Adding additional SSD to Pavillion

[glenjh]

HP Pavillion TP01-0034 Desktop Tower

256GB SSD (256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)

Available expansion slots (as listed in PC specification sheet):

   (1) M.2 socket 1, Key A

   (1) M.2 socket 3, key M

My question:  I'd like to add another SSD to the motherboard, and though the specification sheet shows available slots, I don't see them. The current SSD is mounted in the usual position: horizontal on the motherboard near the front of the PC.  Embarrassingly, I cant locate the other M.2 slots!  Did they hide them (lol), or are they configured differently than the other "in use" slot? In pic #1, the SSD is shown in the center of pic, but no additional slot (is it underneath the current SSD?).  Pic #2 shows the CPU, fan, memory card & slots, etc. Cant see it there either, apart from 2 "vertical" slots next to the video card slot (no video card installed).  Thanks for your help!

[iomare]

Hi,

I believe the other slot you are looking for  "One M.2 socket 1, key A"

is for the wifi module, so it will be much smaller and not be able to host a M2 SSD.

You could just replace the one you have with a much higher capacity one. No limit to capacity.

Hope it helps,

David

[glenjh]

Thank you for your reply David!

As you noted, the M.2 socket 1, key A is for WiFi, Bluetooth and other network related items.  It's the M.2  socket 3, key M that I'm searching for.  This would be used for an SSD drive with PCIe lanes.

UPDATE: I've removed more of the case to get a better look at the motherboard and can now confirm there is not an additional  M.2 socket 3, key M available. I must have misinterpreted the HP specifications sheet when I read "Expansion Slots". Oh well!

David, I'll take your good advice and replace my exisiting 256Gb SSD with a larger capacity drive. Thank you! 

As I move forward to research the new SSD to purchase, I  have further questions regarding M.2 bus compatibility (gen 3x2?  gen 3x4?) and NAND type ( MLC or 3D V-Nand?). I'm getting conflicting information from web searches.

Thanks again!

[iomare]

Hi,

Yes, the document you are referring to is for the whole series which uses that motherboard. So there is one expansion slot for SSD which in your case is in use.

I would not worry bout 3x2 and 3x4, you should get from your desired brand.

The Samsung 970 Evo Plus is considered the fastest and "best" on the market, However, you can also find much cheaper and slower ones such as the Crucial P1 or similar.

There is no limit to capacity.

Hope it helps,

David

[SugarBear]

Help on removing the 256 SSD and replacing with a 1TB

[glenjh]

Sugarbear I'd like to tell you I did it, but I opted to take the Pavillion to a local tech store for the swap. Purchased the SSD from them & had them 'clone' my OS (Windows 10).  They installed a Crucial 1TB SSD (yes, cheap and slow...but way faster than my old PC with a conventional hard drive).

I *might* have been able to do it myself, but thought it better to have an experienced tech do it.  Knowing my luck, I'd have f*cked up a brand new PC.  Maybe next time ill try. Parts & labor was $189, within my budget.

I'm a happy camper now. 

[iomare]

Hi @SugarBear 

Do you have the exact same model PC?

If yes, You can take a look at the doc below starting on page 11

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06425327

Let me know,

David