Expanding with a SSD storage - is it posible and compatible?

[JohnJohn11]

Hello,

I wanna know if it's possible to expand my computer with a new storage?

From what I can see, my motherboard have these expansions slots:*One PCIe x16 socket
*One PCIe x1 socket
*One M.2 socket 1, key A
*One M.2 socket 3, key M for SSD (PCIe x2)

I want to buy this one:
https://www.computersalg.dk/i/5726941/kingston-a2000-solid-state-drive?utm_source=PriceRunner&utm_me...

Is this one compatible? And which socket should I use?

Does a "PCie x16 socket" means it is 16 times as fast as the "PCIe x1 socket"

Or is it the "M.2 socket 3, key M for SSD (PCIe x2)" i should use?

Thank you.

[discothan]

Can you provide the  HP Model # of the system you are trying to expand the hard drive space?

There are some potential decisions you need to make.  You said "expand my computer with new storage".  Does this mean that 1) you are adding another SSD drive as additional drive, leaving your original drive in? or 2) are you adding the SSD drive in order to copy/move/extend the current drive space?

Keep in mind that your existing Windows Drive might be in one of the M2 sockets or even connected to a SATA connection.

What ever slot it is in, you have to choose to replace or add-on using the available slots (if you don't want to reinstall Windows).  While your specifications allows for M2 either Key A or Key M  (this is the 'gold' interface with teeth and cut out pin), it is not obvious which one you are using today.

The product you linked is M.2 Key B/M but PCIx4 in the 2280 (22mmx80mm) size.  This might not be compatible with your M.2 socket 3, Key M (PCIex2), but it might fit and might run at a slower speed for read/write.

As for your other question, the PCIe x16 or PCIe x1 is most likely used for your graphics card.  There are further options to use an available PCIe x1 slot for a storage/ssd add-on card, but this will be more expensive. 

Please provide the HP model # so people can examine your overall set-up.

[discothan]

Can you please provide the HP model # of your system?  This will allow us to look at how your system is configured.

[JohnJohn11]

Hello,

My deskop model is the:

"HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-0107no"

[JohnJohn11]

Hello,

I need to add another SSD to my desktop.

[discothan · Accepted solution]

Let me start out by stating that it was difficult to find the exact diagram of the HP Erica motherboard your system uses.  But I found a support document from the HP TG01-xxxx family of Gaming desktops that use AMD Ryzen processor, so this is very similar.

Here is the link to the document so that you can compare:

 http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06504786 

According to the product specification for your HP TG01-0107no, the system came with an NVMe m.2 drive installed.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06474014

So you will not be able to add a second NVMe m.2 drive.  You can however purchase a SATA SSD/HDD drive and add it to your system.  You might need to purchase a HDD cage in order to mount a SATA SSD drive since SSD drives tend to be a smaller form factor.   

OPTION (more technical):

You can replace the original/current NVMe m.2 drive with something bigger than 256GB, maybe 500GB or 1TB NVme m.2 2280 drive.  But this will require you to re-install Windows 10 and all your drivers/software/games etc.  Then you have to figure out how to retrieve/re-use your old NVMe m.2 drive in an adapter or external drive case.

Additionally:

The other m.2 connection is meant for Wireless Modules.

The PCIe x1 is a potential drive expansion, but it is more expensive because you have to purchase an adapter card and the extra drive.

Good luck!

[wb2001]

@JohnJohn11,

You could also clone the existing SSD. This would require an external NVMe to SATA3 enclosure. If you wanted to go this route, I will fully explain the steps. Cloning creates an exact bootable device of your existing SSD.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

https://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW7/Cloning+a+disk

https://www.newegg.com/orico-tcm2-c3-bk-bp-enclosure/p/0VN-0003-001D8?Description=nvme%20to%20usb%20...

Sizes range into   https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=nvme+ssd&N=601193224%20600414920%20100011693%20600476404%20600038497