Help in Purchasing SSD

[Timbuktu87]

Hello all.

I was recently looking to upgrade my Desktop PC with a 500gb storage SSD. I currently use a 120gb ssd as boot drive and a 1tb hdd as storage. I am mainly looking for M.2 because I am not really a fan of the large 2.5 inch standalone ones.

my specs are:
i5-6600k
evga 750 g2 gold psu
g.skill aegis 16gb (2x8) ddr4 2800mhz ram
ASRock Z170A-X1 Motherboard

So my question is, does my motherboard have the m.2 slot on it?

 

[Timbuktu87]

so these are the only cables I need? What about the PSU cable?

Already attached to the PSU.
The SATA power cable that currently runs your other drive(s) should have a couple more outlets on it. Use one of those.

Unless you have a modular PSU, and whoever built it kept some for himself.

https://www.amazon.ca/Inateck-Connection-Cables-Splitter-ST1003/dp/B01FD7R0ZM/ref=sr_1_26?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521803926&sr=1-26&keywords=sata+3.0+cable

Can I buy that?

or https://www.amazon.ca/Drive-Connection-Cables-Splitter-2xPower/dp/B07529BKPM/ref=pd_cp_147_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WNEFNWJ1PKPRE8WF93B0

Because the earlier one you sent me, that has a 1 month delay in shipping.

 

[USAFRet]

https://www.amazon.ca/Inateck-Connection-Cables-Splitter-ST1003/dp/B01FD7R0ZM/ref=sr_1_26?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521803926&sr=1-26&keywords=sata+3.0+cable

Can I buy that?

or https://www.amazon.ca/Drive-Connection-Cables-Splitter-2xPower/dp/B07529BKPM/ref=pd_cp_147_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WNEFNWJ1PKPRE8WF93B0

Because the earlier one you sent me, that has a 1 month delay in shipping.

Yes, but you almost certainly do not need those power cables as well.
I suggested that other one, because I am entirely unsure as to whether you need a right angle connector or not. That had both.

Try this.
https://www.amazon.ca/Zheino-SATA-Cable-Power-Splitter/dp/B06XCFN5GG

 

[Timbuktu87]

https://www.amazon.ca/Inateck-Connection-Cables-Splitter-ST1003/dp/B01FD7R0ZM/ref=sr_1_26?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521803926&sr=1-26&keywords=sata+3.0+cable

Can I buy that?

or https://www.amazon.ca/Drive-Connection-Cables-Splitter-2xPower/dp/B07529BKPM/ref=pd_cp_147_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WNEFNWJ1PKPRE8WF93B0

Because the earlier one you sent me, that has a 1 month delay in shipping.

Yes, but you almost certainly do not need those power cables as well.
I suggested that other one, because I am entirely unsure as to whether you need a right angle connector or not. That had both.

Try this.
https://www.amazon.ca/Zheino-SATA-Cable-Power-Splitter/dp/B06XCFN5GG

It doesn't mention how many inches it is, for example here it mentions how many inches

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

 

[USAFRet]

It doesn't mention how many inches it is, for example here it mentions how many inches

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

Correct. That one does not mention exactly how long it is.

Either way, I suggest you buy 2 SATA data cables.
One with straight ends on both ends, one with a right angle at one end.

Unless you've actually opened the PC up and eyeballed exactly where you're going to plug these in.

 

[Timbuktu87]

It doesn't mention how many inches it is, for example here it mentions how many inches

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

Correct. That one does not mention exactly how long it is.

Either way, I suggest you buy 2 SATA data cables.
One with straight ends on both ends, one with a right angle at one end.

Unless you've actually opened the PC up and eyeballed exactly where you're going to plug these in.

I have not opened yet.

So I should go with this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

18 inch, right angle + standard?

Or the previous one you linked me?

 

[Timbuktu87]

I might just go with the blue one, the previous one you linked me, it says 50cm so i guess thats 19 inches.

 

[USAFRet]

It doesn't mention how many inches it is, for example here it mentions how many inches

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

Correct. That one does not mention exactly how long it is.

Either way, I suggest you buy 2 SATA data cables.
One with straight ends on both ends, one with a right angle at one end.

Unless you've actually opened the PC up and eyeballed exactly where you're going to plug these in.

I have not opened yet.

So I should go with this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

18 inch, right angle + standard?

Or the previous one you linked me?

Is 18" too long?
Do you need straight ends instead? Or maybe a Left angle?

 

[Timbuktu87]

It doesn't mention how many inches it is, for example here it mentions how many inches

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

Correct. That one does not mention exactly how long it is.

Either way, I suggest you buy 2 SATA data cables.
One with straight ends on both ends, one with a right angle at one end.

Unless you've actually opened the PC up and eyeballed exactly where you're going to plug these in.

I have not opened yet.

So I should go with this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Right-Angle-Serial-SATA18RA1/dp/B0001Y8UI4?th=1

18 inch, right angle + standard?

Or the previous one you linked me?

Is 18" too long?
Do you need straight ends instead? Or maybe a Left angle?

I don't know really, as I just want to snap it in like the boot drive, at the back of the mobo.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/corsair-obsidian-450d-review,8.html

 

[USAFRet]

I don't know really, as I just want to snap it in like the boot drive, at the back of the mobo.

