Can't find M.2 ssd slot on my HP Pavilion 15AU628TX motherboard ?

[Xynos]

I even checked my laptop's specifications & manuals which say this laptop got an M.2 ssd upgrade option but i am unable to locate its slot on its motherboard. So please help me confirm whether if my laptop supports M.2 ssd upgrade or not. If yes then where it is on my motherboard?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Here is the M.2 SSD removal and replacement video for your notebook's model series...

https://www.supportvideos.ext.hp.com/detail/video/5273048535001/removing-and-replacing-the-solid-sta...

[Xynos]

Firstly thank you for your reply !!

I saw some videos in the series link provided by you where in one video it only shows ssd slot replacement while in other it shows only hard disk drive replacement. 

I basically want an upgrade having an extra ssd while keeping the stock 1 TB hard disk in my laptop & no video in that series explain that. So now i got why i was'nt able to locate the M.2 SSD slot as it located where the stock hard drive is as in one of the videos in the series. Does does that mean i can only replace my hard drive with M.2 ssd in its place or if it got some slot beneath hard drive on my laptop?

Since the have'nt checked for an M.2 SSD slot by ejecting the hard drive.

Please help me clarify it.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Looking closer at the manual, your notebook does not come with a M.2 slot.

Even If there is a M.2 slot, it would only be SATA 3, so you could also just replace the 1 TB hard drive with a 1 TB 2.5" SSD, which will run just as fast as a M.2 SATA SSD.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05228250

The parts list in chapter 3, page 17, item 13 lists a separate 'board' for a M.2 SSD.

If you look at the video again, you can see that the M.2 socket is on a removable board that seems to be connected to a ribbon cable.

I suppose if you can buy the M.2 board (HP part # 856210-001), and the ribbon cable that connects to the M.2 board and the main motherboard, you could add a M.2 SSD.

Seems like a lot of work with no guarantee of success when simply swapping out the mechanical hard drive for a 2.5 SSD would be just as good.

[Xynos]

Thank you for taking the pain to go through the manuals of my laptop.

I appreciate your suggestions, but a 1TB 2.5" SSD is out of budget for me at the moment. I can maximum afford 500 GB SSD for now & thats not enough for the amount of data i have if i just replace it with the stock mechanical drive.

With having an extra M.2 upgrade i wanted to clone my windows main boot drive to it to iron out some lag issues & smooth working with essential softwares while keeping stock 1TB hard drive for other types of files & huge data requirements.

Right now either i can add an extra M.2 SSD or be satisfied with the present specifications.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

You may have to live with your current situation.

The M.2 board costs close to $30.

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=A4129251111D4FD5B5C74FB02848CBDE&SearchIn=P...

And you need to purchase the ribbon cable separately.  It does not come with the M.2 board.

I do not see the cable part number listed in the service manual either.

Then there is come kind of SSD holder. I don't know what that is for, and it costs $20 USD.

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=80EF78AFA1024191BB9D9AE2C215858D&SearchIn=P...

Then you have to find the right screw to secure the M.2 board to the PC.

So, you are looking at well over $50 to add those parts and you haven't even bought the M.2 SSD yet.

I don't think it is a wise investment, and it is probably not possible unless you can find the ribbon cable you need.

[Xynos]

Well that was helpful. Thank you !!

BTW can you suggest some 1TB SSD's for my laptop?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I use the 500 GB version of this SSD in my HP notebook and desktop PC's.

It works great.

The 1 TB model is $108 USD

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-NAND-500GB-Internal/dp/B072R78B6Q/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=78271602337...