[SOLVED] SSD on PCI-E 2.0 1X adapter, will it work?

[TonyDexter]

I'm looking to add another SSD to my PC. The motherboard is MSI B350M PRO-VDH. It has only one M.2 slot (already used) so I need to find another way. The PSU has two power slots to HDDs (also both already used), so I can't add a 2,5 SATA SSD as well. So my questions are:

• Can I use PCI-E 2.0 1X adapter for M.2 SSD? If yes, will the speed suffer?
• what about external SSDs. Will their speed be much lower compared to 2,5 SATA SSD due to USB limitations?

Thanks.

 

[Barty1884]

• Can I use PCI-E 2.0 1X adapter for M.2 SSD? If yes, will the speed suffer?

Can you? I don't see what not.

Speeds though...
Generally, newer PCIe SSDs are 3.0 x4, and can (at least theoretically) come close to saturating.
2.0 x1 is 500MB/s vs 3.0 x4 at 3940MB/s

Given SATA 3 maxes at 600MB/s, you're looking at lesser performance than a 2.5" SSD.

• what about external SSDs. Will their speed be much lower compared to 2,5 SATA SSD due to USB limitations?

I would expect, even accounting for USB overhead, that your end result speeds would be similar (internal 2.0 x1 PCIe vs external USB Sata-based SSD).

The PSU has two power slots to HDDs

Which PSU do you have? I can't think of any recent, half-decent PSU that would only have 2x SATA connectors? Usually they're 'chains' of connectors, 2-3 connectors to each 'chain'. Given that, and the fact 2.5" SSDs have no moving parts & do not have to be secured, you could likely make a 2.5" SSD 'fit' somewhere along that chain....

 

[ex_bubblehead]

You can extend the power rail for additional drives (up to 2 in this case). No need to be using USB in this situatiion.

 

[TonyDexter]

Which PSU do you have? I can't think of any recent, half-decent PSU that would only have 2x SATA connectors? Usually they're 'chains' of connectors, 2-3 connectors to each 'chain'. Given that, and the fact 2.5" SSDs have no moving parts & do not have to be secured, you could likely make a 2.5" SSD 'fit' somewhere along that chain....

You are right, I have 4. Cable management is just too good sometimes )

Clearly using an adapter was another solution, but not needed as it turns out.
Thanks of replies.