Question SSD/M.2 Recommendation and M.2 Questions

farmfowls

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Jul 23, 2014
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I'm looking to get an M.2 or a new SSD to add as faster storage. I currently have Windows on a 500gb SSD and have 2 other HDD's for storage. It'd be easier to install an M.2 as I've misplaced my C70's second hard drive cage and would have to buy another sata cable as well - but if I could get extra capacity for the same'ish price then I'd go SSD. But I'm looking to add either an M.2 drive or an SSD for faster storage and to run games off of ( Skyrim SSE with Elysium level mod lists, Rockstar games etc etc) and am looking for recommendations. Mostly I'm trying to stay in the $200 range so my guess is I'll have to settle with a 1TB for now (although I found this one but not sure if it's just a cheapo: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product...2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-aswordfish-2t-c). Any suggestions would be very helpful. I'm also located in Canada.

Build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NXc3gb


My additional question is, what issues/complications would there be to install an M.2 in my Maximus X Hero (Wifi)? If I installed in the M.2 slot below the GPU, would I have to switch around my sata configuration?
Pictures of Motherboard Manual:
View: https://imgur.com/a/ZGoG76W
 

farmfowls

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Jul 23, 2014
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Personally, I would avoid ADATA.

Seen far too many fail reports in here. Far more than other brands.
Ah damn. That's why I asked though! Thanks for the heads up. Would you know of any alternatives or do you have any recommendations for me M.2/SSd wise? If I can stay near $200 and get 2TB that would be great but I think I'll have to be limited to 1TB. But I want a good drive all around that can run games on it quickly.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
What is the main use for this system?
And what specifically for this drive?

Given this motherboard:

Any regular PCIe 3.0 NVMe drive or SATA III drive will work.

(assuming USA purchase)
Samsung 970 EVO Plus, 2TB.
$190.
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S1T0B/dp/B07MFZXR1B
 
I'm looking to get an M.2 or a new SSD to add as faster storage. I currently have Windows on a 500gb SSD and have 2 other HDD's for storage. It'd be easier to install an M.2 as I've misplaced my C70's second hard drive cage and would have to buy another sata cable as well - but if I could get extra capacity for the same'ish price then I'd go SSD. But I'm looking to add either an M.2 drive or an SSD for faster storage and to run games off of ( Skyrim SSE with Elysium level mod lists, Rockstar games etc etc) and am looking for recommendations. Mostly I'm trying to stay in the $200 range so my guess is I'll have to settle with a 1TB for now (although I found this one but not sure if it's just a cheapo: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product...2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-aswordfish-2t-c). Any suggestions would be very helpful. I'm also located in Canada.

Build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NXc3gb


My additional question is, what issues/complications would there be to install an M.2 in my Maximus X Hero (Wifi)? If I installed in the M.2 slot below the GPU, would I have to switch around my sata configuration?
Pictures of Motherboard Manual:
View: https://imgur.com/a/ZGoG76W
Are you trying to add storage or you just want to make storage faster?

What size are the hdd's?
 

Inthrutheoutdoor

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Feb 17, 2019
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WD 4 Me!

Specifically the SN750 m.2 in Gen 3 or SN850 in Gen 4....I have several of each and have always had great performance from them nevanottaproblemo....

Both have shown to be among the fastest m.2's available and have great reliability too...

However, Crucial and Seagate are up near the top of the ratings also :)