[SOLVED] Can I have multiple SSDs?

[xxxbabyxxx]

Hello,

I have 250GB SSD and wanted to add another 1TB SSD, but was wondering if that will work or if I will need to replace my current SSD.

PC Specs:

– Aerocool Rift RGB Mid Tower Case w/ Full Window
– Aerocool KCAS Plus 800W Official 80Plus Bonze 85% Efficiency with Smart fan Control PSU
– Intel Core i7-10700 10th Gen Comet Lake 8-Core 2.9GHz (4.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1200 (400 Series) 65W BX8070110700 Desktop Processor
– Gigabyte H410M S2H 1.0 LGA1200 Board
– Kingston SA2000M8/250G A2000 250GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
– Seagate 1TB ST1000DM010 7200RPM SATA III 64MB Barracuda HDD for Desktop
– 32 GB RAM (2x HyperX Fury 16GB (1 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 2666 (PC4 21300) Desktop Memory Black Model HX426C16FB3/16)
– Zotac ZT-A30700H-10P GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC 8GB GDDR6 GPU

Should I buy another SSD 1TB, should I replace the 250GB SSD or do I not need it at all?
what do you suggest?

If yes, any suggestion from here? https://pcandparts.com/storage-hdd-hard-drives-nvme-ssd-m2/?filter_size=1tb
Note: I haven't paid for my NVMe SSD yet, if you think I should priortiize replacing that first, I can do that from the link provided!

Thank you!

 

[Prad_Bitt]

Hello,

I have 250GB SSD and wanted to add another 1TB SSD, but was wondering if that will work or if I will need to replace my current SSD.

PC Specs:


Should I buy another SSD 1TB, should I replace the 250GB SSD or do I not need it at all?
what do you suggest?

If yes, any suggestion from here? https://pcandparts.com/storage-hdd-hard-drives-nvme-ssd-m2/?filter_size=1tb

Thank you!

You can definitely have multiple SSDs, no problem. But you can't have more NVMe SSDs because your motherboard has only one slot. However this means you can use all 4 SATA ports to connect extra SSDs. (3 left because one went to the HDD)

The HP S700 Pro seems to be the best one value wise in stock. Otherwise I'd suggest the Samsung 860 Evo. But that's mostly because of Samsung's service and software, performance is pretty much the same

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

You can definitely have multiple SSDs, no problem. But you can't have more NVMe SSDs because your motherboard has only one slot. However this means you can use all 4 SATA ports to connect extra SSDs. (3 left because one went to the HDD)

The HP S700 Pro seems to be the best one value wise in stock. Otherwise I'd suggest the Samsung 860 Evo. But that's mostly because of Samsung's service and software, performance is pretty much the same

I can replace the current NVME if its needed as I haven't paid for that yet, you think I should keep the HDD, buy a new SSD or replace the NVME?
If yes to replacing NVMe any suggestions? https://pcandparts.com/storage-hdd-hard-drives-nvme-ssd-m2/?filter_size=1tb

 

[Prad_Bitt]

I can replace the current NVME if its needed as I haven't paid for that yet, you think I should keep the HDD, buy a new SSD or replace the NVME?
If yes to replacing NVMe any suggestions? https://pcandparts.com/storage-hdd-hard-drives-nvme-ssd-m2/?filter_size=1tb

Oh OK if you haven't bought the NVMe or paid, whatever, you should get the 1TB version of the one you're using. It's good enough. Other good options are WD Blue, Crucial P2, Samsung 970, Intel 660p

Careful with the blue, there's a SATA and NVMe M.2 version, check closer

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

So replace Kingston SA2000M8/250G A2000 250GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with Kingston SA2000M8/1000G M.2 NMVe 1TB NVMe SSD ?

I had told them that's what I want, but i realized there's a difference in name such as "NVMe M.2 & NVMe" is that correct or did I do a mistake?

 

[Prad_Bitt]

So replace Kingston SA2000M8/250G A2000 250GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with Kingston SA2000M8/1000G M.2 NMVe 1TB NVMe SSD ?

I had told them that's what I want, but i realized there's a difference in name such as "NVMe M.2 & NVMe" is that correct or did I do a mistake?

