Motherboard Layout

[mattbrincefield]

I’m trying to find a motherboard layout for my recently purchased workstation. I want to add a second M.2 SSD as well as additional 2.5 SSD’s. I want to be 100% sure I’m plugging everything in where it should be. Any help would be appreciated. 

[Hibb1]

Hi,

I can't find the mainboard layout per se, but this article does help with drives supported

https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c06100744#AbT0

*looks* like there's 2 x M.2 slots on the mainboard. Can't really tell how many 2½ inch drive's it'll take. I would assume, between 2 and 4, but you'll know by pulling the side off and having a look.

You can also buy/install PCIe SSD HDD's on a PCIe slot card as well.

Hope this helps.

[mattbrincefield]

Thank you for the response. This does help. It looks like the M.2 SSD’s  hang off the side of the motherboard. No anchor point for them to be screwed down like I’ve seen in other boards. I’m thinking installing one on a PCIe might be the best way to go. That way I know it’s secured. The M.2 SSD that came installed has something on top of it. I’m assuming a heat sink. While that one seems pretty secure, I don’t know how secure one would be by just plugging it in and leaving it there. Have you had any issues installing a M.2 without anchoring it down to anything?

[Hibb1]

I've never seen an M.2 that didn't have a screw point to secure it. They would have to, as they kind of spring up on a 45 degree angle when not screwed down.

Sometimes I've seen on boards where the M.2 slot is close to the edge of the board that the screw point is on the metal backing plate above where the M.2 slot is. So if it's a 2280 M.2 card then it's approx 80mm above the mainboard on the backing plate.