Question Hard drive suggestion.

[slowlane]

I have a computer I built in 2016 that has been running great until recently. Gigabyte GA-H170-D3HP. I originally installed Windows 7 pro then upgraded to Windows 10 pro when it because available. I cloned the 2.5 inch Crucial 250 gig SS drive last month to a 500 gig Samsung 870 EVO because the 250 gig drive was getting low on space.

I didn't realize that I had issues and everything I have tried so far has not worked so I want to do a clean install of Window 10 Pro . Now I have a cloned drive that also has issues. I just want to start from scratch with a fresh install .

I didn't realize when I built this computer back in 2016 it had the M.2 form factor and I want to use this slot for a new SS drive and use the 500 gig Samsung 870 EVO I just bought to clone it to in case it has problems in the future.

Here is my specs. 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA and PCIex4/x2/x1 SSD support)- 2 x SATA Express connectors- 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors.

To add also. I can purchase a new license for Windows 10 pro when I do the fresh install as I'm not sure this one will work. I do have the Windows 10 Product id number that I got from the registry.

Staying with a 500 gig would be fine using the M.2 slot. . I also do like the Samsung models but would be open to suggestions so I could use it in a new build later this year or maybe next year.

I don't game but but still would like the fastest M.2 drive for later use that would work in this old Gigabyte GA-H170-D3HP. I also have the
Intel Core i5 6500 @ 3.20GHz
Skylake 14nm Technology with 24 gigs of ram.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Eximo]

PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD in the 500GB range: Samsung 970 Evo, 970 Pro.

For maximum speed you will actually want a larger drive. More flash chips generally equals more bandwidth.

WD Black, Sabrent Rocket series, Higher end Corsair drives.

You could also just get a PCIe 4.0 drive, won't be able to run at those speeds, but it will max out the PCIe 3.0 connection available in your system.

 

[slowlane]

PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD in the 500GB range: Samsung 970 Evo, 970 Pro.

For maximum speed you will actually want a larger drive. More flash chips generally equals more bandwidth.

WD Black, Sabrent Rocket series, Higher end Corsair drives.

You could also just get a PCIe 4.0 drive, won't be able to run at those speeds, but it will max out the PCIe 3.0 connection available in your system.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your help. I will get a 1 or 2 gig. I just wasn't sure about using the EaseUS lifetime copy software to clone to the smaller 500 gig drive I have already. I think it can be done though.

 

[Bob.B]

Thanks so much. I appreciate your help. I will get a 1 or 2 gig. I just wasn't sure about using the EaseUS lifetime copy software to clone to the smaller 500 gig drive I have already. I think it can be done though.

If the source disk has problems you will likely move the problems to the destination disk when you do a clone.

Since your playing with a samsung disk look at the clone that magician offers.

 

[Eximo]

Other way around, he is planning to use the SATA drives as backups to the main drive. As long as you don't exceed the capacity of your back up drive, you can take images of the system using a smaller drive.

 

[logainofhades]

You will not need a new windows license. Your product key is tied to your motherboard. Skip the product key entry, during windows install, and once it is connected to internet, it should reactivate without issue. With drive prices being what they are, I would not get smaller than a 1tb. I have really liked this drive, in my AMD rig. Inland is Microcenter's house brand and it comes with a 6yr warranty.


PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $69.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-16 12:17 EST-0500

 

[slowlane]

If the source disk has problems you will likely move the problems to the destination disk when you do a clone.

Since your playing with a samsung disk look at the clone that magician offers.

Thanks. I had looked at the magician software and it seems to be ok. Not sure what happened that won't let me do system restore anymore. I will try it on the cloned disk and see if it works.

 

[slowlane]

You will not need a new windows license. Your product key is tied to your motherboard. Skip the product key entry, during windows install, and once it is connected to internet, it should reactivate without issue. With drive prices being what they are, I would not get smaller than a 1tb. I have really liked this drive, in my AMD rig. Inland is Microcenter's house brand and it comes with a 6yr warranty.


PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $69.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-16 12:17 EST-0500

Thanks for this info. I will research this one as it seems like a great drive. I appreciate your help.

I wasn't 100 % sure on the windows license so thanks for that tip.

I do want to set the new hard drive up using a Microsoft account and not a local account. I bought the 2021 lifetime version of MS office back in 2023 . I do show the digital version where I can click install when I log into my account.