Using the on-board PCI Express x16 slot to boot from an m.2 interface type SSD

[Amirster]

Hi,

I have this 12 years old desktop PC that to my surprise, insists on keeping working smoothly.

The original 1GB of RAM has been upgraded with an additional 2GB right at the start and in time, Windows 10 (32-bit) was installed on a new HDD to replace the Windows Vista edition that came with the PC.

I recently thought of yet another upgrade option and that is an SSD.

The obvious way to go (it seems) is to get a SATA interface type SSD and connect it to an on-board SATA connector.

This is probably going to work but since this board (P5LP-LE [Leonite]) incorporates a SATA revision 1.0, I can only get a 150 MB/s transfer rate that might not be such a great improvement.

Instead I thought maybe I could use the on-board PCI Express x16 slot with an M.2 SSD to PCIE 3.0 X16 Adapter. This will theoretically support a much higher transfer rate.

I remember something about this slot is designed for a graphics card and I'm not sure there's any support in the BIOS for booting the system from it so I guess my question to the forum is:

• Does anyone thinks it can work? Better yet,
• Does anyone have any experience with such an upgrade?

Thanks,

Amir

[TheOldMan]

That is an old system.  While it may work as desired, it might not support being able to boot from the SSD.  As you research that problem, I would consider using an PCIExpress X1 adapter to a faster SATA port with the ability to support boot options.  There might be more reliable choices for that.  Then use a SATA SSD instead.  I doubt you would notice any speed differences between those two choices, as the M.2 VS SATA SSD speed would not be noticeable on a system that old.  Actually

[Amirster]

That sounds reasonable.

Thanks.