[SOLVED] Ugrade M.2 SATA to M.2 PCIe NVMe

[mathewjg]

I am confused about M2 SSD upgrade options for my Toshiba Satellite P50 C 18k laptop. The existing drive is a Toshiba 256Gb M2 SATA SSD.

I know that I can upgrade to a larger M2 SATA drive but the laptop spec indicates that PCIe is supported. I like the look of the Toshiba RC500 SSD but is it possible that the use of a pcie SSD will have an effect on any other PCIe items eg USB 3, graphics, Bluetooth etc, The Toshiba laptop apparently has 12 pci express lanes, configuration is 1 x 4 , 4 x 1 - not sure how they are allocated.
PCI version 3.

Will I see any improvement in loading times etc using pcie v SATA or will it cause endless agro with a higher cost?

Here is a link to the laptop full spec https://icecat.biz/p/toshiba/pspt2e-00y00wen/laptops-P50-C-18K-30031839.html

 

[geofelt]

The performance benefit of a pcie ssd compared to a sata ssd will not be all that great.
The predominant I/O on a pc is small random I/O
That differs little between sata and pcie.
Pcie shines with large sequential I/O; some 4x faster.
You might see that in a virus scan for example.
But, pcie is also more expensive.

If you are going to swap out a ssd for a larger one, and it can be a pcie drive then go ahead if your budget allows.
If you need a lot more performance you will be disappointed.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I know that I can upgrade to a larger M2 SATA drive but the laptop spec indicates that PCIe is supported.

Where exactly did you see, that PCIE M.2 drives are supported?

 

[mathewjg]

The performance benefit of a pcie ssd compared to a sata ssd will not be all that great.
The predominant I/O on a pc is small random I/O
That differs little between sata and pcie.
Pcie shines with large sequential I/O; some 4x faster.
You might see that in a virus scan for example.
But, pcie is also more expensive.

If you are going to swap out a ssd for a larger one, and it can be a pcie drive then go ahead if your budget allows.
If you need a lot more performance you will be disappointed.

Thanks for the swift reply. I do use some large files for multitrack audio (Cubase) but not that often recently. do you think the PCIe SSD will be compatible? I have read some conflicting reports although most seem to infer that there should not be any problems

 

[USAFRet]

Will I see any improvement in loading times etc using pcie v SATA or will it cause endless agro with a higher cost?

HDD -> SATA SSD = huge benefit.
SATA SSD -> NVMe SSD = not so huge.

We are getting deep into diminishing benefit.

Don't be taken in by the large Sequential difference between SATA III and NVMe.
Most of the benefit of an SSD is the near instantaneous access time. There, both SSD types are fast.

 

[mathewjg]

Where exactly did you see, that PCIE M.2 drives are supported?

Sorry - that was badly worded! I have read elsewhere that M2 can support SATA as well as PCIe but I would definitely appreciate any more concrete info on that! The laptop supports PCIe but I dont know if that extends to SSD's

 

[SkyNetRising]

M.2 slot can support sata and pcie drives.
But that does not necessary mean, M.2 slot in your your particular laptop supports both of them.
It may support sata M.2 drives only.

 

[USAFRet]

Sorry - that was badly worded! I have read elsewhere that M2 can support SATA as well as PCIe but I would definitely appreciate any more concrete info on that! The laptop supports PCIe but I dont know if that extends to SSD's

"M.2" is simply the format. How the thing plugs in.
A particular laptop or motherboard may or may not support either or both types of SSD...SATA III or NVMe.
Or neither...an M.2 port can also support a WiFi device.

You need to verify if YOUR specific laptop can utilize an M.2 NVMe drive in that port.
Even among the same theoretical "model" may not.

 

[geofelt]

M.2 is a size format. About like a stick of gum.
A m.2 ssd can be either sata or pcie.
The crucial site only shows sata ssd devices for your laptop.
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/toshiba/satellite-p50-c-18k#ssd

 

[mathewjg]

M.2 is a size format. About like a stick of gum.
A m.2 ssd can be either sata or pcie.
The crucial site only shows sata ssd devices for your laptop.
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/toshiba/satellite-p50-c-18k#ssd

Is there any way other than checking the Crucial website to find out whether my laptop will support PCIe SSDs (even though I am going off the idea) Would the M2 socket have a different pin arrangement. Unfortunately Toshiba do not exist in the UK for computing and even when they did, support was sub contracted to a 3rd party. I have sent a message to the new company that handles Toshiba SSDs - Kioxia so perhaps they will get back to me.

 

[USAFRet]

Is there any way other than checking the Crucial website to find out whether my laptop will support PCIe SSDs (even though I am going off the idea) Would the M2 socket have a different pin arrangement. Unfortunately Toshiba do not exist in the UK for computing and even when they did, support was sub contracted to a 3rd party. I have sent a message to the new company that handles Toshiba SSDs - Kioxia so perhaps they will get back to me.

If an NVMe/PCIe drive were compatible, the Crucial site would also list their P1.
Since they don't, and in absence of anything from Toshiba saying Yes, I'd strongly lean to....it won't work.

And whatever reply you get from the first line helpdesk at Tosh (or their subsidiary) will be...unsatisfying.

 

[mathewjg]

If an NVMe/PCIe drive were compatible, the Crucial site would also list their P1.
Since they don't, and in absence of anything from Toshiba saying Yes, I'd strongly lean to....it won't work.

And whatever reply you get from the first line helpdesk at Tosh (or their subsidiary) will be...unsatisfying.

Thats it! Definitely not going down that hole. Probably go for a Samsung - at least they are still in business in the UK and the evo 860 seems to be well respected. Many thanks for the no nonsense answers. Much appreciated

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, the 860 is a good drive. Top tier.
I have 2, in the 2.5" format.

 

[geofelt]

If you will be buying a samsung ssd, you can use their ssd migration app to copy your windows C drive to a larger ssd.

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

www.samsung.com

If you only have one m.2 slot, you will need to buy a usb to m.2 adapter cable to do the copy.
When done, just replace the drive.