Can I Add a Sata M.2 SSD?

[JimTrek]

Hi there,

I'm confused as to whether or not I can add a "SATA M.2 SSD drive " into my HP Pavilion x360 15-br003na, alongside the existing "1TB SATA 5400rpm  HDD"!? (Crucial & Mr Memory say it's possible!?)...

I've looked high & low & even have the service manual at hand, but am confused.com  as to a definitive answer.

I'd gladly appreciate any help or advice on this matter, & possibly instructions or a video link on how to acomplish this if it's possible!

Thanks in advance.

[banhien]

@JimTrek 

From my view, Crucial is a trustworthy source and I use it for all my upgrades now. Manual also says the series can have Dual Storage that means you can use M.2 SSD + normal 2.5" HDD/SSD.

The following products are compatible with your machine (guaranteed from Crucial):

    https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/pavilion-x360-15-br003na/CT11839163    (500GB)

    https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/pavilion-x360-15-br003na/CT11839129    (1TB)

    https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/pavilion-x360-15-br003na/CT11839100    (250GB).

Regards.

[JimTrek]

In the Service Manual under the  Illustrated Parts Catelogue section, when you look at part (16) & then scroll down to the part details, it says: (16 ) Solid-state drive: For use only on computer models with model number 15-br1xx:.

My model is 15-br003na!?

[JimTrek]

Also would you recomend the Samsung 860 EVO M.2 SATA SSD? I want to make use of the (RTS)  Intel Rapid Storage Technology & use a suitable SSD to cache my already installed 1TB HDD!

[REO51ST]

Welcome to the HP Support Community  @JimTrek 

If you did not purchase the laptop with the M.2 installed we recommend inspecting the system board to make sure the slot is present.

You will need to completley disassamble the laptop because the M.2 slot is mounted on the underside of the system board.

HP Pavilion 15-br000 x360 Convertible PC Remove/Replace Videos:

http://h20574.www2.hp.com/Media/F87F3CA6-29CD-4E97-9F02-C19259A2E0BA/war_fru_frameset-en.htm

Click on Solid State Drive and System Board.

HP Pavilion x360 - 15-br003na Product Specifications:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-15-br000-x360-convertible-pc/15551167/model/1713305...

REO

[JimTrek]

Thanks for your advise & links, I am still really confused though??  Ok so I can fit M.2 SSD to my laptop, but I want to use Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) to cache my 1TB HDD that I'm using with everything on, & I don't know if my motherboard chipset supports this!?

Here are my system details:

Make & Model: HP Pavilion x360 15-br003na

CPU: Intel Core i3 7100U @ 2.40GHz   Kaby Lake-U/Y 14nm Technology

Motherboard:
Manufacturer HP
Model 8315 (U3E1)
Version 33.22
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model Kaby Lake

[REO51ST]

@JimTrek 

Your CPU has: Intel® Smart Response Technology:

https://ark.intel.com/products/95442/Intel-Core-i3-7100U-Processor-3M-Cache-2-40-GHz-

Intel® Smart Response Technology combines the fast performance of a small solid state drive with the large capacity of a hard disk drive.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/smart-response-technology.html

You could try to install this first:

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver - Kaby Lake / Kaby Lake-R (Windows 10 v1709)

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-br000-x360-convertible-pc/...

REO

[JimTrek]

Thanks again for your further links & information, I already have the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology installed, which has been updated to latest using the Intel Driver and Support Assistant! (Do I need the older version you posted, or the updated version?)

Also, does this mean I could use Optane Memory, or will my motherboard not support that!?

I keep reading I need  200 series spec's to achieve what I want, but my spec's are 100 series.

Many thanks.

[REO51ST]

@JimTrek 

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000023994/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-m...

What are the base requirements to run Intel Optane memory?

• 7th Generation (or newer) Intel® Core™ Processor.
• Intel® 200 Series Chipset (or newer).
• Intel Optane memory ready UEFI BIOS. Legacy BIOS mode isn't supported.
• Intel® BIOS SATA controller mode set to "Intel® RST...."
• Remapping enabled on the PCIe slot connecting the Intel® Optane™ memory module. (See the motherboard vendors user manual for more information.)
• Windows® 10 x64.
• Intel Rapid Storage Technology 15.5 or newer driver.
• Note: Some features/capabilities are only supported on later drivers, so it's recommended to always use the latest supported on your platform.
• Drive to be accelerated.1:
• SATA-based primary/system boot drive or secondary/data drive.2 
• GPT Partition table is required for SATA disk to be accelerated. (Drives setup with MBR partition tables aren't supported for acceleration.)
• 5MB available at the end of disk.

1 Intel Optane memory can only accelerate SATA-based drives (SSD, SSHD, HDD). You can use it with 2.5", 3.5", or M.2 form factor drives as long as they're connected with chipset lanes.
2  SATA-based data/secondary drive acceleration is supported on select Processor/Chipsets and Intel® RST drivers.

Your manual does not have IOM listed as an option.

Try updating your BIOS to see if it gives more options???

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-br000-x360-convertible-pc/...

REO

[JimTrek]

Yes I have the rev: F44 BIOS (latest version) already installed, but can't see anything related to Optane Memory in it! So although my 7th Gen Processor supports it, I suppose I have the wrong requirements! (wrong chipset!)

So to make use of "RST" on my system with an SSD, what do you think would be the best route? Or should I just Clone my HDD to an SSD & swap them out to forgo the hasstle!? (I know I could use an HDD & SSD both together, but I prefer to have just a single drive option!)

Many thanks.