[SOLVED] M.2 Sata SSD

[ssilviu250]

Hi there. I plan on getting this SSD - WD NEW Green 240GB SATA-III M.2 2280. I was reading the mobo manual (MSI Z370-A PRO) and it says it's got an m.2 slot, but will this particular one fit? I heard they come in different sizes so i am not sure. Also is there anything special i need to do after i plug it in? I plan on reinstalling windows fresh on that SSD and have some apps on it. Does it require some work from the BIOS and stuff like that?

 

[AllanGH]

The M.2 slot width and pin count is the same across all sizes appropriate for a desktop motherboard. The variable is the length, and there are three different lengths which your chosen mother board does support.

Just make certain that your NVMe drive is in the boot sequence in BIOS, after your boot method for installing windows (DVD drive, USB, whatever) and you should be fine to do the installation.

 

[Fix_that_Glitch]

This will fit your motherboard. Just make sure you have a set in screw to keep it in place. Since you will be using the m2 as your platform for your os, you will have to change the boot option to the m2 device in bios settings. Since it is a sata device make sure you have it set to ahci mode in bios.

 

[ssilviu250]

I already have this SSD - SSD ADATA SU800 256GB SATA-III 2.5 inch, and it boots up from this one. Does that mean that the ahci function is turned on in general, or only for this particular SSD i already have installed, or it might not be turned on at all?

 

[Fix_that_Glitch]

I would think if it is running fine you probably are already in ahci mode, but won't hurt in checking. Make sure you disconnect all hd's before you boot up with the new m2.

 

[ssilviu250]

I just checked the bios, apparently i'm in the AHCI mode. So what your saying is that i should unplug my storage devices, currently only one HDD and one SSD, then plug the new one, set up the boot option so it boots up from it and then install windows, and when the installation is done plug the "old" ones back in?
What about the M.2/Optane Genie? Is it worth turning on after i get the M.2 sata SSD on, or should i leave it untouched?

https://imgur.com/a/dJxsgU3

View: https://imgur.com/a/dJxsgU3

 

[popatim]

I would leave the Su800 as the boot drive. It's actually faster then the WD Green SSD. The WD Blue 3d is their next fastest SSD, but like the Green it is still just a Sata drive, and the WD Black is their fastest and it is NVME.

Remember - plugging in a Sata M.2 drive in the M.2 slot disables the Sata 1 port on the motherboard.

Since the Blue seems to be almost the same price, get it instead would be my recommendation.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, that motherboard supports that m.2 SATA drive.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z370-A-PRO/Specification
1 x M.2 slot (Key M)
Support up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s

"The SATA1 port will become unavailable when M.2 SATA SSD has been installed in M.2 slot "

So, if your current ADATA drive is in SATA 1, you'd have to move it.


However, that "WD Green" is a substantially subpar SSD. Being M.2 confers no speed benefit. It is still SATA III.
And among SATA drives, it is on the low end of performance.

 

[USAFRet]

What about the M.2/Optane Genie?

Leave that alone. It has nothing to do with your devices.

 

[ssilviu250]

Thank you all for your answers. So i figured since this m.2 sata ssd is not that great, i might aswell buy a 2.5 ssd instead, and leave the m.2 slot empty for the future when i'll get a proper one as i dont have the funds right now. I think this one (ADATA Ultimate SU650 240GB SATA-III 2.5) will do for windows and app, and i'll have the SU800 for games.