Its just name difference, same thing. M.2 is a form factor, NVMe is an interface. Both are M.2 SSDs, 250 and 1TB so no need to worry

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

Alright so final:
I will go with https://pcandparts.com/kingston-sa2000m8-1000g-m-2-nmve-1tb-nvme-ssd/
And https://pcandparts.com/seagate-1tb-st1000dm010-hdd/

All good with my system?

 

[Prad_Bitt]

Alright so final:
I will go with https://pcandparts.com/kingston-sa2000m8-1000g-m-2-nmve-1tb-nvme-ssd/
And https://pcandparts.com/seagate-1tb-st1000dm010-hdd/

All good with my system?

Do you want a hard drive? I actually thought of putting a hard drive but it's so much slower than I went with a 2.5" SSD instead. If budget is a constraint, then all good!

If you want faster loading etc then buy SSD only. Also, install OS and the stuff you use and play more often on the SSD

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

Do you want a hard drive? I actually thought of putting a hard drive but it's so much slower than I went with a 2.5" SSD instead. If budget is a constraint, then all good!

If you want faster loading etc then buy SSD only. Also, install OS and the stuff you use and play more often on the SSD

I have 1 External (2TB)
and 1 External (1TB)
and 1 External (1TB but I use for backup)

Usually things like photos/etc I save on those ones, they're USB connected, and I can dedicate the internal hard drive (1TB) that comes in for Games + Shadowplay, what you think?

 

[Prad_Bitt]

I have 1 External (2TB)
and 1 External (1TB)
and 1 External (1TB but I use for backup)

Usually things like photos/etc I save on those ones, they're USB connected, and I can dedicate the internal hard drive (1TB) that comes in for Games + Shadowplay, what you think?

What I hate about HDDs with gaming is the painfully slow loading, and sometimes stutter issues in big open world games. I only game, no productivity no video or photo storage so I only have SSDs in my build. You seem. To have a lot of external HDD storage, I think you should just buy another SSD for internal or skip it altogether.

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

Do you think I can just upgrade the NVMe SSD to 1TB as you said, keep the HDD and play games on my HDD like COD Warzone without lag/stutter or is no SSD an issue?

 

[Prad_Bitt]

Do you think I can just upgrade the NVMe SSD to 1TB as you said, keep the HDD and play games on my HDD like COD Warzone without lag/stutter or is no SSD an issue?

Warzone is a huge game, it will definitely run better on the SSD, but I don't know how much better

 

[sizzling]

But you can't have more NVMe SSDs because your motherboard has only one slot.

FYI not entirely correct. You can get an NVMe PCIE card to add additional NVMe M.2 storage. You cannot use them as a boot drive but perfectly ok for storage. Something like this NVME Adapter PCIe x16 with Heat Sink, 6amLifestyle M.2: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[USAFRet]

You can have multiple SSD's.
My main system has 7. (list below in my sig)
1 for the OS and applications, the others for other things. 1 of them is mostly just games.

Leave your OS on the 250GB where it is now.
Add another drive or two as needed.

 

[Prad_Bitt]

T

FYI not entirely correct. You can get an NVMe PCIE card to add additional NVMe M.2 storage. You cannot use them as a boot drive but perfectly ok for storage. Something like this NVME Adapter PCIe x16 with Heat Sink, 6amLifestyle M.2: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

That's news to me lol I didn't know those existed. Learn something every day

 

[USAFRet]

T
That's news to me lol I didn't know those existed. Learn something every day

I have one of these for my Intel 660p
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GFDVXVJ

Now...depending on what the OP is wanting to use these drives for, NVMe may or may not be beneficial, vs adding a SATA III SSD.

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

I have one of these for my Intel 660p
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GFDVXVJ

Now...depending on what the OP is wanting to use these drives for, NVMe may or may not be beneficial, vs adding a SATA III SSD.

Do you think I should ask for 2x NVMe and no SATA then? can my motherboard hold 2x NVMes?
Motherboard: Gigabyte H410M S2H 1.0 LGA1200 Board

I mainly want it for gaming, I'm okay with bit of loading time or longer time rendering but I'd prefer not stuttering during games or sudden FPS drops and things like that.

