I inserted an NVME m.2 SSD in a SATA m.2 slot on a motherboard that only accepts SATA; potential damage?

[atariman72]

Hi all, I recently got a new laptop (Dell Inspiron 15 5576), and I decided to perform some upgrades to it. Knowing that it accepts m.2 SSDs, I bought a Samsung 960 EVO drive (250GB) and installed it per the manufacturer's instructions. However, having never installed an m.2 SSD before, I did not know the difference in interface between the SATA and NVME interfaces. While the Evo installed physically, it was not detected within Windows, nor through the BIOS. I then proceeded to flash the latest BIOS and update all the firmwares for the laptop (assuming that was the issue). After it still not being detected, I then used Samsung's bootable firmware installation tool to see if it needed to be updated. I booted from the USB utility, and it was unable to detect any Samsung m.2 drives. After much deliberation and research, I realized that the Inspiron 15 5576 ONLY supports SATA m.2 SSDs. While relieved that I had finally found the issue, my concern then became whether the installation of the NVME SSD in a slot that only suports the SATA interface could have any detrimental effects on the NVME SSD, the motherboard, or both. I intend to install a SATA m.2 SSD into the laptop, but I am concerned that by having installed the NVME drive I could have damaged the slot, rendering it inoperable. Has anyone ever done this before, and if so, does it in fact damage anything? Or will it function normally?

 

[svan71]

Hi all, I recently got a new laptop (Dell Inspiron 15 5576), and I decided to perform some upgrades to it. Knowing that it accepts m.2 SSDs, I bought a Samsung 960 EVO drive (250GB) and installed it per the manufacturer's instructions. However, having never installed an m.2 SSD before, I did not know the difference in interface between the SATA and NVME interfaces. While the Evo installed physically, it was not detected within Windows, nor through the BIOS. I then proceeded to flash the latest BIOS and update all the firmwares for the laptop (assuming that was the issue). After it still not being detected, I then used Samsung's bootable firmware installation tool to see if it needed to be updated. I booted from the USB utility, and it was unable to detect any Samsung m.2 drives. After much deliberation and research, I realized that the Inspiron 15 5576 ONLY supports SATA m.2 SSDs. While relieved that I had finally found the issue, my concern then became whether the installation of the NVME SSD in a slot that only suports the SATA interface could have any detrimental effects on the NVME SSD, the motherboard, or both. I intend to install a SATA m.2 SSD into the laptop, but I am concerned that by having installed the NVME drive I could have damaged the slot, rendering it inoperable. Has anyone ever done this before, and if so, does it in fact damage anything? Or will it function normally?

 

[svan71]

The interface is the same, the only issue is lack of bios/pcie support. You did no damage,your fine.

 

[DRagor]

Rest easily. You did not damaged neither component. Electrically PCIe M.2 and SATA M.2 are exactly same, the only effect is that motherboard can't recognize PCIe drive if the slot is for SATA drives only.

 

[bigwoofer]

Thank you DRagor and svan71, THANK YOU. Same question I have. M.2 is new to me, let alone NVME.

 

[Fas_1_]

Question. I have a mid atx case there for a limited pcie amount. I use the main one (usually top) for my gtx 1070Ti but want to get a pic(e?) Adapter.to add nvme card to my board but I think these adapter.cards require the same port my GPU is in and the other PCI slots aren't what I need for the adapter card but am new to this. Does anyone know what the other PCI slots capabilities would be?

I have this board. Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H (rev. 2.0)

Thank you!