SSD for HP EliteBook 840 G5 Notebook

[jimguyer_f]

I want to upgrade my SSD in my HP EliteBook 840 G5 Notebook.

Amazon has a 2TB HP SSD:

HP EX950 M.2 2TB PCIe 3.1 x4 NVMe 3D TLC NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) 5MS24AA#ABC

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MZFJ8FH?pf_rd_p=2edffb5d-036e-4cd0-bc77-99980e2d4856&pf_rd_r=W7...

Will this work in my HP EliteBook 840 G5 Notebook?

I noticed it has only one notch. I ran Crucials hardware scan and it recommended an SSD with two notches.

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP-Compaq/elitebook-840-g5#SSDFilters

Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND M.2 Type 2280 Internal SSD

Crucial only goes up to 1TB. I would like to use the genuine HP part and get 2TB but don't want to buy something that won't fit.

Can anyone which one/both/neither will fit my machine?

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Its an M.2 slot and has 2 chambers but either a "B" keyed (1 notch) or a "B + M" keyed (2 notches) M.2 SSD fits in the slot.  

Your laptop supports the superfast NVME kind of M.2 SSD which usually is the one-notch kind. So you can use the HP EX950 but do not feel like you must or even that you will gain anything by using an HP branded M.2 SSD. HP does not put HP SSDs in its laptops, for example. I tend to prefer the Samsung 970 Evo or Evo Plus, but Adata SX8000 and WD Black are good and the HP EX950 is in that group, as well. The Crucial MX500 is a SATA type M.2. It will work and its likely to be a little cheaper but it runs about 20% as fast as an NVME. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[jimguyer_f]

So if I am understanding you, right, either will work but a single notch represents a newer, faster, better SSD chip?

[Huffer]

Somewhat oversimplified but yes. Some NVME M.2 disks have 2 notches. It's not the number of notches its the architecture. Look for PCIe/NVME not SATA. If you find something specific you have questions about post a link and we will comment. 

[jimguyer_f]

I got it in, but it ran doggedly slowly. It was so bad I put the old SSD back in and it now runs slow as well. I am not sure what went wrong.

[Huffer]

Me, either. You likely need to run a full suite of diagnostic tests from UEFI...tap esc as you power up then F2 then component tests. 

[jimguyer]

I got it and put it in. It works great and is superfast. I got the HP 2TB on Amazon for $300. The Samsung Evo 2TB was $500

Once I had all the drivers loaded everything was fine