What do you suggest I do? I guess I am not going to get any HHD at all and go full SSD, but which ones should I get? I had already told them to replace my 250GB SSD NVMe with a 1TB one, maybe I can split that into 250GB for OS/etc, and 750GB for programs, then another 1TB SSD for games/shadowplay? but the second SSD is the one im not sure if I should ask for Gen3 or SATA

Any advices on that? I was going with SATA thinking I cant have anymore NVMes on my board from the posts above.

 

[USAFRet]

Do you think I should ask for 2x NVMe and no SATA then? can my motherboard hold 2x NVMes?
Motherboard: Gigabyte H410M S2H 1.0 LGA1200 Board

I mainly want it for gaming, I'm okay with bit of loading time or longer time rendering but I'd prefer not stuttering during games or sudden FPS drops and things like that.

What do you suggest I do? I guess I am not going to get any HHD at all and go full SSD, but which ones should I get? I had already told them to replace my 250GB SSD NVMe with a 1TB one, maybe I can split that into 250GB for OS/etc, and 750GB for programs, then another 1TB SSD for games/shadowplay? but the second SSD is the one im not sure if I should ask for Gen3 or SATA

Any advices on that? I was going with SATA thinking I cant have anymore NVMes on my board from the posts above.

Don't split the OS and programs into 2 partitions. Serves no purpose.

The M.2 port on that motherboard is only PCIe 2.0. And only one of those.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/H410M-S2H-rev-10/sp#sp

In a game system, the difference between SATA III, PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0?
Blink, and you miss the difference.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3AMz-xZ2VM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YoRKQy-UO4


Bottom line:
1x NVMe drive, and maybe 1 or 2 SATA III SSD.
You'll see ZERO difference.

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

Don't split the OS and programs into 2 partitions. Serves no purpose.

The M.2 port on that motherboard is only PCIe 2.0. And only one of those.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/H410M-S2H-rev-10/sp#sp

In a game system, the difference between SATA III, PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0?
Blink, and you miss the difference.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3AMz-xZ2VM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YoRKQy-UO4


Bottom line:
1x NVMe drive, and maybe 1 or 2 SATA III SSD.
You'll see ZERO difference.

Awesome! I'll go with what you said then! any advices on things I should/not do?

You mentioned not to split it into 2 partitions so I won't do that, should I avoid certain things such as defragging or should I defrag monthly?
Should I avoid certain things like shadowplay/games/installing a lot on the OS SSD preventing it from making it slow or can I use it however I want?

any final advices/tips on that?

Thank you

 

[USAFRet]

Awesome! I'll go with what you said then! any advices on things I should/not do?

You mentioned not to split it into 2 partitions so I won't do that, should I avoid certain things such as defragging or should I defrag monthly?
Should I avoid certain things like shadowplay/games/installing a lot on the OS SSD preventing it from making it slow or can I use it however I want?

any final advices/tips on that?

Thank you

You do not "defrag" at all.
Windows knows the difference between an HDD and SSD. Let it manage the thing by itself. Take that maintenance function off the table.

Installing things? Again, don't stress over that. Current consumer level drives will not "wear out" from too many writes in any normal use.
I have 2x 6 year old Samsung 840 EVO that still run just like brand new.

Don't get junk drives, and you'll be fine.

 

[xxxbabyxxx]

You do not "defrag" at all.
Windows knows the difference between an HDD and SSD. Let it manage the thing by itself. Take that maintenance function off the table.

Installing things? Again, don't stress over that. Current consumer level drives will not "wear out" from too many writes in any normal use.
I have 2x 6 year old Samsung 840 EVO that still run just like brand new.

Don't get junk drives, and you'll be fine.

Amazing thank you very much!

I went with NVMe: https://pcandparts.com/kingston-sa2000m8-1000g-m-2-nmve-1tb-nvme-ssd/
and will see what SATA SSD options they got available in that store as that's where I'm getting my PC from, I'm going to buy 1 TB so if you got any suggestions that would be nice