Can I upgrade my Pavilion 15-cs0093ca with an M.2 SSD?

[kcool]

Looking to upgrade the storage in my son's computer for university. Don't have the computer in front of me, so I can't just pop the back off and have a look, and can't find anything on HP site that shows if it can accept an M.2 SSD. Full specs on his laptop are below. Crucial site says it can accept one, but I can't find any confirmation of that anywhere else.  HP specs for this model do not note it (at least not that I could see). Please advise if this this motherboard can accept this upgrade.  Thanks!

Current configuration of Pavilion 15-cs0093ca:

Windows 10 Home 64-bit

CPU: Intel Core i7 8550U @ 1.80GHz: Kaby Lake-U/Y 14nm Technology

RAM 12.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 665MHz (10-10-10-28)

Motherboard: HP 84BF (U3E1)

Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)  Intel UHD Graphics 620 (HP)

2047MB NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (HP): 

ForceWare version: 462.80

SLI Disabled

Storage: 931GB Intel Optane+932GBHDD (RAID )

Optical Drives: No optical disk drives detected

Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

According to chapter 1 of the service manual, pages 2 & 3 your notebook has a M.2 slot that supports both SATA and NVMe SSD's.

Maintenance and Service Guide HP Pavilion 15 Laptop PC

[pbroussard]

Does he need storage space for pictures, books movies or does he need more space on his main drive, the intel optane is 931GB, which is pretty big for an OS drive. The service manual showes room for a 2.5" SATA drive, maybe a larger mechanical drive would fit his needs better.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That model has this drive configuration...

16 GB (Optane memory module) + 1 TB, 5400 rpm, 7.2 mm hard drive

The Optane memory is only 16 GB, and it is used to accelerate the 1 TB mechanical hard drive.

It has to be removed before an NVMe M.2 SSD is installed, because it is occupying the slot the M.2 SSD goes into.

There is also a required procedure to first disable the Optane memory in the Intel RST software, and then in the BIOS (if applicable), prior to removing the Optane memory and installing a NVMe SSD.

Please read the last two sections at the link below for how to disable the Intel Optane memory in the RST software and then in the BIOS (if applicable).

HP PCs - Installing and Using Intel Optane | HP® Customer Support

[kcool]

Thank you. I am assuming this one is what my son has installed:

Intel Optane (3D Xpoint) Solution, PCIe, Gen3 × 2, M.2, solid-state drive (select products only)

16 GB (Optane memory module) + 1 TB, 5400 rpm, 7.2 mm hard drive

[kcool]

Sorry, Paul - I didn't see your second reply until now. Thanks again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[kcool]

He does not really need the storage space, but rather a speedier experience overall. I will also be maxing out the RAM to 16GB from the currrent 12GB.  Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

[kcool]

By performing the optane removal procedure, I could still the 1TB HDD and just install a 500GB M.2 SSD such as this one:

Crucial P5 Plus 500GB PCIe M.2 2280SS SSD  to use as the boot drive, and continue to use the existing HDD for storage.

That should improve overall performance, correct?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Yes, you can still use the existing 1 TB mechanical hard drive for storage.

You don't want the P5 Plus, because that is a PCIe Gen 4 SSD, and your notebook's M.2 slot is only Gen 3.

So, while it will work fine, it will only run at the Gen 3 speed and not what the advertised max sequential read/write speed is.

Either buy the 'regular' P5, or you may want to go with the Samsung 980, which may run a bit cooler.

Amazon.com: Crucial P5 500GB 3D NAND NVMe Internal SSD, up to 3400MB/s - CT500P5SSD8 : Electronics

Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics (MZ-V8V500B/AM) 980 SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid St...

I have a P5 in my Dell Optiplex 7050 MT, and that P5 drive runs rather hot, and I installed a heat sink on it.

You will not have that luxury in a notebook due to lack of clearance.

The P5 is a great drive otherwise.  I love it.