[SOLVED] Installing a M.2 SSD

[Avyda]

So soon I am going to be getting a M.2 SSD and I want to know what to expect to do. I already have a gaming PC that I built and I don't know if i have to unplug anything before I install it or if I need to download anything to make the SSD work once it is plugged in. Can someone inform me please. And sorry if this is in the wrong section, I don't know if this question belongs in the storage or memory categories. Thank you!

 

[popatim]

Which motherboard do you have and which M2 drive did you buy?

 

[Avyda]

Which motherboard do you have and which M2 drive did you buy?

My motherboard is a B450M gaming plus, and I was thinking to get a Sabrent 256gb Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280.

 

[Avyda]

My motherboard is a B450M gaming plus, and I was thinking to get a Sabrent 256gb Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280.

I only have $40 so I was going to get that one unless you can lead me to one that is better and about the same price.

 

[popatim]

That is fine though the 256gb model doesn't come close to the advertised specs which is for the 1Tb.
The other issue is that the drive is that it does not support 512 bit sectors at all so you will be doing a completely fresh installation of windows; but that is recommended anyways.

 

[USAFRet]

So soon I am going to be getting a M.2 SSD and I want to know what to expect to do. I already have a gaming PC that I built and I don't know if i have to unplug anything before I install it or if I need to download anything to make the SSD work once it is plugged in. Can someone inform me please. And sorry if this is in the wrong section, I don't know if this question belongs in the storage or memory categories. Thank you!

What other drives do you currently have?

For a gaming PC, don't get all starry eyed over the theoretical speed of the NVMe vs a SATA III SSD.
And especially don't get an off brand 3rd rate drive.

 

[Avyda]

That is fine though the 256gb model doesn't come close to the advertised specs which is for the 1Tb.
The other issue is that the drive is that it does not support 512 bit sectors at all so you will be doing a completely fresh installation of windows; but that is recommended anyways.

So is there anything that you can recommend that is around that price range? And if it is a new installation of windows does that mean I have to buy it again?

 

[USAFRet]

You do not have to buy a Windows license again. A reinstall on a new drive in this same system will not trigger any licensing issues.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

What other drives are in this system?

 

[Avyda]

You do not have to buy a Windows license again. A reinstall on a new drive in this same system will not trigger any licensing issues.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

What other drives are in this system?

okay thanks

 

[Avyda]

You do not have to buy a Windows license again. A reinstall on a new drive in this same system will not trigger any licensing issues.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

What other drives are in this system?

But is there anything that i can get that is better and about the same price?

 

[USAFRet]

But is there anything that i can get that is better and about the same price?

$40?

Does this have to be a M.2 NVMe? If so...no, there is not a $40 drive I would buy.

For a gaming system, you won't notice any difference between that thing you linked and a good quality SATA III drive.

Crucial MX500, 250BG, $48.
https://www.newegg.com/crucial-mx500-250gb/p/N82E16820156172

 

[Avyda]

$40?

Does this have to be a M.2 NVMe? If so...no, there is not a $40 drive I would buy.

For a gaming system, you won't notice any difference between that thing you linked and a good quality SATA III drive.

Crucial MX500, 250BG, $48.
https://www.newegg.com/crucial-mx500-250gb/p/N82E16820156172

So my best choice is probably just saving for a good Samsung one or something?

 

[USAFRet]

So my best choice is probably just saving for a good Samsung one or something?

Samsung 860 EVO or Crucial MX500, whichever is least expensive.

 

[Avyda]

Samsung 860 EVO or Crucial MX500, whichever is least expensive.

Would you say m.2 drives are considered to be better and others or about the same?

 

[USAFRet]

Would you say m.2 drives are considered to be better and others or about the same?

Better at what?
Remember...M.2 is simply the format. How it connects.
A Samsung 860 EVO is the same whether it is in 2.5" format or M.2 format.

 

[Avyda]

Better at what?
Remember...M.2 is simply the format. How it connects.
A Samsung 860 EVO is the same whether it is in 2.5" format or M.2 format.

oh got it, I understand now.