Exactly.
From your earlier pic, that end will be a straight end.
The other end...that connects to the motherboard...unknown. Straight, left, right...?

 

[Timbuktu87]

I don't know really, as I just want to snap it in like the boot drive, at the back of the mobo.

Exactly.
From your earlier pic, that end will be a straight end.
The other end...that connects to the motherboard...unknown. Straight, left, right...?

I don't know sadly. have to make a gamble on what to buy.

 

[USAFRet]

Looking at your motherboard:
http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z170A-X13.1/index.asp

It will almost certainly accept a straight connector at both ends.

 

[Timbuktu87]

Looking at your motherboard:
http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z170A-X13.1/index.asp

It will almost certainly accept a straight connector at both ends.

sounds great! Will order now if all is ok?

 

[USAFRet]

sounds great! Will order now if all is ok?

Yes, buy it.

 

[Timbuktu87]

Looking at your motherboard:
http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z170A-X13.1/index.asp

It will almost certainly accept a straight connector at both ends.

can I add 1 more 8gb stick to my ram configuration or it won't work?

 

[USAFRet]

can I add 1 more 8gb stick to my ram configuration or it won't work?

Maybe.
Mixing RAM sticks, even of the same brand and size, is always a crapshoot.

 

[Timbuktu87]

can I add 1 more 8gb stick to my ram configuration or it won't work?

Maybe.
Mixing RAM sticks, even of the same brand and size, is always a crapshoot.

Actually i'm not mixing, I happened to find the exact RAM model I currently have in my mobo.

Currently I have 2x 8gb ddr4 sticks so 16gb kit in dual channel. They take up 2 ram slots on my mobo currently. So I have 2 free slots open.

I wanted 24gb ram so I found an exact same model which is 1 stick 8gb ddr4, exact same model etc.

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820232305

Above are the ones I currently have installed, but they are the 2x 8gb kit, so total 16gb and I bought just 1 more 8gb stick.

 

[USAFRet]

Actually i'm not mixing, I happened to find the exact RAM model I currently have in my mobo.

Currently I have 2x 8gb ddr4 sticks so 16gb kit in dual channel. They take up 2 ram slots on my mobo currently. So I have 2 free slots open.

I wanted 24gb ram so I found an exact same model which is 1 stick 8gb ddr4, exact same model etc.

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820232305

Above are the ones I currently have installed, but they are the 2x 8gb kit, so total 16gb and I bought just 1 more 8gb stick.

That's still "mixing", although to a lesser extent.
Unless bought as an actual set, it may or may not work.
The same make/model/size bought today may not come from the same factory as was bought 6 months ago.

 

[Timbuktu87]

Actually i'm not mixing, I happened to find the exact RAM model I currently have in my mobo.

Currently I have 2x 8gb ddr4 sticks so 16gb kit in dual channel. They take up 2 ram slots on my mobo currently. So I have 2 free slots open.

I wanted 24gb ram so I found an exact same model which is 1 stick 8gb ddr4, exact same model etc.

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820232305

Above are the ones I currently have installed, but they are the 2x 8gb kit, so total 16gb and I bought just 1 more 8gb stick.

That's still "mixing", although to a lesser extent.
Unless bought as an actual set, it may or may not work.
The same make/model/size bought today may not come from the same factory as was bought 6 months ago.

so should I cancel my order?

 

[USAFRet]

so should I cancel my order?

Up to you.
Have you run into a limit at the current 16GB? If not, adding another 8 won't help any.

 

[Timbuktu87]

so should I cancel my order?

Up to you.
Have you run into a limit at the current 16GB? If not, adding another 8 won't help any.

Yeah, Star Citizen uses more than 16, around 18gb for me and that's the reason I need more RAM.

I don't know, if it won't work then I will cancel order. What's point of buying if not work?

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah, Star Citizen uses more than 16, around 18gb for me and that's the reason I need more RAM.

I don't know, if it won't work then I will cancel order. What's point of buying if not work?

It might work, it will probably work.
Probably. There is no 100% 'yes'.

 

[Timbuktu87]

Yeah, Star Citizen uses more than 16, around 18gb for me and that's the reason I need more RAM.

I don't know, if it won't work then I will cancel order. What's point of buying if not work?

It might work, it will probably work.
Probably. There is no 100% 'yes'.

the current ram is in place slot 1 and 3, slot 2 and 4 are empty, where would that 8gb single channel ram go just wondering?

 

[USAFRet]

the current ram is in place slot 1 and 3, slot 2 and 4 are empty, where would that 8gb single channel ram go just wondering?

Either. Makes no difference.

 

[Timbuktu87]

the current ram is in place slot 1 and 3, slot 2 and 4 are empty, where would that 8gb single channel ram go just wondering?

Either. Makes no difference.

What's your personal opinion though? Worth giving a shot with that 8gb stick or better idea to invest in 4-stick kit in future?

 

[USAFRet]

What's your personal opinion though? Worth giving a shot with that 8gb stick or better idea to invest in 4-stick kit in future?

Does your retailer have a good return policy?
For instance, if I had bought that from Amazon (US), and it failed to work...they'd take it back, no questions, within 30 days.