Add an additional SSD to omen 16-n0038nb ?

[Nico_F]

Greetings,

I'd like to apologize beforehand as i am a big noob when it comes to computer hardware. 

I'd like to upgrade my storage space on my Omen 16 laptop but i'm unaware to what i should look out for, how i'll know that certain SSD's are compatible or not. 

Is it even possible to add a second SSD to this model or at all? 

Side question, how does one know that a certain part in general (for example a new graphics card) would be compatible with my omen laptop? 

[tk_srq · Accepted solution]

@Nico_F,

According to this HP video, your model comes with two M.2 slots.

Removing & Replacing Parts | OMEN by HP 16.1-inch Gaming 16-n0000 | HP Computer Service | HP Support

You have an option to keep the boot drive in the primary slot and install another NVMe SSD in the empty second slot for data storage.

Basically, M.2 NVMe SSDs have no capacity limit. You can install an NVMe drive of 1 TB, 2 TB or more.

Here are a couple of reputable M.2 NVMe SSDs.

Amazon.com: Crucial P310 1TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD – Up to 7,100 MB/s – Shift up to Ge...

Amazon.com: WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up...

[Nico_F]

What does the M2 mean? Does this mean i can only use M2 SSD's? 

[tk_srq]

M.2 is a type of form factor for solid state drives (SSDs).

Your service manual (on page 2) indicates your model supports "M.2 PCIe (NVMe) Gen4 solid-state drives."

Maintenance and Service Guide

M.2 SSDs are installed in the M.2 slot on the motherboard. 

Pages 32-33 of the manual shows how to install/remove M.2 SSDs.

To answer your other question, your model only supports M.2 NVMe SSD drives, not 2.5" SATA drives.

[Nico_F]

Thank you for the replies. If i may, i have one last question, how do i know what gen an SSD is and can you use SSD's from other gens? 

[tk_srq]

You mean what gen your current M.2 drive is?

Click the link to PartSurfer and click the search icon to the right of the '797D4EA' to view the list of parts of your model.

HP PartSurfer

Your drive is listed as 'SSD 1TB 2280 PCIe-4x4 NVMe.' If you click the camera icon to the left of the drive description, you can see the picture of the drive, which is a Samsung gen4 NVMe SSD.

I can't find any information regarding gen # of your secondary slot. It's either gen3 or 4.

If your second slot is gen3 and you install an M.2 gen4 SSD, it'll run at reduced gen3 speeds.

If you are looking for an M.2 SSD for the second slot, you can install an M.2 SSD of either gen #.

If you want to install an M.2 SSD of a larger capacity in the primary slot for a new boot drive, you need to choose an M.2 gen4 SSD.