeds.
✅No PCIe adapter is needed, and everything stays simple and reliable.

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If you prefer to keep the DVD drive and still add an SSD, yes, you can install a PCIe SATA controller card.

A good option is a PCIe 2.0 x1 SATA card based on the ASMedia ASM1061 chipset. These usually add 2 additional SATA III ports.

Some important notes:

• On a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot (which your system has), real-world maximum transfer speed is around 500 MB/s, slightly less than a native SATA III port (600 MB/s), but still quite good.

• Most ASM1061-based cards today allow booting from connected drives but check carefully if you plan to boot from it.

• For normal storage (games, files, Linux OS secondary drive, etc.), it's perfectly fine.

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Example PCIe SATA card available in Germany:

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StarTech PCIe SATA Controller (2 Ports, 6Gb/s) – Amazon.de

✅StarTech is a very high-quality, professional-grade brand
✅Also a PCIe 2.0 x1 card
✅Two SATA III ports
✅Very good Linux support (important for the OP!)
✅Slightly more expensive, but more premium quality, better long-term warranty and support

This StarTech card is a bit "fancier" than other less expensive options, but if you prefer high-reliability parts, it's an excellent choice.

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Summary:

• Simplest: Remove the DVD drive and reuse the SATA port.

• Alternative: Install a PCIe x1 SATA card such as the StarTech model linked above.

• Alternative: Use a 5.25" ODD (DVD bay) to 2.5" SSD/HDD mounting bracket such as the ICY BOX IB-2536StS 5.25" to 2x 2.5" SSD/HDD Adapter.

I hope this helps you expand your EliteDesk easily! Feel free to ask if you need help with installation or setup.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[geppinox]

Hallo!

NonSequitur777 many thanks for your hints!

I had thought your first solution - removing the DVD unit - in case adding the SATA card were not possible.

But why remove that, if I can add two SATA ports?
About the appropriate STA card: I did found a similar one: DIGITUS SATAIII PCIexpress add-on card

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@NonSequitur777 wrote:

 ... StarTech is a very high-quality, professional-grade brand
✅(...)
✅Slightly more expensive, but more premium quality, better long-term warranty and support

This StarTech card is a bit "fancier" than other less expensive options, but if you prefer high-reliability parts, it's an excellent choice.

---

I'll think about that..

Very useful your link to the mounting box! Thank you. That let me spare time on searching for that!

I don't think, I'll need help on installing or setting up the SATA card and/or the SD drive. I've already assembled many PCs and I only asked now, because I have very few information about the motherboard and the bridge chips on this HP computer. Nevertheless I appreciate your help offer and I won't hesitate to  benefit from.

Have a nice weekend!

[NonSequitur777]

@geppinox,

You are most welcome -glad I could assist you!

Yes, the DIGITUS card looks A-OK to me too!

Kind Regards / Mit freundlichen Grüße,

NonSequitur777